Generally, organic producers try to stay away from using insecticides. If pest pressure is bad enough, however, it is important to avoid resistance. According to Ayanava Majumdar, Extension entomologist with Auburn University, incorporating tank mixes into a grower’s spray program can help deter resistance. Majumdar says he understands most organic producers use individual organic products. “But, through years of research, …
Crop Insurance Survey
The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) needs your help! It sent out this recent release calling on growers: At the recent Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association Board of Directors meeting, the USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) discussed interest in providing a crop insurance program for several crops, including tomato, sweet corn, bell pepper, specialty pepper, cucumber, squash …
PMA Aims to ‘Grow A Healthier World’
The Produce Marketing Association (PMA) has a busy year ahead. Cathy Burns, PMA CEO, says, “In short, we’re going to grow a healthier world.” Food safety will be a big focus for PMA in 2019 and beyond. “A real barrier to growing a healthier world is if people are getting sick eating our product,” she says. During the PMA Fresh …
Two UF/IFAS Researchers Earn Prestigious Honor
Among their many accomplishments, one may be best known for trying to grow plants in space; the other, for helping growers battle bacterial spot disease of tomato. The two University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) professors have been named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Robert Ferl, a UF/IFAS professor of horticultural …
Idea Exchange Benefits Growers
Several growers traveled to LaBelle, Florida, on Tuesday to view research plots by Seminis, a Bayer company. The Seminis plots test new and existing varieties of produce, such as cucumber, squash, tomato, watermelon, pepper, lettuce and green bean. Emily Standley, brand communications manager for Bayer CropScience, says events like this are great for growers to exchange ideas and hear what …
Specialty Crops of the Andes May Have Potential for the Southeast
By Kevin M. Folta The Andes Mountains are home to great botanical diversity and are the origin of many vegetable species consumed in North America. Worldwide mainstays such as peppers, cassava, potato and tomato all have evolutionary connections to this area, from which over 200 plant species have been domesticated. The vast diversity arises from variation in geographical features, as …
Florida Strawberries Face Devastation with No Protection from Unfair Trade
WASHINGTON D.C. — The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) fails to provide effective near-term relief measures for Southeast fruit and vegetable producers. Florida is the nation’s largest producer of fresh strawberries during the winter months; however, central Mexico’s strawberry production increased fivefold from 2000 to 2017. “This exponential increase presents a clear and present danger to the sustainability of the Florida strawberry …
He Grew Up in 4-H, Now Brown Honored as ‘Friend of IFAS’
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Raised on a family farm in Orange Heights, Florida, Reggie Brown recalls taking his chickens to the Gainesville town square for a 4-H contest when he was about 9 or 10. “I won the blue ribbon. I was real proud,” Brown said. As a child, Brown immersed himself in such Florida 4-H projects. For another project, he …
FFVA’s Stuart to Trade Commission: Florida Growers Still Suffering
Cheap Mexican imports ‘decimate’ U.S. prices and market share WASHINGTON, D.C. — Farmers in Florida will continue to go out of business if the U.S. government fails to provide critical trade relief to combat cheap Mexican produce imports flooding the market, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association CEO Mike Stuart told members of the International Trade Commission on Thursday. Stuart’s testimony …
Fumigation for Fusarium Wilt in Watermelon
By Breanna Kendrick Fusarium wilt is not a new problem, but it’s a more prevalent problem now than it previously was. Once fusarium becomes established in the soil, it’s very long lived. Fusarium wilt has been a main area of research for the past 10 years for the National Watermelon Association. Josh Freeman, associate professor of horticultural sciences at the …