Areas north of Lake Okeechobee can expect increased attention as debates about water-quality issues and who should do what about them continue in South Florida. At a gathering about the Lake Okeechobee Watershed Protection Plan (LOWPP) Thursday in Okeechobee, it became apparent that the vast investments the area’s farmers, ranchers and dairy producers have been making in water-quality projects for …
The Benefits of Beneficials
For organic growers, the tools to control pests are scarce. However, using insects to fend off pests may be a good option. Ayanava Majumdar, Alabama Cooperative Extension entomologist with Auburn University, has been studying the impacts of beneficials for years and is constantly getting questions from growers about how best to use these pest management tools. Majumdar says beneficials, or …
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 …
Growing Multiple Crops on the Same Plastic Mulch
By Nathan Boyd Vegetable growers throughout the Southeast face intensive economic pressure from foreign competition, volatile markets and increased production costs. Alternative production systems are needed that reduce input costs and increase economic return. One potential approach is to grow more than one crop on the same plastic mulch. The vast majority of horticultural crops in the Southeast are grown …
Plant City’s Fancy Farms Wins 4R Advocate Award
Fancy Farms, a strawberry farm in Plant City, Florida, is one of the five winners of the Fertilizer Institute’s 4R Advocate Award for 2019. The award is being presented this week during Commodity Classic in Orlando, Florida. Dustin and Carl Grooms of Fancy Farms will be recognized, as well as Jerrod Parker of Chemical Dynamics as Fancy Farms’ fertilizer service …
Basin Management Action Plans Stalled in Florida
By Charles Barrett Regardless of your level of experience with basin management action plans (BMAPS), there are things about them everyone should know. UNDERSTANDING THE TERMS The short version is this: BMAPs are plans to restore water quality in a body of water to a level below what is considered impaired. Water bodies in Florida have been categorized based on …
Four Ag Leaders Inducted into Hall of Fame
The 40th Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame banquet took place last night in the special events hall on the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. Four distinguished ag leaders were inducted into the hall of fame. The evening began with a reception, during which agriculturalists from different industries were able to mingle and catch up with old friends. Following the reception …
The Hype on Hemp
By Abbey Taylor and Ernie Neff If you’ve ever told somebody you’re thinking about growing industrial hemp on some of your land, you’ve probably gotten raised eyebrows, smirks, chuckles or outright guffaws in response. Or someone might have said, “Great, you’re going to be growing pot! Invite me over when you get your first crop!” That fun reaction is understandable. …
Tickets Available for the Florida Ag Hall of Fame Banquet
The Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame banquet is quickly approaching. Ray Hodge, president of the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Foundation, is encouraging industry members to purchase tickets as he expects a big crowd at this year’s event. According to Hodge, the four inductees for 2019 have been great representations of Florida agriculture. “This year’s class is very diverse, but …
UF/IFAS Turfgrass Specialist Gets International Extension Award
As a child in Dodge City, Kansas, Bryan Unruh grew up in 4-H. During his first year in the organization, he attended a lawn mower safety school taught by the county agriculture agent. That summer he mowed three lawns every week. In fact, he calls himself “a product of the Cooperative Extension Service.” In high school, Unruh envisioned himself as …