By Robin Koestoyo FORT PIERCE, Fla. — The Asian citrus psyllid transmits the bacterium associated with the most serious citrus disease worldwide — and now it has a formidable enemy in a fungal pathogen. The citrus industry at its zenith was spread across about 950,000 Florida acres. Citrus greening reduced it to today’s approximate 400,000 acres. The fungus is Cordyceps …
GFVGA President: (Labor’s) an Enormous Problem Right Now
By Clint Thompson Labor reform is at the top of the list of concerns for vegetable and specialty crop producers in the Southeast. Congress needs to formulate a solution sooner rather than later, says Drew Echols, president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA). “What we need is we need our republican friends to engage the democrats on …
Hemp Unknowns a Concern for Alabama Extension Vegetable Specialist
By Clint Thompson Hemp research by Alabama Extension vegetable specialists is still in its infancy, but Joe Kemble has seen enough to not like the crop’s potential, at least for all specialty crop producers. “Honestly, I’m not sure there’s ever going to be a good time to harvest hemp. I’d like to say this is great and that everyone should …
Florida Producer: It’s Always a Chess Match This Time of Year With Strawberry Plants
By Clint Thompson The strawberry disease that has decimated plantings in Florida and Georgia has already caused some nursery plants to be destroyed. However, there are enough plants for producers to fill their quota, says Kenneth Parker, executive director of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association. “There’s not going to be a shortage of strawberry plants. Somebody said the same thing …
Hemp Pests: UF/IFAS Offers ID Tool
The first step in tackling a pest problem in hemp is proper identification. A new University of Florida (UF) Institute of Food and Agriculture Services (IFAS) hemp pest identification tool helps producers take the guesswork out of identifying some of those pests. The hemp pest identification guide, available for purchase through the UF/IFAS Extension Bookstore, includes 20 of the most …
Weekly Field Updates from Clemson Extension Agents
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in the The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Coastal Region Zack Snipes reports, “We had near perfect conditions for working in the fields this week compared to past weeks. Muscadine harvest is near complete and watermelons are beginning to be harvested. I sampled a good …
UF Citrus Breeder: Greening Inevitable for North Florida, South Georgia
By Clint Thompson It’s not a question of if citrus greening disease will be an issue for North Florida and South Georgia citrus producers but when will it be. Fred Gmitter, a University of Florida citrus breeder, believes the disease’s impact in both areas is inevitable. He shared his assessment during Thursday’s Cold Tolerant Citrus Production Workshop in Perry, Florida. …
AFVGA Set to Host Annual Conference, Trade Show
By Clint Thompson Registration is ongoing for the upcoming Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) annual conference and trade show on Nov. 18-19 in Gulf Shores, Alabama. After having last year’s conference canceled amid the coronavirus pandemic, officials and industry leaders in Alabama are excited to reunite in November, says Hunter McBrayer, executive director of the AFVGA. “We’re excited …
Disease Development: Phytophthora Root Rot a Concern in Georgia Citrus
By Clint Thompson A saturated summer across the Southeast means more potential for development of phytophthora root rot disease in citrus trees. The impact on Georgia’s young trees could be devastating, says Jonathan Oliver, (UGA) assistant professor and small fruits pathologist. Oliver implores Georgia’s citrus producers to stay vigilant in their fungicide sprays, as the wet conditions have not let …
Rising Prices Are Worrying Farmers
By Ernie Neff Rising prices are worrying Florida farmers, Gene McAvoy with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) said in a presentation this summer. McAvoy is associate director for stakeholder relations at the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center. His presentation was to the National Association of Credit Managers Statewide Agricultural & Turf Suppliers …