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By Clint Thompson Florida blueberry producers will soon have a couple of new cultivar options to consider for future seasons. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry breeder Patricio Munoz confirmed that two new cultivars will soon be available. These include “Falcon” or FL17-141 and FL19-006. He highlighted Falcon first. “It’s very high yield and highly …
By Frank Giles Technology applications in agriculture have blossomed in recent years. In irrigation, moisture sensors, weather stations and system control software are making applications much more efficient and well timed. From Citrus to Sweet Corn Several smartphone applications have been developed that can allow specialty crop growers to up their irrigation game. The University of Florida Institute of Food …
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced changes last week to the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Farm Loan Programs, effective Sept. 25, 2024 — changes that are intended to increase opportunities for farmers and ranchers to be financially viable. These improvements, part of the Enhancing Program Access and Delivery for Farm Loans rule, demonstrate USDA’s commitment to improving …
Maitland, Fla. –The trade associations that support Florida’s tomato growers, packers, and shippers have hired Robert Guenther to be their next leader. These associations include the Florida Tomato Exchange, the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange and the Florida Tomato Committee. Guenther will serve as the executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange and Florida Tomato Growers Exchange, in addition to being …
By Clint Thompson Two bioassays conducted at the University of Georgia (UGA) showed diamide insecticide resistance developing in beet armyworms. How widespread it is remains a mystery, says Stormy Sparks, UGA Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist. “That showed up last year. We’re still not sure how widespread it is. We’ve gotten reports from multiple crops, multiple people, multiple insecticides,” Sparks said. …
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson has announced that Florida farmers, ranchers, and growers impacted by Hurricane Debby will be able to apply for low-interest and interest-free loans beginning this week through the Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program. Loans can be used by eligible agriculture and aquaculture producers to restore, repair, or replace essential …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations from specialty crop stakeholders to serve on the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (FVIAC). The deadline for nominations is Sept. 3, 2024. To help industry members through the nomination process, USDA will offer the following virtual office hours via Zoom: at https://www.zoomgov.com/j/16115836517. Thursday, August 15: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. …
The impact of Hurricane Debby on the cold-hardy citrus region appears minimal, according to one industry expert. Lindy Savelle, executive director of the Georgia Citrus Association and member of the Georgia Citrus Commission, said any damage from the wind-heavy storm was limited to the younger citrus trees. Savelle has groves in Georgia’s Thomas County. Young Trees “When we get a …
By Clint Thompson Since 2019, Sweet Grown Alabama has been synonymous with marketing locally grown crops in the state. Sweet Grown Alabama Director Ellie Watson hopes to continue that expansion over the next five years and beyond. “We have been incredibly proud of the growth of Sweet Grown Alabama in just five short years, and we are continuing to gain …
The second annual Growing Together Symposium was hosted at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in early August. The event was a forum for growers and agricultural industry professionals to learn about various business-related topics. Center director Kirsten Pelz-Stelinski welcomed attendees and noted the Apopka, Florida, facility is continuing its …
