To protect crop yields and the environment, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is increasingly leveraging powerful tools such as technology driven by artificial intelligence (AI). In an effort to expedite such development, UF/IFAS will build a 19,000-square-foot AI hub at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) in Balm, about 25 miles southeast …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Weekly Field Update – 10/24/22 Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Midlands Justin Ballew reports, “Temperatures turned cool for a few days in the Midlands this past week. We had two consecutive days where the low temperature was under 35 (degrees Fahrenheit) in Lexington …
Drive-Through Field Day Gives a Glimpse at Millennium Block
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC) in Fort Pierce hosted a drive-through field day for attendees to tour its Millennium block. The grove features more than 5,500 2- and 3-year-old trees. A total of 154 new citrus scion/rootstock combinations are included in the research project. The trial has …
Dry Weather Delaying Strawberry Plantings in North Alabama
By Clint Thompson The current dry weather is delaying strawberry plantings in North Alabama, says Eric Schavey, regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama. A lack of rain this fall means growers don’t have adequate moisture to keep their beds properly shaped. Producers are more than a week behind in getting their plants in the ground as a result. “It’s slowing …
Giving Blueberries a Boost to Continue Consumption Growth
By Frank Giles The Florida Blueberry Growers Association hosted its annual short course in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida, in October. The meeting featured educational sessions ranging from optimizing pollination and marketing to chilli thrips control and new varieties. Growers were in good spirits at the meeting, despite impacts from Hurricane Ian. While some growers further south in the state took a hard …
Promotion and Marketing Critical to Florida Blueberry Industry’s Success
By Frank Giles The Florida Blueberry Growers Association hosted its annual short course in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida, in October. The meeting featured educational sessions ranging from optimizing pollination and marketing to chilli thrips control and new varieties. Growers were in good spirits at the meeting, despite impacts from Hurricane Ian. While some growers further south in the state took a hard …
Tomato Prices High Following Hurricane Ian
By Clint Thompson Tomato prices are extremely high right now. Unfortunately, there’s not much supply for growers to take advantage. “North Florida and South Georgia are probably the only domestic supply of tomatoes we’ve got for the foreseeable future,” said Josh Freeman, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) associate professor in horticultural science. Freeman estimated those …
New Date Set for Ag Labor Relations Forum
The 48th annual Agricultural Labor Relations Forum has been rescheduled following the postponement from Hurricane Ian. The labor relations forum will now be presented in a virtual format over a four-week period, beginning Tuesday, Oct. 25. The Florida Specialty Crop Foundation presents the forum. It educates agricultural employers, including growers, shippers, farm labor contractors and other employers, on compliance with Ag labor laws …
Ag Labor Relations Forum Rescheduled Following Ian
The 48th annual Agricultural Labor Relations Forum has been rescheduled following the postponement from Hurricane Ian. The forum will now be presented in a virtual format over a four-week period, beginning Tuesday, Oct. 25. The Florida Specialty Crop Foundation presents the forum. It educates agricultural employers, including growers, shippers, farm labor contractors and other employers, on compliance with Ag labor …
Florida’s Tomato Supply Good Despite Hurricane Ian
Florida’s November tomato crop will be smaller than normal due to the impact of Hurricane Ian, but Florida will remain a significant supplier from now through December. The weather since the hurricane has been ideal, allowing growers to quickly recuperate fields. This means that even those farms that sustained damage will be able to harvest a portion of their crop, according to …