Florida Blueberry Growers Support 301 Investigation

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The Florida Blueberry Growers Association (FBGA) added its voice to other agriculture producer groups in support of the Florida delegation’s Section 301 petition to protect the state’s fresh fruit and vegetable farmers from the rapidly rising onslaught of heavily subsidized Mexican produce. “Now is the time to deliver relief to domestic producers under assault from foreign imports, including blueberry growers,” …

Blueberry Growers Support Bipartisan Florida Petition on Mexican Trade Practices

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The Florida Blueberry Growers Association (FBGA) added its voice to other agriculture producer groups in support of the Florida delegation’s Section 301 petition to protect the state’s fresh fruit and vegetable farmers from the rapidly rising onslaught of heavily subsidized Mexican produce. “Now is the time to deliver relief to domestic producers under assault from foreign imports, including blueberry growers,” …

Alabama Blueberry Producers had ‘Outstanding’ Year

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By Clint Thompson Blueberry producers in the southwest part of Alabama had a better production season than some of their contemporaries in neighboring states. According to Jacob Kelley, Alabama regional Extension agent, blueberry growers in southwestern Alabama, including Mobile, Baldwin, Washington, Clarke, Monroe, Conecuh, Escambia and Butler counties, had an “outstanding” crop. The biggest advantage Alabama producers had over Florida …

Florida Organic Blueberry Production a Challenge

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By Cint Thompson Interest in organic blueberry production in Florida has waned in recent years. The late freeze event in January was not helpful in convincing growers to convert production. Phil Harmon, professor and Extension plant pathologist at the University of Florida, discusses the state of the industry in Florida. “Growers have converted a few acres in some cases to …

Georgia Citrus Growers: Be on the Lookout for Lebbeck Mealybug

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University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) specialists are alerting Georgia citrus growers about an invasive pest that’s impacting Florida’s crop. Lebbeck mealybugs have yet to navigate their way to Georgia. But it is only a matter of time, says Lauren Diepenbrock, UF/IFAS assistant professor and entomologist. “It’ll get up to Georgia probably. We’re doing our best …

Freeze Events Impacted Southeast Blueberry Producers

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By Clint Thompson Florida’s conventional blueberry growers dodged the proverbial disease bullet this past season following a late January freeze event that impacted the Southeast. Georgia’s producers were not so fortunate with a mid-March freeze event, says Phil Harmon, professor and Extension plant pathologist at the University of Florida. “The big story early in the year was the late freeze. …

Weekly Updates: Clemson Extension Agents Discuss Crops

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Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Weekly Field Update – 8/1/22 Midlands Justin Ballew reports, “It has gotten dry again in the Midlands. Scattered areas received some good rain over the weekend, but others missed it and remain badly in need. I’ve heard of …

Blueberry Cultivation in Soilless Substrates

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By Gerardo H. Nunez Blueberry production in containers filled with soilless substrates is rapidly expanding throughout the world and in the Southeast. Blueberry bushes are notorious for their strict soil requirements. They prefer well-drained, acidic soils with high organic matter. These soil characteristics are not common in many parts of the world. Thus, blueberries have traditionally been grown with soil …

Fall Blueberry Conference Scheduled for Oct. 20

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Florida blueberry growers can mark their calendars for the Florida Blueberry Growers Association’s annual Fall Conference and Trade Show, scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 20 at the Mission Inn Resort and Club in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida. Registration details will be released soon, as will information regarding the meeting’s agenda, educational sessions, sponsorship opportunities and vendor information. Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundNovember …

UGA Releases Parasitic Wasp to Control Invasive Fruit Fly

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UGA Releases Parasitic Wasp to Control Invasive Fruit Fly In a quiet field of abandoned blueberries and shrubby brush in south Georgia, Cera Jones released hundreds of tiny parasitic wasps into the thicket. They followed their natural instinct to search for a host to incubate their predatory progeny. Jones manages the University of Georgia (UGA) Small Fruit Entomology Lab under …