Florida tomato growers should mark their calendars for the upcoming Tomato Conference, scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 13, at the Labelle Civic Center in LaBelle, Florida. The conference is presented by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and the Florida Tomato Committee. Attendees will hear from industry leaders and university scientists about the latest trends and …
Protect Your Production
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 …
Action Taken Against Adverse Effect Wage Rates Rule
In late February, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) pushed through a new methodology used to determine the hourly adverse effect wage rates (AEWR) for agricultural employers. The rule became effective March 30. Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) Director of Labor Relations Jamie Fussell discussed the action’s impact on growers: IMPACT ON EMPLOYERSSimply, the new rule may mean that multiple …
UGA Extension Provides Update on San Jose Scale Management
University of Georgia (UGA) Extension cautions peach producers that San Jose scale crawlers are beginning to pick back up. Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, said in the UGA Extension Peach Blog that he anticipates the second main peak of crawler activity to occur at approximately 2,400 DD (degree days) since Feb. 1, …
Federal Assistance: Alabama Producers in 51 Counties Eligible for Disaster Assistance
By Clint Thompson A pair of March freeze events devastated fruit and vegetable crops in Alabama. Specialty crop producers in 51 counties in Alabama have been found eligible for disaster assistance from the Farm Service Agency (FSA). The U.S. Department of Agriculture included 51 counties in its recent Crop Production Loss Disaster Declaration. Primary affected areas include Baldwin, Blount, Chilton, …
Produce Food Safety Services Responds to FDA Investigations
LaGrange, Georgia — Recently issued reports from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) failed to identify sources of pathogen-related foodborne illness outbreaks, yet the investigative methodology and report conclusions yield important information for growers and packers. In a report titled “Factors Potentially Contributing to the Contamination of Cantaloupe…”, the FDA published 10 recommendation and requirements for growers of melons and …
New Grape Grower Symposium This Saturday
By Clint Thompson Producers interested in learning how to grow grapes should make plans to attend a New Grape Grower Symposium on Saturday, June 24 at the Carroll County Agricultural Education Center in Carrollton, Georgia. The symposium is for those considering the process and those in the first few years of producing grapes. It could also serve as a refresher …
Fungicide Sensitivity of Cucurbit Powdery Mildew in Charleston, SC
Clemson Plant Pathologist Tony Keinath believes Gatten, Vivando, Quintec and Procure fungicides provide the best management options for cucurbit producers managing powdery mildew. According to the The South Carolina Grower, a fungicide sensitivity bioassay was conducted between June 1 and June 10 to determine which fungicides can be used against the current outbreak of powdery mildew on squash, watermelon and …
Rainy Impact: Pecan Producers Protect Your Crop Against Scab Disease
By Clint Thompson First and foremost on the minds of pecan producers in Georgia and Alabama should be prevention of any potential scab disease development following recent storms. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan specialist, discusses why this time of the production season is so important for growers to apply fungicides and protect their pecans from the disease. …
After Harvest Season: Crop Termination in Watermelon Could Help with Fusarium Wilt
By Clint Thompson What is the value of North Florida watermelon growers terminating their crop chemically when harvesting is done for the season? It could prevent further buildup of a specific pathogen, nematodes or even whitefly-vectored viruses. Producers in the Suwanee Valley Region should consider the practice, believes Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) …