Cool temperatures and wet conditions are impacting South Florida’s vegetable production. According to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, yields are way below normal. As a result, prices have been good for various crops. “Volumes have been light with yields of many items 30% to 50% of normal or less,” the hotline reported. South Florida vegetable production has numerous …
Poor Pecan Season Worse for Some Growers
A difficult pecan season was challenging for all and painful for a few. Some farmers compensated for the extremely low prices that lingered all season with bountiful harvests. However, some producers were not as fortunate. They either had a short crop or marginal crop that were amplified by some of the lowest prices producers haven’t experienced in decades. Georgia pecan …
Back-to-Back Bountiful Watermelon Seasons?
It is never too early to start thinking about watermelon season in the Southeast. After all, south Florida’s crop has been in the ground for about a month. Central Florida producers will plant in mid-February. North Florida, Alabama and Georgia are slated to start around mid-March. It is never too early to start thinking about another dream season to follow …
Cultivating a New Generation of Farmers
By Sarah Bostick Every five years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service conducts a census. The 2017 Census of Agriculture captured in numbers what we see happening all around us: Farming is changing. GREENER GROWERS One of the most notable changes is that a growing number of farms in America are run by new and beginner producers …
Be on Alert: Pecan Producers Watch Out for Ambrosia Beetles
According to the University of Georgia Extension Pecan blog, now is the time of year where producers need to be wary of ambrosia beetles. This is especially important for farmers with trees that are less than 5 years old. Winter rains mean some trees are prone to flooded conditions, where they are susceptible to ambrosia beetle attacks. Angel Acebes-Doria, University …
Wind’s Blowing: South Florida Melons Progressing Amid Adverse Conditions
South Florida watermelons have been in the ground almost a month. Plants are progressing, but today’s cooler temperatures and strong wind has one farmer concerned potential gummy stem damage. “Right now, (plants are) looking pretty good. I’m just hoping that this wind doesn’t do a lot of damage. When your line is just starting to run a little bit and …
Bell Pepper Imports Continue to Increase
One vegetable commodity at the center of an investigation pertaining to its imports from other countries was highlighted during Georgia’s Ag Forecast meeting last Friday. Greg Fonsah, University of Georgia Agribusiness Extension economist, pointed out how significantly bell pepper imports have increased over the past two decades. Statistically Speaking In 2019, 68% of bell peppers that were consumed in the …
Opportunity Awaits? Blueberry Exports to China Could Be Game Changer
While the pending International Trade Commission decision regarding the case of serious injury that imports have had against blueberry growers will be pivotal for producers in Florida and Georgia, another marketing opportunity may lie with producers capitalizing on exports to China. Greg Fonsah, University of Georgia Agribusiness Extension economist, said during Friday’s Ag Forecast meeting there is a real opportunity …
Yeast Rot in Blueberries Major Problem in 2020
A sporadic blueberry disease caused significant problems for Georgia producers in 2020. Though management options are non-existent with yeast rot, Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and small fruits pathologist, believes timely harvesting and handling of ripe fruit will help minimize instances in 2021. “It was a major problem for our rabbiteye growers. Kind of the last half, …
Whitefly Management: Don’t Get Behind in Spray Program
Insecticides are available for growers managing whitefly populations. But they need to be applied early in the season when whiteflies are young and immature. “Most of the things we use primarily target immatures. That’s where our best control is. We’ve only got a couple of products that are really good on adults,” said Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension …