By Karla Arboleda The University of Florida (UF) Blueberry Breeding and Genomics Lab recently released a new cultivar and is aiming to improve harvesting technology. Blueberry breeders look for the best quality traits in the small fruit, including yield and taste. Patricio Muñoz, an assistant professor and blueberry breeder at UF, discussed updates from the breeding program. COLOSSUS CULTIVAR “In …
Evaluating Methods to Reduce Runoff in Blueberry Beds
By Gary L. Hawkins Water and nutrients are needed items for plant growth, and blueberries are no different. However, when nutrients leach below the root zone that is a loss for the farmer. Where water tables are high and farmers use subsurface tile drains to remove excess water, mobile nutrients such as nitrogen in the form of nitrate can cause …
2019 Florida Blueberry Season Sees Success
By Karla Arboleda Florida blueberry growers had a successful year in terms of numbers for 2019. According to data from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and the Florida Blueberry Growers Association (FBGA), blueberry-growing operations have increased in acreage. Doug Phillips, blueberry Extension coordinator for UF/IFAS, said he surveyed growers to learn more about how …
New Clemson Extension Agent Specializes in Small Fruit
By Karla Arboleda A new Extension agent at Clemson University will focus on production conditions that are ideal for small fruit. Bruce McLean, a commercial horticulture agent at the Pee Dee Research and Education Center (PDREC), previously worked with small fruits for six years at North Carolina State University Extension. GRAPES AND BERRIES McLean began his work with small fruits …
Florida Blueberry Growers Association Updates
By Karla Arboleda On Oct. 25, the Florida Blueberry Growers Association (FBGA) hosted its annual short course and trade show. Researchers and growers joined the FBGA in sharing blueberry industry news. HALL OF FAME In addition to hosting a platform for updates in the Florida blueberry industry, the FBGA announced the first members of the new Florida Blueberry Hall of …
Alicia Adler Joins NABC, USHBC as Vice President
Resume Includes Securing Over $10 Million in Grant Funds for Specialty Crops (NABC) — Alicia Adler, an experienced grant writing and marketing executive who’s secured over $10 million in state and federal grant funds for U.S. specialty crops, has joined the North American Blueberry Council (NABC) and the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) as vice president. Adler brings a wealth …
Hemp, Hops and More Crops Highlight Florida Ag Expo
Farmers, nursery managers and others can get a glimpse of the latest and greatest University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research into tomatoes, strawberries, hemp, hops and ornamental plants at the annual Florida Ag Expo at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. Informative sessions will fill the day, with events running from 7:30 a.m. …
Crop Insurance Deadlines Near in Florida
Avocado, Blueberry, and Pasture, Rangeland, Forage and Apiculture Producers Need to Make Insurance Decisions Soon Tallahassee, FL (FDACS-Oct. 14, 2019) — The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (USDA RMA) are reminding Florida avocado, blueberry, pasture, rangeland, and forage (PRF) and apiculture producers that deadlines to apply for crop insurance …
Inside the University of Florida Blueberry Breeding Program
By Patricio Munoz and Doug Phillips The University of Florida (UF) blueberry breeding program has a long history of pioneering the development of southern highbush blueberries (SHB) that can thrive in Florida’s hot, humid climate. The breeding program focuses on developing varieties with high yield, good fruit quality and early ripening within a shrinking market window. The success of Florida’s …
Sneak Peek: October VSCNews Magazine
The October issue of VSCNews magazine touches on a variety of topics, including post-harvest protection, dormancy induction in blueberries and a strawberry spotlight. The Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) was created in order to promote free and fair trade of U.S. agricultural commodities. Travis Hubbs, chief of the Investigative Enforcement Branch in the PACA Division of the U.S. Department of …