Thrips populations remain at low levels across most of southern Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Thrips in Southwest Florida are unanimously at low populations. Reports include thrips in peppers, Asian bean thrips and flower thrips. They are mostly at low levels on the east coast, but there was one report of a moderate infestation on …
Citrus Sampling of Varieties Grown in Gainesville
Consumers have different tastebuds that make them prefer certain fruit more than others. What one may like, another may reject. This is especially true in the citrus industry where palate and consumer preference play a role in what varieties growers choose to produce. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) campus in Gainesville hosted a recent citrus meeting …
Growth of Specialty Crops Highlights Need for Expanded Risk Management Tools
Specialty crops including fruits, vegetables and nuts make up almost one-third of total crop sales in the United States. A large number of specialty crop acres remain uninsured, however. American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) economists examined specialty crop coverage in the latest Market Intel and found that more than 80% of the acreage of hazelnuts, kiwifruit, strawberries and lettuce remain …
State Farmers Market Hosts Pecan Day Thursday
RALEIGH – The State Farmers Market in Raleigh, North Carolina (N.C.), will host Pecan Day Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the event center located between the Farmers Building and the Market Shoppes retail building. Visitors can enjoy free samples and pick up new recipes while shopping for this holiday favorite ingredient. This event is sponsored by the …
UF Citrus Varieties Get a Taste Test in Gainesville
Consumers have different tastebuds that make them prefer certain citrus varieties and other fruit more than others. What one may like, another may reject. This is especially true in the citrus industry where palate and consumer preference play a role in what varieties growers choose to produce. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) campus in Gainesville hosted …
Watermelon Institute’s Annual Meeting Educates Producers Ahead of Season
By Clint Thompson The Suwanee Valley Watermelon Institute’s annual meeting in Fanning Springs, Florida on Thursday came at just the right time for the region’s producers. They are about a month away from breaking ground for next year’s crop. The meeting allowed them the opportunity to learn about the latest research at the University of Florida Institute of Food and …
Turnaround Times for N.C. Nematode Testing Expected to be Long
RALEIGH – The North Carolina (N.C.) Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (NCDA&CS) Nematode Assay Lab is warning growers to expect turnaround times of 15 weeks or longer for routine (predictive) nematode samples submitted this year. Samples submitted for diagnostic testing, including molecular diagnosis of guava root-knot nematode species, will be given priority. Those results should be available in around …
Florida Citrus Bud Advisories Now UnderwayÂ
Regular flower bud advisories from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) were restarted Nov. 21 and will be provided every other week through early spring. Associate Professor Tripti Vashisth provides the advisories. The advisories provide critical information about the intensity and time of citrus blooms. Growers use this information to determine when to spray for Asian citrus …
Chill Hours Lacking So Far for Peach Producers
By Clint Thompson It is still early, but University of Georgia fruit disease specialist Phil Brannen is concerned about the extended warm temperatures and their impact on peach production. “The thing I am concerned about is how warm it is. The chill hours associated with peaches right now, we just have not had cool enough weather yet to deal with …
Using Light to Control Strawberry Pest
With about 11,000 acres — mostly in west-central Florida — strawberries are worth $399 million annually in Florida. That represents 10% of the national strawberry value and most of the domestically produced winter crop in the United States. Those economic figures make it vital for the state’s strawberry growers to manage pests and diseases effectively. While producers began planting for …