The Florida Snap Bean Conference, scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 11, has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic and strict Palm Beach County regulations. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) announced the conference will be rescheduled towards the end of the growing season to provide updates on this year’s research trials. UF/IFAS hopes to schedule a …
Challenges of Florida Strawberry Production
By Clint Thompson Strawberry production in Florida is not for the faint of heart. So many challenges exist that growers must overcome to remain sustainable. Just ask Florida farmer Dustin Grooms. “If you’ve got a berry field, you’ve got a problem,” Grooms said. Grooms and other farmers are in the middle of another strawberry season. Production has increased some this …
UF Research: Environmentally Friendly Way to Control Pest in Strawberries
BALM, Fla. — University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers have discovered a more environmentally-friendly way to control the chilli thrips in strawberries. It includes using less pesticides. With a new, biological control method, farmers could save up to 5,000 gallons a year in pesticides that would be used on the crop, said Sriyanka Lahiri, a …
Looking Ahead: UF/IFAS’ Resources Help Blueberry Growers Navigate Season
By Clint Thompson Florida blueberry growers have resource tools to help them navigate through diseases and pests leading up to harvest time over the next couple of months, says Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry Extension coordinator. “We’ve got the new 2022 version of the Blueberry IPM guide that’s out. We’ve also got …
ADAMA’s Cormoran® Effective Against Larval Stages of Insect Pests
By Clint Thompson One insecticide from ADAMA could be a secret weapon for Southeast producers hoping to reduce pest pressure in various specialty crops. Cormoran® attacks the larval stages of insect pests, which makes it a vital part of a grower’s insecticidal rotation, says Jorge Menocal, territory sales representative for ADAMA. “When you refer to specialty vegetables, it’s critical to …
ABT Population Update in South Florida
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) reports that higher Asian bean thrips (ABT) populations were reported across South Florida. However, these were observed only in more mature plantings with few blooms. Insecticide applications are not recommended unless scouting indicates populations are greater than 1.0 ABT per bud or bloom. Populations reached 0.6 per bloom in …
Attention Florida Blueberry Producers: Pests, Diseases to Look Out for This Season
By Clint Thompson Florida’s blueberry crop is starting to bloom across the state. Harvests will commence in just a few months. Growers need to be mindful of multiple pests and diseases that could impact this year’s production, says Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences blueberry Extension coordinator. “The things that growers are concerned about or …
ABT Populations Vary Across South Florida
According to UF/IFAS, scouts in south Hendry County detected the highest populations of Asian bean thrips (ABT) this week. In south Hendry County, an infestation of 0.2 adult ABT per bloom were reported, though population increases could surge over the next few weeks due to many larvae present. ABT populations were up to 0.1 per bloom in the Moore Haven …
UF/IFAS GCREC Welcomes Tomlin Middle School STEM Students
Faculty, staff and students at University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) welcomed 65 seventh graders Tuesday from Tomlin Middle School in Plant City on Tuesday. The annual tour provides the students exposure to labs, greenhouses, fields and up-close demonstrations of techniques and research at the center. The morning began with …
ABT Populations Vary Across South Florida
Asian bean thrip (ABT) populations have increased in recent weeks Homestead, Florida and have been at thresholds since the beginning of the growing season. Intensive insecticide programs are needed to minimize losses, according to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). In other areas, though, populations are very low. No more than one Asian bean thrip …