Florida Watermelon Association Highlights Research Initiatives

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Research is at the heart of crop sustainability in Florida’s watermelon industry. If producers are to continue thrive with production, they require research assistance with focuses on pest and disease management. The Florida Watermelon Association (FWA) highlighted some of those key points during the Suwanee Valley Watermelon Institute meeting on Nov. 30 in Fanning Springs, Florida. Laura …

UGA CAES Leads Effort to Combat Emerging Threat to Watermelon, Cucumber Production

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

Southeast cucurbit producers face numerous challenges in production, leading to decreased profitability and less produce on grocery shelves. Weeds, insect pests and plant diseases are prominent biotic threats. Among the plant diseases, one fungus — Colletotrichum spp., which causes anthracnose — is an emerging threat to watermelon and cucumber production along the east coast. “There is a huge threat from this particular …

North Florida Watermelon Update: Increased Acres Likely in 2024

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Watermelon acreage is expected to increase next spring in the Suwanee Valley Region in North Florida. A successful 2023 season has prompted producers to consider increasing their crop when planting begins in February. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, spoke at the Suwanee …

On the Cusp of Another Season: Watermelon Institute Meeting Provides Timely Information

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Florida’s sweet and highly productive watermelon crop was the topic of conversation at the Suwanee Valley Watermelon Institute meeting in Fanning Springs, Florida, on Thursday, Nov. 30. Producers and industry leaders across the Suwanee Valley Region met to discuss production in a crop that thrived in quality and quantity this past season. Mark Warren, University of Florida …

USDA Invites Producers to Respond to Irrigation and Water Management Survey

Clint ThompsonIrrigation

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) mailed survey codes to a selected sample of irrigators across the 50 states with an invitation to respond online to the 2023 Irrigation and Water Management Survey. The survey is a special study to the 2022 Census of Agriculture and provides the only comprehensive dataset of irrigation …

Florida Ag Community Continues Work to Enhance Water Quality Management

Web AdminCitrus, Fruits, Vegetables

By Frank Giles Water quality and quantity are issues that cross all political and economic boundaries in Florida. When blue-green algae and red tides occur, they make front-page news and keep these challenges top-of-mind for all Floridians. Agriculture and the water-quality debate have been closely intertwined over the years. As a large user of water for irrigation and the need …

georgia pecan

Lingering Drought: Water Needs Continue for Pecan Crop

Web AdminIrrigation, Pecan

By Clint Thompson Pecan harvests are well underway across the Southeast. Some varieties have not reached maturity stage yet. As a result, growers should not abandon their irrigation needs, especially as the current drought lingers and worsens across Alabama and Georgia, according to last Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist, discusses …

Hurricane Idalia Recovery: Well Water Safety After Natural Disaster

Web AdminFlorida, Water

After Hurricane Idalia, is your well water safe to use? If your private well or septic system is damaged during the storm, your well water may be contaminated with harmful bacteria. To avoid getting sick, make sure you boil or disinfect your water before using it for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, cleaning wounds or cooking. Boil water for at …

Warm Gulf Waters Fuel for Idalia

Web AdminWeather

By Clint Thompson Idalia continues to churn towards the Southeast. The warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico are helping what could be a major hurricane by the time it makes landfall in Florida, develop in its path to the state’s west coast. Pam Knox, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension agricultural climatologist, discussed the warmer gulf temperatures and their impact …

Increase in North Florida Watermelon Acres is Not Guaranteed

Web AdminWatermelon

By Clint Thompson A productive and prosperous watermelon season in North Florida last spring does not guarantee increased acres next year. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, explains why one of the most successful seasons in recent memory will not necessarily lead to more watermelon acres …