Precision Application of Dry Fertilizer in Wild Blueberry Fields

Web AdminResearch, Top Posts, VSCNews magazine

By Arnold Schumann, Qamar Zaman, Hassan Chattha, Scott Read and Aitazaz Farooque The wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) is a perennial, shrubby, slow-growing plant that is native to northeastern North America. Commercial wild blueberry fields are developed by removing competing vegetation and debris from natural mixed forest, because they cannot be successfully planted. Establishment of a commercially productive field of wild …

Vegetable and Specialty Crop Seminars Pack a Punch

Web AdminFruit, Produce, Research, Top Posts, Vegetables

The 27th year of Citrus Expo is expected to be the biggest year yet with an added vegetable and specialty crop educational program. AgNet Media has always relied on University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences professionals to help create an informative program for growers. This year, Gene McAvoy, a regional vegetable Extension agent, led the efforts in …

Congressman Ted Yoho Discusses the Farm Bill

Web AdminFarm Bill, Legislative, Top Posts

Before returning to Washington, D.C., U.S. Congressman Ted Yoho stopped by AgNet Media’s Gainesville office to discuss the farm bill. The House and the Senate both passed their versions of the farm bill. Now, an appointed committee will hammer out the details of the separate bills to combine it into one. There is a massive amount of crucial policies for …

agriculture

UF Hosts Hemp Workshops for Growers, Industry in August

Web AdminIndustry News Release, Top Posts

By: Beverly James, 352-273-3566, beverlymjames@ufl.edu GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is taking the first step to introduce industrial hemp to growers and industry across the state. The UF/IFAS Industrial Hemp Pilot Project will host a series of workshops for grower and industry project partners. UF/IFAS faculty will provide an update about the …

Jack Payne on New SWFREC Director

Web AdminResearch, Top Posts

By Jack Payne, jackpayne@ufl.edu, @JackPayneIFAS Kelly Morgan is a more reliable water source than rain is. You don’t know when or if you’ll get water from the sky, but what Morgan can teach you makes every drop you have go farther. His focus on the farmer as customer is what has made him so successful as the state’s best management …

Using Peach History to Aid the Future

Web AdminPeaches, Top Posts

By Breanna Kendrick Without the accumulated knowledge and development of peach rootstocks, the Florida peach industry would not be where it is at today. There are still many challenges facing peach growers, but with the experience of people like Tom Beckman, who has 30 years of peach research under his belt, solutions will be found in the near future. Beckman …

UF ‘Dream Team’ Plans to Change Face of South Florida Ag, Natural Resources

Web AdminIndustry News Release, Research, Top Posts

Contact: Beverly James, 352-273-3566, beverlymjames@ufl.edu HOMESTEAD, Fla. – They don’t wear capes and tights, but the new University of Florida (UF) faculty members hope their research will help grow the state’s agriculture and natural resources, and stave off enemies that threaten industry. The eight scientists, based at the Tropical Research and Education Center (TREC) in Homestead, Florida, are bringing new …

Putting Australian Peaches and Raspberries to the Test

Web AdminFruit, Peaches, Research, Top Posts

By Breanna Kendrick Rachel Itle, assistant research scientist in fruit production and genetics at the University of Georgia (UGA), and Dario Chavez, assistant professor at UGA, recently spent two weeks in Australia collecting seeds from wild raspberries, peaches and citrus.  Itle and Chavez plan to use this seed collection to breed new varieties of raspberries and peaches specifically for the …

From Farmer to Legislator

Web AdminLegislative, Top Posts, VSCNews magazine

Those with deep agricultural roots in Florida and Georgia discuss their journey into the world of politics. SONNY PERDUE U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue never wanted to enter the world of politics. As a child he grew up on a diversified row crop farm close to Perry, Georgia. After high school, he attended the University of Georgia (UGA) with …

Kelly Morgan Named New Director of UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center

Web AdminIndustry News Release, Research, Top Posts

By: Beverly James, 352-273-3566, beverlymjames@ufl.edu GAINESVILLE, Fla. – As Best Management Practices Coordinator for the state, Kelly Morgan has spent years helping growers find optimum ways to irrigate and fertilize their crops to maximize results. Now, he will get the chance to coordinate even more groundbreaking research. The University of Florida has named Morgan the new director of the UF/IFAS …