By Clint Thompson Bacterial wilt disease is a relatively new problem for Florida blueberry farmers, according to Phil Harmon, professor and Extension plant pathologist at the University of Florida. He said that though the ralstonia pathogen, which causes bacterial wilt in other Florida crops like tobacco, tomato and pepper, has been around for more than 100 years, some blueberry producers …
Florida Blueberry Field Day Highlights Industry Advancements
By Ashley Robinson New blueberry varieties, management strategies and industry updates were all hot topics at the Florida Blueberry Growers Association’s (FBGA) spring field day. The sold-out event was held on March 10 at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Plant Science Research and Education Unit (PSREU) in Citra. BLUEBERRY BREEDING GRANT Patricio Munoz, assistant professor …
Mother Nature Impacting Blueberry Production
By Clint Thompson Weather has already played a factor in this year’s blueberry crop production in the Southeast. Farmers need to be wary of potential disease pressure following last week’s excessive rainfall, according to Renee Holland, University of Georgia area Extension blueberry agent in Alma, Georgia. RAINFALL ABOVE AVERAGE “With certain root-rot diseases, rain will actually help move pathogen spores …
Labor Issues Concern Fruit and Vegetable Growers
By Clint Thompson The newly signed United States-Mexico-Canada agreement (USMCA) raises almost as many questions as it answers with respect to labor costs, according to Greg Fonsah, University of Georgia agribusiness Extension economist. “The H-2A program which is in place is very expensive for the farmers, and that helps to increase the cost of production,” Fonsah said. “The good part …
House Introduces Resolution Declaring July as National Blueberry Month
(NABC) — The U.S. House has introduced a resolution recognizing the history and accomplishments of the U.S. highbush blueberry industry and seeking to declare July as National Blueberry Month. Congressmen Fred Upton (R-MI) and Sanford Bishop (D-GA) are sponsors of the resolution, deemed Resolution 882 in the House. The resolution points out that highbush blueberries have a harvested area estimated …
Blueberry Emoji Coming Soon
USHBC will provide industry resources to support the emoji’s official release later in 2020. (USHBC) — A blueberry emoji is coming in 2020, and the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) is celebrating this exciting milestone. The blueberry emoji news joins two recent announcements – Classic Blueberry as Flavor of the Year and Classic Blue as Color of the Year – that add up to …
Taking on Trade Issues
By Clint Thompson The idea of fair trade doesn’t exist for Georgia blueberry farmer Jerome Crosby. He’s hoping something can be done to rectify the situation to ensure long-term sustainability for fruit and vegetable producers. Crosby, who produces 350 acres of blueberries in Willacoochee, Georgia, was a guest panelist during a session held at this year’s Southeast Regional Fruit and …
Georgia Grown Continues to Gain Ground
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Grown program continues to expand every year and highlights products grown in the state, like blueberries, pecans, milk and Vidalia onions. Its presence at events throughout the year, like the Sunbelt Ag Expo, allows the Georgia Department of Agriculture to showcase Georgia grown products, which help make agriculture the No. 1 industry in the state. …
Fried on USTR Commitments to Seasonal Produce Protections
(FDACS) — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried offered the following statement regarding formal commitments recently made by U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer to protect American seasonal produce growers from unfair trade practices harming the industry: “While discouraging that the USMCA (U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement) and its implementing legislation lacked protections for our seasonal producers, I thank Ambassador Lighthizer for his formal commitments to …
Tips for Gall Midge Management
By Oscar Liburd and Doug Phillips Blueberry gall midge is a small fly that feeds on the floral and vegetative buds of blueberries. Reports of gall midge damage on blueberries grown in Florida have become more common in recent years. In cases where there was severe feeding injury to floral buds, the midge can significantly affect yield. DESCRIPTION AND LIFE …