By Jeff Williamson As winter approaches, blueberry plants respond to the changing environment in ways that should be addressed through management practices. Shorter days and cooler nights are environmental cues that stimulate changes in blueberry plant growth and development, such as terminal bud set and the cessation of shoot extension growth, the initiation and development of flower buds, the onset …
Breeding Better Soybeans for the Southeast
By Karla Arboleda In the deep Southeast, researchers are breeding better, drought-tolerant and protein-rich soybeans so growers can continue to market high-quality crops. Ben Fallen, a soybean breeder and assistant professor at Clemson University, works to develop varieties of soybeans that will grow with less complications. His program screens breeding lines to find favorable soybean characteristics. “We’re looking at two …
‘It’s More Than Just Work’
University of Florida Extension Agent Gene McAvoy retires. If you ask any Florida grower if they know who Gene McAvoy is, they’ll probably reply with a smile and say “yes.” That is the kind of impact McAvoy has had in his 22-year run as an Extension agent in Hendry County, Florida. On July 31, McAvoy officially retired from the University …
SmartIrrigation Apps Improve Water-Use Efficiency
By Vasileios Liakos and George Vellidis Ample water is a critical input needed to grow high-yielding, high-quality crops. Today, irrigated agriculture represents 20 percent of the total cultivated land, but contributes 40 percent of the total food produced worldwide. Due to overuse, droughts and growing demand by urban and industrial users, competition for available fresh water supplies is rapidly increasing. …
Florida Ag Commissioner Fried Meets with South Florida Farmers
Florida Agriculture Commissioner “Nikki” Fried joined a modest but representative group of south Florida farmers at Bedner Farms Wednesday near Boynton Beach, for an informal lunch and informational exchange about issues of concern to agriculture in the region. Water, weed, trade and the Department’s Fresh From Florida marketing campaign were among topics mentioned in her remarks after lunch, and she …
Some Ag Facts Left Out of New SFWMD Discussion
by Gary Cooper The brand new governing board of the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is revisiting the mission of the agency that spans 16 counties with a huge network of canals, pumps, levees and structures. Agricultural interests are concerned that this new board will adopt a mission that places the environment ahead of water supply and flood protection. …
South Florida Water: Combating Fake News with Facts and Farm Tours
In recent weeks, South Florida farmers and residents continue to grow with nervous concern about misinformation circulating about Lake Okeechobee and related regional water issues. A couple of meetings taking place in recent days in local communities around the lake exemplify the growing rumble among grassroots residents and businesses throughout the entire region, especially those in rural areas. A growing …
Hemp Industry Looking at Establishing a Trade Association
A coalition of hemp farmers, farm service companies, processors, crop insurance agents and lenders, as well as other stakeholders, are looking at possibly establishing a trade association group. The Hagstrom Report says the goal is to have an organization that represents the hemp industry in Washington, D.C. Hemp is currently used to make textiles, paper, paint, oil, biodegradable plastics, and …
Pongamia: A Crop to Consider
As citrus greening disease continues to challenge the Florida citrus industry, many growers are looking toward alternative crops to grow. One former citrus grower seems to have found his niche. Peter McClure, chief agricultural officer of TerViva, describes himself as a “lifelong citrus grower.” He is a fourth-generation Florida grower who has been a champion for the state’s citrus industry …
Address Plant Stress to Manage Stem Blight
By Ernie Neff Stem blight is a problem for Florida blueberry growers “because our production is so intensive and subjects our plants to plant stress,” University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension plant pathologist Phil Harmon said recently. Those stresses include “drought stress and physiological stresses that can’t be avoided due to the nature of our production,” …