By Clint Thompson The grape season has concluded or will soon end for producers in Southeast. But management continues after the final grape is harvested. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist Phil Brannen highlighted what growers should be doing this time of year and its significance heading into next season. “The biggest thing they can do and it’s …
FFVA Announces Class 12 of Emerging Leaders Program
MAITLAND, Fla. (Sept. 22, 2022) – The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) announced the selection of 14 up-and-coming agriculture industry leaders for Class 12 of its Emerging Leader Development Program. Administered by the Florida Specialty Crop Foundation, the creation of the Emerging Leader Development Program back in 2011 has provided 128 young leaders with an immersive experience on the …
Citrus Industry Seeks Support on Label Requests, Including Imidacloprid
Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM) has been working with product registrants to gather industry support for two 24(c) label requests being presented to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). REMEDIUM TIThe first request, from TJ BioTech, is related to the use of ReMedium TI via injection in citrus trees suffering from citrus greening. Research has proven oxytetracycline injection improves crop yield …
Invest 98L a Threat to Southeast?
By Clint Thompson It is still too early to predict the track that Invest 98L will take, but specialty crop producers in the Southeast should keep an eye on the storm and its potential path into the Gulf of Mexico. It will be a concern for growers in Florida, Georgia and Alabama next week. Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension …
Rethinking the way we use botanical oil-based biopesticides
Specialty crop growers are always thinking long-term to prepare for upcoming production seasons. Insecticide resistance is a concern all growers have pertaining to specific pests. Will certain chemistries against certain insects continue to be effective years from now? Some farmers are already encountering resistance issues. Michael Hull, technical services manager at Kemin Crop Technologies, speaks with growers on this subject …
Pongamia: An Alternative Crop With Great Potential In Florida
By Amir Rezazadeh To overcome economic losses from citrus greening disease, Florida citrus growers are looking for alternative crops that could be planted in their current fallow lands. Besides maintaining the ag community’s wellbeing, alternative crops should require low water and nutrient inputs in order to promote environmental sustainability. One such alternative is Pongamia pinnata, also known as pongam, a …
Emerging Leader Development Program Class 12 Announced
The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) has announced the selection of 14 up-and-coming agriculture industry leaders for Class 12 of its Emerging Leader Development Program. Administered by the Florida Specialty Crop Foundation, the creation of the Emerging Leader Development Program back in 2011 has provided 128 young leaders with an immersive experience on the many issues facing the industry …
Potential Organophosphate Ban Latest Challenge for Vegetable Producers
By Clint Thompson First chlorpyrifos. Now, potentially, all organophosphate pesticides. What’s the next resource that the Environmental Protection Agency could be petitioned to take away from specialty crop producers? “At some point it becomes a threat to the food supply,” said Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia Extension vegetable entomologist. It’s a concern for Sparks, who believes carbamates could be next. …
USDA to Issue First Pecan Forecast for ’22 Crop
ATHENS, GA – During the last week of September, pecan growers will receive a survey from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Information generated from this survey will be used to forecast pecan production for 2022. “The pecan industry is an important part of U.S. agriculture, especially in southern states and it is crucial for us …
Organophosphate Insecticides Ban? Comment Period to EPA is Sept. 25
By Clint Thompson Specialty crop producers are reminded that Sunday, Sept. 25 is the deadline to submit a comment to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about the ramifications of the potential cancellation of multiple organophosphate pesticides. Growers would lose the last broad spectrum soil insecticide in vegetables in diazinon if the cancellation goes through. It would also impact different areas …