Florida tomato growers and industry leaders have until Monday, Aug. 29 to pre-register for the upcoming Florida Tomato Conference. It is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 7, at the LaBelle Civic Center in LaBelle, Florida. The cost is free for employees of Florida tomato growers/packers, sponsors, presenters and university affiliates. The cost is $50 for other attendees. Registration after Aug. 29 …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
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, “We had a few rain events last week, and temperatures were a little cooler. Fall planted crops are growing really well right now, but due to the recent moisture, we need to pay …
OPINION: Florida Citrus is Disappearing; Why It Matters and How We’re Fighting Back
By Nicole “Nikki” Fried Florida is facing an ongoing crisis that threatens jobs, our economy, and possibly our state’s identity. Depending on your political affiliation, a whole range of threats may come to mind, however, this problem is not concerned with political parties and its consequences will reverberate across partisan lines. I am speaking of the decades long battle to …
Minimize Mite Pressure in Citrus
Hot temperatures and dry conditions in some parts of the Southeast add up to ideal conditions for mite populations to increase in citrus groves. Lauren Diepenbrock, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences assistant professor and entomologist, said citrus can tolerate some spider mite pressure. Increased pressure, though, can leave an impact. “You can handle some amount of …
Update on New HLB Treatments
By Frank Giles The Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo, held Aug. 17-18, in North Fort Myers drew growers from across Florida and beyond. Citrus growers in attendance were eager for information on HLB treatments. Rick Dantzler, chief operating officer of the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF), spoke during the general session educational seminars and provided an update on products …
USDA Moves to Protect U.S. Grapefruit
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will enforce the juice content maturity requirements on imported grapefruit. USDA will also collect the necessary data to issue a new and lasting marketing order regarding the imported grapefruit. Last fall, the USDA suspended Section 8e grapefruit juice content standards for imported grapefruit without warning. As a result, low-quality grapefruit products from abroad flooded …
Water Split in Pecan Crop Looming
University of Georgia Extension Pecan Blog Increased rainfall combined with the current stage that the pecan crop is under spells perfect conditions for water splits. University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells cautions growers in the UGA Extension Pecan Blog that they will likely see fruit split on multiple varieties over the next couple of weeks. “The problem …
Alabama Blueberry Producers had ‘Outstanding’ Year
By Clint Thompson Blueberry producers in the southwest part of Alabama had a better production season than some of their contemporaries in neighboring states. According to Jacob Kelley, Alabama regional Extension agent, blueberry growers in southwestern Alabama, including Mobile, Baldwin, Washington, Clarke, Monroe, Conecuh, Escambia and Butler counties, had an “outstanding” crop. The biggest advantage Alabama producers had over Florida …
Jumbotron Sponsor: Crop Vitality, Tessenderlo Kerley Continues Support of Expo
By Clint Thompson Another year of the Citrus and Specialty Crop Expo meant another opportunity for Crop Vitality, Tessenderlo Kerley to show its support to both industries. Zack Ogles, manager of agronomony, highlighted the importance of his company continuing to support the two-day event every year, which concludes on Thursday. “Florida agriculture is really a big piece of our business. …
Peach Management Continues in Georgia
Clint Thompson Peach production may have just concluded in Georgia, but the work never stops for the state’s growers. Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties, highlighted what producers will be doing between now and the first frost. “One of my growers just finished picking and shipping and he’ll be …