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Below you'll see everything we could locate for your search of “Growers”
By Clint Thompson Hurricane events are almost a guarantee every year for Florida specialty crop producers to contend with. Some years, specifically 2024, are worse than others. Between Debby, Helene and Milton, all of the state’s agricultural areas experienced some impact from the storms. How can Florida farmers be ready in the future to withstand the impacts of strong storms? …
By Clint Thompson Controlled-release fertilizers remain an effective and efficient way for North Florida watermelon producers to prevent leaching, specifically during the first few weeks of the season. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, has researched the system’s effectiveness. He spoke about control-released fertilizers at this …
By Clint Thompson Watermelon growers in Florida’s Suwanee Valley Region are a little more than two months away from planting next season’s crop. There’s plenty to think about and consider heading into next season, says Mark Warren, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension agent in Levy County. He discussed next year’s growing season during the …
By Clint Thompson Irrigation automation is not yet a widely adopted practice among Florida watermelon growers in the Suwanee Valley region. Tyler Pittman, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Gilchrist County Extension agent, hopes that trend will soon change. He moderated a grower panel at the recent Suwanee Valley Watermelon Institute meeting in Fanning Springs, Florida, on …
By Clint Thompson The spotted lanternfly is currently not in a Georgia county that’s heavy into grape production. Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, wants to keep it that way. Part of Georgia grape producers’ defense against the invasive species is reporting it every time it is observed. Industry experts …
Fresh vegetable imports increased significantly over the past two decades. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service Situation and Outlook Report, the percent of availability accounted for by imports in fresh vegetable increased substantially from 2000 to 2023. In 2023, the import share of fresh-market availability was 35.2%, down from the peak of 35.4% in 2022 but …
By Frank Giles Chilli thrips have been a thorn in blueberry growers’ side for several years, but the pest is now growing an appetite for strawberries. With a host range of more than 200 plants, chilli thrips has plenty of options to sustain populations and spread to other areas. In strawberries, the pest can strike early in the season and …
According to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, thrips pressure is being observed at high populations in Homestead, Florida. Dakshina Seal, entomologist at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Tropical Research and Education Center, has observed high population levels of melon thrips and Asian bean thrips on beans, cucumber and eggplant. Overall populations are …
By Clint Thompson Disaster relief assistance took too long for Southeast growers impacted by Hurricane Michael in 2018. Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) ensured his farmers that history would not repeat itself following Hurricane Helene, which moved through the region on Sept. 26-27. Ossoff’s bipartisan push helped spur the Senate to pass legislation last weekend that included $21 billion agricultural disaster …
By Kenneth Parker Committed Florida Strawberry Industry Back on Track For over a century, eastern Hillsborough County has been the cornerstone of the Florida strawberry industry. Today, the industry spans nearly 15,000 acres and contributes more than $1.5 billion to the local economy in eastern Hillsborough alone. The industry is composed of 65 farm families, many of whom have been …
