By Clint Thompson Florida’s climate allows growers to produce more than 300 different specialty crops. Unfortunately, that same environment can lead to various factors which can negatively impact production every year. Producers should prepare for the possibility every season that their crop could be impacted by weather events like hurricanes or tornadoes, as well as invasive species, plant diseases and …
Neopestalotiopsis Observed in Alabama Strawberries
The strawberry disease that has been observed in Florida and Georgia this season has now been observed in Alabama. Neopestalotiopsis leaf spot and fruit rot has been detected in two Alabama counties. The fungal disease was reported on leaves at strawberry farms in Chilton and Baldwin counties during the first couple of weeks in April. The disease is still new …
UF’s Guan Highlights Trade Deficit with Mexico During Outlook Conference
By Clint Thompson The United States’ trade deficit with Mexico regarding fresh fruits and vegetables directly impacts Florida’s specialty crop producers. With imports from Mexico intensifying in recent years, the problem has increasingly become worse, according to University of Florida (UF) associate professor Zhengfei Guan. He highlighted the problem during last week’s Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference. “We see that …
UV Light May Help Farmers Vanquish Deadly Cantaloupe Pathogen
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) scientists want to help Florida farmers and U.S. producers grow a cantaloupe to satisfy consumers’ tastes and one that’s protected against powdery mildew disease. Even with fungicides, producers struggle to control powdery mildew, a disease that can damage or kill the fruit. Thanks to UF/IFAS research, growers may now implement …
FFVA Sends Letter to EPA About TM Fungicide
The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) submitted comments last week to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in response to the agency’s proposed interim registration review decision for thiophanate-methyl (TM) fungicide. Strawberry, cucurbit vegetable, succulent bean, potato and peach producers, including FFVA members, benefit from the fungicide, as it manages and suppresses key diseases. These include white mold, crown rot, …
FFVA Submits Letter to EPA Regarding TM Fungicide
The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) submitted comments last week to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in response to the agency’s proposed interim registration review decision for thiophanate-methyl (TM) fungicide. Strawberry, cucurbit vegetable, succulent bean, potato and peach producers, including FFVA members, benefit from the fungicide, as it manages and suppresses key diseases. These include white mold, crown rot, …
Neopestalotiopsis on the Move in StrawberriesÂ
By Clint Thompson Neopestalotiopsis disease has been widespread across strawberry fields in the Southeast. It started in Florida and has continued in South Carolina. Natalia Peres, professor of plant pathology at the University of Florida/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, said the increase in disease infestations is not surprising. “It’s not surprising considering we’ve had some weather like some rain and …
Neopestalotiopsis Widespread in Southeastern Strawberries
By Clint Thompson Neopestalotiopsis disease has been widespread across strawberry fields in the Southeast. It started in Florida and has continued in South Carolina. Natalia Peres, professor of plant pathology at the University of Florida/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, said the increase in disease infestations is not surprising. “It’s not surprising considering we’ve had some weather like some …
Grower Associations Gearing Up for Farm Bill
By Clint Thompson What the future of agriculture looks like could be shaped by how discussions materialize this year in preparation for the 2023 farm bill. The farm bill’s passage will have lasting ramifications for Southeast specialty crop producers who hope to remain sustainable for the foreseeable future. For one specialty crop organization, the bill’s inclusion or exclusion of language …
Multiple Days of Sub-Freezing Temps Devastating for Southeast Specialty Crops
By Clint Thompson Specialty crop producers can usually stomach one day of sub-freezing temperatures. But four days? That was not the ideal scenario for growers across the Southeast this past weekend. It was disastrous for vegetable farmers, citrus growers and potentially strawberry producers. Prolonged temperatures in 20s over parts of the region, including South Georgia and North Florida, have been …