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By Clint Thompson Peaches in Georgia and Alabama may not be in season, but their management is a year-round job for growers. Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties, discussed the current management strategies growers should be implementing on the heels of a bumper crop. “This time of year, we’re …
By Clint Thompson The general session at this year’s Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo shined the spotlight on timely topics important to all types of growers. Farm Bill One of those topics was the farm bill, a key piece of legislation that may not be finalized by the end of this year, according to Tori Rumenik, director of commodity services …
The latest release of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows the recent rainfall has had minimal impact on the drought conditions in Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. Almost all of Alabama is experiencing some level of drought conditions; ranging from abnormally dry, starting in Mobile and Baldwin counties; all the way to extreme drought in parts of Jackson and Limestone counties …
The 2024 Florida Tomato Institute drew a large crowd of growers and other industry stakeholders to Clewiston, Florida, in early September. In addition to educational seminars and learning what’s new from industry, growers had the opportunity to meet a new leader who has come back to Florida. Robert Guenther was recently named to leadership positions for Florida’s tomato trade associations, …
By Clint Thompson Much-needed rainfall in Southwest Alabama means specialty crop growers should be wary of increased disease pressure in the region. Jacob Kelley, regional Extension agent in Southwest Alabama, cautions producers about the potential for disease buildup moving forward. “The drier weather was nice because of less disease impact. We’ve had a pretty clean year as far as diseases …
By Clint Thompson Imagine a scenario for North Florida watermelon producers where leaching of nitrogen fertilizer is greatly reduced, and labor expenses are cut significantly. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research is proving it’s not just a dream but a potential reality. Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS regional specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, is one of …
Micro-predators like viruses, nematodes, protists and some bacteria are constantly working in the soil to hunt and kill the pathogens that threaten plants. But how they do this “dirty” work is not well understood. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has awarded $3.5 million to a University of Florida Institute of Food and …
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Economic Impact Analysis Program (EIAP) assesses between $93.7 million and $263.2 million in agricultural production losses for Florida due to Hurricane Debby on Aug. 5. The preliminary report is based on surveys with producers. The Category 1 storm made landfall on Aug. 5 near Steinhatchee, Florida and affected more …
Georgia’s citrus industry is growing and so are the diverse varieties producers are planting every year. Jake Price, University of Georgia citrus agent, said at the Citrus Grower’s Summer Update meeting last week in Valdosta that there were 4,400 citrus acres planted in South Georgia. At approximately 145 trees per acre, this equates to about 638,000 trees. What started out …
Specialty crop producers wishing to comment on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) heat-related work standard have until Dec. 30 to submit a comment to the Notice of proposed rulemaking. According to the notice, which was published in the Federal Register, the Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings would apply to all employers conducting …
