When we work together, we find the best solutions, says Peter Chaires in his latest installment of “Citrus Nursery Source.”
Georgia Vegetable Grower: Supply Chain Crisis a Strain That Will Get Worse
By Clint Thompson The current supply chain crisis is putting a strain on vegetable farmers in the Southeast. It is likely to get worse before it gets better. That’s the message that Jon Schwalls, Executive Officer at Southern Valley, sent to the U.S. House Ag Committee during testimony last week. Crop protection products that growers utilize and take for granted …
‘Light’ Crop: Weather Impacts SE Pecans
By Clint Thompson Early observations from this year’s pecan harvests indicate what growers feared throughout the summer and early fall – pecan quality and yields are down this year across the Southeast. “Now we’re starting to see in these mid-season harvest varieties, we’re seeing them come out of the orchard a little light. Where it looks like they had a …
Around the Clock Care: Peach Tree Management a Year-Round Process
By Clint Thompson Peach tree management is a year-round process for Alabama producers. How growers take care of their trees after harvest and during the dormant season will impact production next year. That’s the message David Lawrence, Alabama Regional Extension Agent in central Alabama, hopes to convey to producers. “Peach production is hard in June, July and into August. The …
Cover Crops Provide Plethora of Benefits
By Clint Thompson Cover crops are widely used in Florida strawberries, not as much so in vegetable production, however. Johan Desaeger, Assistant Professor of Entomology and Nematology at the University of Florida (UF) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, would like to see that changed. “I think it’s something that would benefit a lot of crops here in Florida. Our …
Registration Ongoing for Labor Forum
By Clint Thompson Registration is still ongoing for the upcoming Georgia Agricultural Labor Relations Forum on Nov. 9-10 at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Georgia. The two-day conference will feature talks specific to the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, Department of Labor (DOL) wage and hour audits, being compliant with OSHA and DOL in the COVID-19 …
Biological Control: UF Research Testing New Measures for Mites in Blueberries
By Clint Thompson Biological applications may be Florida blueberry growers’ best management strategy for long-lasting control of mites. Oscar Liburd, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Professor and Fruit and Vegetable IPM Program leader, said resistance concerns are forcing researchers to consider alternative control measures. “One of the problems is that if we continue using the …
Citrus Q&A: UF/IFAS CREC to Host Open House, Field Day
LAKE ALFRED, Fla. — University of Florida (UF) Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) researchers want to answer questions citrus growers may have to produce a crop successfully and safely amid citrus greening disease. Citrus farmers can get those questions answered during a UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) open house and field day on Tuesday, Nov 16. …
Sweet Corn Insect Management: Scouting Important Against Fall Armyworms
By Clint Thompson Scouting remains the main key for Florida sweet corn farmers in fending off fall armyworms this season. Julien Beuzelin, a University of Florida (UF) Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) entomologist, said appropriate management of fall armyworms starts with making sure you have a problem to begin with. “For armyworms, scouting is very important because you …
AFBF Disappointed in EPA Revoking All Tolerances for Chlorpyrifos
By Clint Thompson Count the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) among those organizations disappointed with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA’s) ruling that revokes all tolerances for chlorpyrifos. The popular pesticide, also known as lorsban, is used in vegetable and specialty crop production like peaches, onions and sweet potatoes. Without chlorpyrifos’ availability, growers are left with less effective alternative products. Limited …