By Clint Thompson Interest in the new Florida Pearl strawberry, released by University of Florida strawberry breeder Vance Whitaker, is gaining momentum. It’s expected to lead to a substantial jump in acres for the upcoming season; perhaps as much as 200 acres. “The interest has been variable depending on the business model of the different growers. There definitely will be …
New Blueberry Cultivar Selection Tool
A new University of Florida (UF)/IFAS tool can help blueberry producers decide what cultivars are best for their farming operation. The UF/IFAS blueberry breeding program has developed a new cultivar module of the UF/IFAS Blueberry Growers Guide, available for download at: iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/uf-blueberry-growers-guide/id1535258711 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.austn.ss.blueberry The app includes a scouting guide that can help farmers scout their fields for diseases, …
Crops Update: Clemson Extension Agents Provide Updates Across State
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in the The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Coastal Rob Last reports, “As we mentioned last week, cucurbit downy mildew has been confirmed in cucumber crops locally. All cucurbit growers should be applying downy-mildew specific fungicides, such as Ranman tank mixed with either chlorothalonil …
SWD Impact: Management Key in Controlling Blueberry Pest
According to the University of Georgia Extension Integrated Pest Management blog, a statewide survey of the spotted wing drosophila (SWD), an invasive and costly pest of blueberries, is underway in Georgia. Its purpose is to confirm reports and to develop a distribution map throughout the state. SWD was first found in Georgia in 2010 and can cause up to 20% …
Alabama Extension Offers Weed Management Tips for Fruit Producers
By Clint Thompson Weeds can be a problem no matter what vegetable or specialty crop a farmer is producing. They contend for nutrients and water and can present major problems for a producer once harvest time arrives. Steve Li, Alabama Extension weed specialist, offered tips for Alabama fruit producers in a recent Alabama Extension Commercial Horticulture Facebook webinar. Blueberries for …
Blueberry Research: UGA Establishes New Orchard Near Main Athens Campus
Research at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) is devoted to helping blueberries continue to thrive as a “super food.” On April 26, UGA CAES Dean and Director Nick Place formally inaugurated the new blueberry orchard at the UGA Durham Horticulture Farm in Watkinsville, Georgia — a mere 10-minute drive from the main Athens …
Florida, Georgia Remain Two of Top Blueberry-Producing States
By Clint Thompson Two of the top blueberry-producing states remain Florida and Georgia. They continue to produce their share of blueberries, according to the USDA 2020 summary. Georgia was third in the country behind Washington and Michigan in harvested areas in 2020 with 16,000 acres, a decrease from 16,200 in 2019. Georgia also produced 4,640 pounds per acre. Florida produced …
Florida Ag Commissioner: Soul of our Country Built on American Farmers
If the U.S. relies on foreign markets for its food supply, it is a dangerous trend, says Florida Ag Commissioner Nikki Fried. She, like many of her farmers, believe it to be a national security issue. It needs addressing now. “We cannot afford to let our farmers go out of business and sell their land to development and then force …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in the The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Weekly Field Update-5/3/21 Coastal Rob Last reports, “Botrytis (gray mold) is evident in places following rainfall. Sanitation and removal of the infected berries are critical to reducing inoculum loading. Fungicide applications will also be required to prevent spore …
Sneak Peek: May 2021 VSCNews Magazine
By Ashley Robinson The future of weed control is here. The May issue of VSCNews Magazine provides the inside scoop on all things weed control. First up, Yiannis Ampatzidis, an assistant professor at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC) covers the future of precision weed control. …