By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon producers are still on track to take advantage of an early harvest window thanks to early plantings this year. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, said harvests should commence within the next couple of weeks. “In talking with the growers, …
Got You Covered: Desaeger Continues to Tout Cover Crops to Manage Nematodes
By Clint Thompson Cover crops remain an under-utilized but effective management option for specialty crop growers managing nematodes. Johan Desaeger, assistant professor of entomology and nematology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, touted the practice at the Florida Grower Citrus Show. “If you have the time to put in …
UF/IFAS Hosts Orchard Field Day
By Maegan Beatty Last week, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) hosted an Orchard Field Day at the Plant Science Research and Education Unit in Citra, Florida. The field day served as an educational event for commercial farmers, home gardeners and industry representatives. Attendees gathered to learn more about fruit crop diversification options. Speakers covered …
North Florida Watermelon Producers Should Guard Against Powdery Mildew
By Clint Thompson Even in the driest weather conditions, one disease can still torment watermelon producers. Powdery mildew is on the mind of Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) regional specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, and should be at the forefront of Northeast Florida growers’ management strategies. He cautions growers to apply …
UF/IFAS Hosts Orchard Field Day
By Maegan Beatty Last week, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) hosted an Orchard Field Day at the Plant Science Research and Education Unit in Citra, Florida. The field day served as an educational event for commercial farmers, home gardeners and industry representatives. Attendees gathered to learn more about fruit crop diversification options. Speakers covered …
Farm Bill Session: If You’re Not at the Table, Then You’re Probably on the Menu
By Clint Thompson If you’re not at the table, then you’re probably on the menu. That is the thought process that producers and Ag leaders have when events like a Farm Bill listening session are held. If they aren’t present to voice their concerns to legislators in charge of crafting the next Farm Bill, they could find themselves and their …
What’s the Future of Fumigation?
By Clint Thompson How specialty crop growers manage weeds when the field is not being sown is just as important as what fumigant they choose prior to planting season. Nathan Boyd, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) associate center director and professor of horticulture/weed science at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, has conducted years …
Growing Matters: BeSure! Campaign Offers Tips for Stewardship
The BeSure! campaign from the Growing Matters Coalition offers tips for growers to help protect pollinators. The coalition says when choosing crop protection tools, both effectiveness and potential impact on the environment must be considered. Protecting bees and other wildlife is a major part of good stewardship practices and is why Growing Matters launched BeSure!, an initiative to support growers and applicators in accomplishing …
Growing Matters: BeSure! Campaign Offers Tips for Stewardship
The BeSure! campaign from the Growing Matters Coalition offers tips for growers to help protect pollinators. The coalition says when choosing crop protection tools, both effectiveness and potential impact on the environment must be considered. Protecting bees and other wildlife is a major part of good stewardship practices and is why Growing Matters launched BeSure!, an initiative to support growers and applicators in accomplishing …
FSGA Pleads for Continued Investment in AI in Farm Bill
By Clint Thompson Count the Florida Strawberry Growers Association (FSGA) as one organization that voiced its concerns during last Monday’s Farm Bill listening session in Newberry, Florida. Kenneth Parker, executive director of the FSGA, focused his talk on continued research into artificial intelligence when he spoke to members of the House Committee on Agriculture. “The Farm Bill can mitigate the …