By Tacy Callies and Clint Thompson Two tracks of concurrent seminars presented by University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences specialists offered growers learning options at the Florida Ag Expo. One session focused on pest management, while the other explored novel technologies and practices. Pest Presentations In the pest management session, Gary Vallad focused on two cucurbit diseases: …
South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline: Tomato Viruses on the Rise
Tomato viruses are on the rise across the southern Florida region, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. The Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV) is up to 100% in the earliest plantings across central Florida. In Southwest Florida, some locations are reporting up to 5% of TYLCV. Along the east coast, reports of a rare plant with …
The Future of Florida Blueberries Driven by Automation
By Frank Giles Last week, the Florida Blueberry Growers Association (FBGA) hosted its annual fall meeting in Lakeland at Bonnet Springs Park and Event Center. The meeting’s education program covered a wide range of topics, including production, labor and the farm bill debate. Leonard Park, FBGA president, noted in his welcome address that last season was a struggle for Florida’s …
BigDaddy’s Farm: Cultivating an Experience
By Tacy Callies “I went to college so I wouldn’t be a farmer,” says Rex Clonts. After earning a business degree from the University of South Florida in Tampa in 1972, Rex had several job offers and wasn’t sure which one to accept. He asked his father if it would be OK if he came home and worked on the …
Quality and Automation Key to Blueberry Sustainability
By Frank Giles Ryan Atwood, co-owner of Amber Brooke Farms, has become a leading voice in Florida’s blueberry industry. He’s been an advocate for trade protection and has encouraged growers to innovate to stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving market. We asked Atwood to provide some insights into the current blueberry environment. He says he’s hoping for …
Vegetable and Specialty Crop Seminar Summaries
By Clint Thompson A plethora of topics were addressed during the vegetable and specialty crop seminar sessions at the Citrus and Specialty Crop Expo. SCOUTING ESSENTIAL Anna Mészáros, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) commercial vegetable Extension agent, kicked off the educational program by providing an update on Thrips parvispinus. She said scouting is a necessity …
Starting Clean Key to Florida Strawberry Success
By Clint Thompson Florida strawberry growers are close to planting this year’s crop. Success this season will hinge largely on how “clean” the plants are that producers get from nurseries, believes Dustin Grooms, a producer in Plant City, Florida. “Getting good plants is the beginning of it all. If you get problematic plants, you’ll fight with it all year. You …
‘Clean Plants’ Vital to Success for Florida Strawberry Growers
By Clint Thompson Florida strawberry growers are close to planting this year’s crop. Success this season will hinge largely on how “clean” the plants are that producers get from nurseries, believes Dustin Grooms, a producer in Plant City, Florida. “Getting good plants is the beginning of it all. If you get problematic plants, you’ll fight with it all year. You …
Check Out the Seminar Schedule for the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo
By Clint Thompson The agenda is finalized for next month’s Citrus and Specialty Crop Expo. The two-day event, scheduled for Aug. 16-17 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida, will feature seminar topics tailoring to citrus and specialty crop producers. Topics like Best Management Practices, thrips management, plant growth regulators and optimizing irrigation practices will be featured during sessions …
Agenda Finalized for Next Month’s Expo
By Clint Thompson The agenda is finalized for next month’s Citrus and Specialty Crop Expo. The two-day event, scheduled for Aug. 16-17 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida, will feature seminar topics tailoring to citrus and specialty crop producers. Topics like Best Management Practices, thrips management, plant growth regulators and optimizing irrigation practices will be featured during sessions …