University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) specialists are alerting Georgia citrus growers about an invasive pest that’s impacting Florida’s crop. Lebbeck mealybugs have yet to navigate their way to Georgia. But it is only a matter of time, says Lauren Diepenbrock, UF/IFAS assistant professor and entomologist. “It’ll get up to Georgia probably. We’re doing our best …
UGA Pecan Specialist: Growers Need a Good Year
By Clint Thompson Pecan producers desperately need a productive season in yields and prices following years of frustration on the heels of Hurricane Michael in 2018. The growers could get their wish. Farmers could see high yields combined with favorable market prices, which should add up to the best season in years for producers. “This year it looks like we’ve …
Food Recalls vs. Outbreaks: What Growers Need to Know
By Camila Rodrigues The number of news stories on produce recalls from retail stores and outbreaks related to contaminated food have increased in recent years. These include recent cases of hepatitis A linked to fresh strawberries and several cases of E. coli outbreaks linked to romaine lettuce. The terms “recall” and “outbreak” can be very confusing since they are commonly …
Citrus Greening and Canker Concerns for Georgia Growers
The recent Citrus Growers’ Summer Update in Valdosta, Georgia, provided growers another outlet to learn about two diseases — citrus greening and citrus canker — that could have serious ramifications on the industry’s future in Georgia. Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and small fruits pathologist, highlighted the seriousness of the discovery of both of the diseases in …
Growers Encouraged to take Farm Bill Survey
Florida specialty crop growers are encouraged to provide feedback via the House Agriculture Committee 2023 Farm Bill online feedback survey. Providing input is essential to inform federal representatives of the needs and interests of Florida’s agricultural community as Congress looks to enact major policies that will drive the food and nutrition systems for years to come. “Agriculture is the backbone …
Input Expenses Still a Concern for South Florida Growers Ahead of Fall Crop
By Clint Thompson It is a time to relax, reflect and look ahead to the fall crop if you are a vegetable farmer in South Florida. “Everybody’s pretty much on vacation in the vegetable world,” said Gene McAvoy, associate director for stakeholder relations at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Southwest Florida Research and Education Center. …
Fresh Market Tomato Growers Getting Smaller Share of Price Paid
The farm share of the retail price of fresh, field-grown tomatoes—the ratio of what tomato growers received to what consumers paid—fell from 43% in 2020 to 36% in 2021. While the national, monthly average price of such tomatoes at grocery stores fell 11 cents to $1.85 per pound in 2021, the monthly average price received by farmers simultaneously fell 16 …
Senator Ossoff Assures Pecan Growers Indian Tariffs a Top Priority
By Clint Thompson Senator Jon Ossoff’s (D-GA) visit to South Georgia a month ago yielded positive dialogue with the state’s pecan growers and industry leaders. One of the concerns that the Georgia Pecan Growers Association voiced was the high tariffs that India has imposed on U.S. pecans. A month later, Ossoff assures producers that reducing or eliminating those tariffs is …
UF/IFAS Extension to Host Vegetable Growers Meeting
South Florida vegetable growers should mark their calendars for Monday, July 11, as the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension will host a virtual meeting on fumigants and systemics. The vegetable growers meeting will be held from noon to 2 p.m. and includes presentations from various UF/IFAS specialists. Josh Freeman will discuss a systems approach …
USDA Announces Assistance for On-Farm Food Safety Expenses for Specialty Crop Growers
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced on Friday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) intends to provide up to $200 million in assistance for specialty crop producers who incur eligible on-farm food safety program expenses to obtain or renew a food safety certification in calendar years 2022 or 2023. USDA’s new Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops (FSCSC) program will …