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 …
North Florida Watermelon Producers Advised to Implement Daily Irrigation Practices
By Clint Thompson The current prolonged dry period covering most of Florida is impacting North Florida watermelons. While producers prefer drier weather, they need to ensure their crop is receiving adequate moisture. Growers need to be more diligent in making sure fields are saturated with multiple irrigation events per day while the drought persists, says Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute …
North Florida Watermelon Producers Should Implement Multiple Irrigation Events Daily
By Clint Thompson The current prolonged dry period covering most of Florida is impacting North Florida watermelons. While producers prefer drier weather, they need to ensure their crop is receiving adequate moisture. Growers need to be more diligent in making sure fields are saturated with multiple irrigation events per day while the drought persists, says Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida …
Expensive Equipment Needs for Beginner Pecan Producers
By Clint Thompson Equipment needs are an obvious and expensive component of pecan production. Southeast growers interested in producing trees need to understand that reality, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist. “For equipment on pecans, that’s one of the biggest expenses. With pecans, there are certain things you have to have if you’re going to do the …
In the Field: Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Weekly Field Update Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Statewide Tom Bilbo reports, “Cyclamen mites are another pest mite of [possible] concern for South Carolina growers and you should know what to look for as I have confirmed their presence on several farms …
Florida Peaches Expected to be Smaller This Season
By Clint Thompson Florida’s peach producers are well underway in harvesting this year’s crop. The peaches this year are undersized, due mostly to the warm spring leading up to harvest, says Jose Chaparro, associate professor in the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). “Down south in central Florida they’ve already been picking U-F Sun and U-F Best …
Thank You for a Great Florida Grower Citrus Show!
Dear Growers, Exhibitors, Sponsors, Industry Members and Friends, On behalf of AgNet Media, we sincerely appreciate the support of the exhibitors, sponsors and growers who attended the Florida Grower Citrus Show. The new location and refreshed format were a great success. The tailgate-style tradeshow was an exciting addition. We want to thank the exhibitors and sponsors. Without them, events like …
Chairman of House Committee on Ag: AEWR Change a Threat to Food Security
By Clint Thompson Looming Congressional Review Act resolutions could reverse recent changes to the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR). But it will require specialty crop producers and industry leaders speaking out against substantial pay increases that could force some farmers to close up shop. GT Thompson, chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, shared that belief during Monday’s Farm Bill …
Florida Strawberry Grower: Food, National Security Are One and the Same
By Clint Thompson Dustin Grooms is not just a fourth-generation specialty crop farmer in Plant City, Florida, he is an army veteran and proud American who recognizes the dangers this country is in if it does not prioritize providing more support to producers across the country. Grooms was one of the many speakers during Monday’s Farm Bill listening session. He …