Management Tips for North Florida Watermelon Producers

Web AdminFlorida Grower

By Clint Thompson Watermelon plants are in the ground in North Florida. Producers need to consider various management options so plants can achieve successful growth over the next few months. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, recommends that growers use a weekly Bravo or other chlorothalonil …

Florida Strawberry Farmer: Input Costs to go up 30% Next Year

Web AdminFlorida Grower

By Clint Thompson A challenging year for Florida strawberry production is expected to worsen next season. Especially if the price of oil continues to spike amid the ongoing conflict in the Ukraine, growers are likely to experience extremely high input costs entering next year’s planting season. “Anything that has to do with transportation is going up. If transportation goes up …

Blueberry Harvests Begin in Florida

Web AdminFlorida Grower

By Clint Thompson Let the harvests begin! While Florida blueberry producer Ryan Atwood began harvesting his crop last week for mature berries, next week should see an influx of harvest action. “After this cold front moves through, we’ll be hot and heavy next week,” said Atwood, who lives in Mount Dora, Florida and farms 56 acres of blueberries, manages another …

Freeze Effect: Rain This Week Should Help with Cold Weekend

Web AdminFlorida, Watermelon, Weather

Watermelon plants are in the ground in North Florida. Producers must now guard against potential sub-freezing temperatures that are in the forecast for the upcoming weekend. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, said forecasts are predicting temperatures in the low-to-mid 30s Fahrenheit. “Rain ahead of the …

Building a Brand for Cold-Hardy Citrus

Web AdminCitrus, General

A new brand name for citrus grown in Georgia, North Florida and Alabama should ensure consumers they are purchasing a quality product. Much like Georgia Grown and Fresh From Florida, Sweet Valley Citrus assures consumers and industry members that citrus grown and marketed under this label is high-quality produce. Kyli Lamar, who serves on the board of directors for the Cold Hardy …

ABT Populations Remain Low

Web AdminFlorida, Pests

Asian bean thrips (ABT) populations remain low across the South Florida region, except for a few fields in Homestead, Florida, according to University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Even though ABTs were observed in southeastern Hendry County, they were only at a rate of 0.2 per bloom. Populations are reported at less than 0.1 per bloom …

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Georgia Peach Crop to Feel Impact of Weekend Temperatures

Web AdminGeorgia, Peaches, Weather

By Clint Thompson Potential sub-freezing temperatures this weekend could impact Georgia’s peach crop, which is already blooming, and in some orchards, peaches are already on trees. Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties, discussed the impact that the forecasted temperatures will have on the state’s peach crop. “We’ve got a …

Hops: A Potential Alternative Crop for Alabama Producers

Web AdminAlabama, Hops, Research

According to Alabama Extension, research specialists will conduct a hops cultivar trial in the hop yard of the E.V. Smith Research and Extension Center in Shorter, Alabama this year. There will also be a workshop conducted at a later date, training growers on cultivar selection and crop management. The research is in response to increased interest for hops production throughout …

Georgia Blueberry Production ‘Heavy,’ Earlier Than Normal

Web AdminBerries, Georgia

By Clint Thompson                      Most of Georgia’s blueberry production survived the late January freeze and is expected to have a bumper crop when harvesting commences in a month. Chris Reighberg, Colquitt County blueberry producer, shared that assessment when discussing the aftermath of the freeze event on Jan. 30. “We didn’t have freeze protection and we may have lost 10% at most. …

Florida Farmer: Strawberry Market in Shambles

Web AdminAgri-business, Florida, Strawberry

By Clint Thompson The strawberry season is nearing an end for Florida growers. To say that producers have had their share of challenges would be an understatement. Input costs have spiraled out of control, and the strawberry market is in “shambles,” according to Matt Parke, farm manager of Parkesdale Farms in Plant City, Florida. “As an industry, I think we’re …