By Johan Desaeger Producing nematode-free plant material is one of the most important steps in nematode management. Many nematodes can hide in plant material such as tubers, bulbs, roots, cuttings and seed. The seed gall nematode (Anguina tritici), a seedborne pest infecting seed heads in wheat and rye, was the first plant-parasitic nematode ever to be described (by Needham in …
No More Satsumas: The Time Is Ripe to Diversify
South Georgia and North Florida industry leaders preached diversification to citrus growers at the Georgia Citrus Association annual conference. The event took place Feb. 28 at the University of Georgia (UGA) Tifton Conference Center. No longer should satsuma mandarins be the crop of choice for potential growers. There are other viable options for farmers to choose from, said Lindy Savelle, …
La Niña Effect: February Ends Warmer, Drier
February ended warmer than usual for most of the Southeast region, according to the University of Georgia Extension Climate and Agriculture blog. This was typical of a La Niña winter. Other than Alabama and areas near mountains, the region was also drier than normal. “The warm and dry conditions this year are contributing to the expansion of dry conditions and …
Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference 2022
The UF/IFAS food and resource economics department (FRED) Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference is back in-person this spring. The conference explains critical policy issues Florida agribusiness leaders face and provides insights on economic factors that can inform business and policy decisions. WHAT: The annual Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference. Topics include local food trends, crop outlooks and disaster assessments, and …
AgNet Media Purchases Florida Grower Magazine
In January, AgNet Media announced the acquisition of the assets of Florida Grower magazine from Meister Media Worldwide. The magazine, which began publishing in 1908, will join AgNet Media’s print brands Citrus Industry and Specialty Crop Industry. With complementary audiences and coverage of Florida’s citrus and specialty crop sectors, Florida Grower will fit hand-in-glove with AgNet Media’s offerings. “We are …
Why Florida OJ Is a Winter Wellness Win
As a Floridian, it can be easy to forget that winter isn’t all sunshine and mild temps. A quick glance at the national weather map shows frigid air and gray skies for much of the country this time of year. Add in cold and flu season on top of that – expected to be especially severe this year – and …
Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Severely Lacking in U.S. Adults
A new study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that only a small percentage of U.S. adults consume the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables. On average only 12% of U.S. adults meet fruit-intake and only 10% meet vegetable-intake recommendations outlined in the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). Low intakes may put Americans at increased risk …
Gov. DeSantis Requests USDA Disaster Declaration for Producers Impacted by Freeze
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis requested last week that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issue a Disaster Declaration for counties impacted by freezing temperatures. DeSantis also requested in his letter any assistance available under the Farm Service and other USDA programs to assist recovery efforts for agricultural producers. The letter is available here. More information about the …
Freeze Impact on Florida Peaches
By Clint Thompson Count Florida’s peaches among those crops impacted by the sub-freezing temperatures almost two weeks ago. The difference in the producers who protected their crop and those who did not was unmistakable, says Jose Chaparro, associate professor in the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). “I can tell you that anybody north of central …
Drought Conditions in Certain Areas in Southeast
By Clint Thompson Abnormally dry conditions continue to be isolated to certain parts of the Southeast, according to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. The northern part of Florida is abnormally dry. These include counties as far west as Jefferson to Duval along the Atlantic coast and as far south as Marion and Citrus counties. Portions of a few …