Disease detection picked up over the previous week in North Florida watermelons. As observations of bacterial leaf spot and Alternaria leaf spot have been confirmed, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is advising growers to scout fields more closely as a result. “Based on field visits last week, I see the greater concern and recommendation to be …
Disease Management Options for North Florida Watermelons
By Clint Thompson While disease incidences have been minimal so far in North Florida watermelons, growers would be wise to plan accordingly, says Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. Hochmuth said in his weekly email that only gummy stem blight has been observed in the Suwanee …
New Study Shows Key Strategies for Merchandising Watermelon
The National Watermelon and Promotion Board (NWPB) has announced the release of its most recent consumer research and Marketing Guide that will arm producers with information to make strategic decisions and build awareness of the opportunities within the watermelon industry. The study is entitled, “Watermelon Attitudes and Usage Research.” It delves into consumer thought patterns centered around watermelons. Its focus …
Alabama Extension Agent Highlights Current Weather Challenges Impacting Producers
By Clint Thompson Weather conditions over the past month have challenged Alabama fruit and vegetable farmers. Excessive rain delayed growers from being able to get in the fields. Neil Kelly, Alabama regional Extension agent in Southeast Alabama, highlighted that challenge his producers have faced in recent weeks. “The biggest thing is just getting fields ready; getting ready to plant. We’ve …
UF/IFAS Extension Agent: North Florida Watermelon Acres Up At Least 10%
By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon producers have the majority of this year’s crop in the ground … and there is a lot of it following a substantial increase in acres. “I think the consensus is there is an increase in acreage in this vicinity. Exactly how much? It seems like it’s 10% more,” said Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Southeast Producers Convene for Annual Conference
By Clint Thompson The Southeast Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference drew a large attendance in early January. The annual gathering provides a plethora of educational breakout sessions focused on key fruit and vegetable crops. Here’s a few highlights from those sessions. Peach Presentations Fungicide preservation is the key for Southeast peach producers in managing brown rot disease long term. Demethylation …
Sen. Tillis, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Provide Financial Relief for Producers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Thom Tillis and his colleagues recently introduced the Supporting Farm Operations Act of 2024, legislation that would revert the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) to the December 2023 rate through the end of the 2025 growing season. The AEWR in North Carolina rose 6% from $14.91 per hour to $15.81 per hour in January 2024. “With net farm …
El Niño Effect: North Florida Melon Producers Be Wary of Potential Disease Buildup
By Clint Thompson Persistent rains in the North Florida region amid the current El Niño weather pattern is a potential concern for the region’s watermelon producers. But as long as growers stay on top of their fungicide applications, any disease inoculum should be controlled, believes Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension …
Planting Season for North Florida Watermelons
By Clint Thompson The calendar may say Feb. 20 but for some watermelon growers in North Florida, it says it is planting time. “I believe that there are some that intend on starting around (Feb. 20) if the weather looks good during that period of time,” said Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional …
Increased Rains Putting Pressure on Producers Needing to Apply Plastic
By Clint Thompson Increased rainfall during December and January is placing added pressure on producers trying to prepare for their spring plantings. If conditions stay saturated, growers will be unable to complete time-sensitive tasks, says Ty Torrance, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable agent for Colquitt, Tift and Worth counties. “I spoke with a couple of different growers (last Wednesday) …