A Fair Fight for Florida Farmers

Web AdminProduce, Top Posts, VSCNews magazine

By Jack Payne New plant varieties give Florida farmers a fighting chance in an increasingly competitive global market. University of Florida (UF) public scientists give Florida growers first shot at fruit that stands up to the latest disease, survives harsh weather and catches the eye of shoppers in the produce aisle. Those plant varieties are intellectual property — inventions in …

Southeastern Strawberry Pest Problems

Web AdminPests, Strawberry, Top Posts

Strawberries are starting to make their seasonal debut in the Southeast as Florida growers begin their harvest. After the harvest is a great time to reflect on issues from the previous season and look toward the next season. Rebecca Schmidt-Jeffris, assistant professor of entomology at Clemson University, recently gave a presentation on a strawberry pest that caused problems this past …

Overuse of Specific Pesticides Reason for Chilli Thrips Problem in Strawberries

Web AdminPests, Research, Strawberry

By Clint Thompson Overuse of specific pesticides led to chilli thrips being more of a problem for Florida strawberry producers this season. Sriyanka Lahiri, assistant professor of entomology and nematology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, said pesticides should be used in rotation. “You have four products. All of …

Making Sense of Biologicals: Multiple Modes of Action for Plant Protection

Web AdminBiologicals, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson The life of a synthetic fungicide is not everlasting. Vegetable and specialty crop producers need alternatives to remain sustainable. As resistance continues to build up in different fungi, some conventional chemistries could become ineffective and obsolete. Biologicals provide growers another option with a different mechanism, says Alex Cochran, chief technology officer for Douglas Plant Health. Resistance Problem …

Increased Interest: Crop Insurance Grows for Specialty, Organic Crops

Web AdminOrganic, Top Posts

WASHINGTON – The number of specialty and organic agricultural producers who purchase insurance for their crops continues to climb. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) attributes the recent surge to its work with producers and agricultural groups to create new crop insurance options, expand and improve current options and to support local food efforts. USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) recently released …

Reports: Interest in Crop Insurance Grows for Specialty, Organic Crops

Web AdminOrganic, Top Posts

WASHINGTON, August 26, 2021 – The number of agricultural producers who purchase crop insurance for their specialty and organic crops continues to climb, which the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) attributes to its work with producers and agricultural groups in recent years to create new crop insurance options, to expand and improve current options and to support local food efforts. …

UGA Specialist: Anybody Who Got Plants From That Nursery, They’re Just Decimated

Web AdminDisease, Florida, Georgia, Strawberry, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson What started as a problem for Florida strawberry producers has developed into cause for concern for Georgia farmers. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Fruit Disease Specialist, estimates that at least 10% of Georgia’s crop is infected with Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot, though it could be as high as 20%. Bill Brim, co-owner of Lewis Taylor Farms …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Growers Giving Cover Crops a Go

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Frank Giles and Clint Thompson Farmers have planted cover crops for many years because of the agronomic benefits they provide. Due to how cropping systems are set up, adoption in specialty crops has been somewhat slower. However, cover crops are gaining interest as more growers adopt the practice. The latest National Cover Crop Survey from the Conservation Technology Information …

Lab Diagnosis Needed to Identify Phytophthora in Southeast Strawberries

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Neopestalotiopsis (Neo) disease in strawberries has garnered much of the headlines in recent years for Southeast producers. But other diseases can still leave a mark on production if growers are not careful. One, in particular, is a huge concern, says Phil Brannen, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist. “Phytophthora is still a problem. Not …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Governments, Corporations Lean in on Regenerative Agriculture

Clint ThompsonSpecialty Crop Grower Magazine

By Frank Giles Regenerative agriculture has been a buzzword that dates back to the 1980s. It has had flashes of popularity over the years and is enjoying another moment in the spotlight thanks to the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement. In December, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a $700 million Regenerative Pilot Program to help American farmers …