By Clint Thompson Alabama Extension strawberry research trials yielded two viable variety options for growers when compared to Camarosa, the market standard. Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the department of horticulture at Auburn University, led the research, evaluating five different varieties at the Chilton Regional Research and Extension Center. “The objective of this study was to …
Expo Specialty Crop Sessions Educate Growers
By Clint Thompson A highlight of the annual Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo is the seminar program that focuses on the vegetable and specialty crop industry in Florida. This year’s sessions covered a range of topics, including pest management, alternative crops that growers can take advantage of, and various other research updates from University of Florida Institute of Food and …
USTR Commits to Working Toward ‘Positive Outcome’ for Georgia’s Pecan Growers
U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), chair of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management, and Trade, received a positive response from U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Ambassador Katharine Tai, following his recent bipartisan push to the Biden Administration to work to create more favorable trade conditions for Georgia pecan growers and shellers in international markets. In her recent letter to Senator Warnock and the bipartisan …
Blueberry Growers Support Bipartisan Florida Petition on Mexican Trade Practices
The Florida Blueberry Growers Association (FBGA) added its voice to other agriculture producer groups in support of the Florida delegation’s Section 301 petition to protect the state’s fresh fruit and vegetable farmers from the rapidly rising onslaught of heavily subsidized Mexican produce. “Now is the time to deliver relief to domestic producers under assault from foreign imports, including blueberry growers,” …
Florida Growers Seeing Uptick in Stink Bug Problems
By Clint Thompson The stink bug has increasingly become problematic for Florida tomato growers. Not only must producers scout regularly to see if there are stink bugs in their fields, but they must also decipher what species is impacting their crops. That’s what makes controlling stink bugs such a challenge, says Amanda Hodges, an Extension scientist at the University of Florida …
Peak of Whitefly Pressure? Growers Hope Populations Start to Decline
By Clint Thompson Whitefly populations have spiked across the Southeast. One university specialist hopes they have peaked, and specialty crop producers will soon start seeing a decline. Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist, describes what farmers and other specialists are seeing in their fields. “We’re hoping we have peaked. The trap lines that Phillip’s (Roberts) group …
Expo Specialty Crop Sessions Educate Growers
By Clint Thompson A highlight of the annual Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo is the seminar program that focuses on the vegetable and specialty crop industry in Florida. This year’s sessions covered a range of topics, including pest management, alternative crops that growers can take advantage of, and various other research updates from University of Florida Institute of Food and …
Rains Spark Disease Fears for Pumpkin Growers in Northeast Alabama
By Clint Thompson Persistent rains in Northeast Alabama have sparked concerns about potential disease pressure among the region’s specialty crop producers, especially those pumpkin farmers. Eric Schavey, regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama, discussed the impact that potential diseases could have on his area’s pumpkin crop. “That’s one thing we do start to worry about when we start getting rain …
Florida Bamboo Growers Form an Association
By Frank Giles Bamboo is gaining momentum as a potential alternative crop in Florida. Recent developments, including improved variety selection and new infrastructure, are causing some growers to investigate the crop more closely. Responding to the interest, the Florida Bamboo Growers Association, Inc. was founded this spring. The association held its first board of directors’ election in June. Kevin Barley …
Smartphone App Links Alabama Extension to Growers
By Clint Thompson Alabama Extension has a new and improved way of communicating with its growers. The Farming Basics Phone App allows producers to access timely information in an easy and convenient format. The main page consists of various topics growers can click through, including Crops, Diseases, Insects and Weeds. The Contact function at the bottom of the App allows …