By Clint Thompson High freight rates and limited availability have created another challenge for Southeast vegetable producers. Neil Mazal, with East Coast Farms and Vegetables in Lake Worth, Florida, said freight rates are historically high and may contribute to a quick and unprofitable season for some growers. “We’re in South Florida. Historically, I would buy a truck out of South …
South Carolina Grower: Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in the The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Weekly Field Update Coastal Rob Last reports, “On the whole, disease pressure in most crops remains low. The exception is cucurbits where we are finding powdery mildew in cucumbers as well as downy mildew. Cucurbit bacterial …
UF Strawberry Breeder: ‘Lengthening of Season Good for Industry’
By Clint Thompson A recent production trend is a positive development for Florida strawberry producers. The Sunshine State’s strawberry season is starting earlier and ending later in recent years. That’s a win for producers, said Vance Whitaker, strawberry breeder at the University of Florida Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. “There were some interesting USDA statistics that were out recently …
Protect Future Crops From Weeds During Fallow Period
By Clint Thompson It is the fallow period for much of Florida’s vegetable and specialty crop producers. It is the time every season between June and August when it is too hot to produce any crops. But that doesn’t mean producers aren’t preparing for the upcoming fall season. The fallow times of the year allow growers to protect their future …
Results From Alabama Extension Strawberry Variety Research Trials
By Clint Thompson Strawberries remain a popular fruit crop produced in Alabama. The secret to increasing its popularity may be by providing growers more variety options. “Varieties are one of the most important decisions you’re going to make in crop production,” said Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University during a …
Say Hello to the Newest Citrus Achievement Award Winner
See why Larry Black says grower expertise and scientific advancement will eventually win the day over HLB.
Vidalia Onion Agent: Set Up to Have Good Quality Supply Throughout Summer
By Clint Thompson Good harvest weather contributed to a solid Vidalia onion crop for producers this year. It should set up a steady supply of produce throughout this summer, according to Chris Tyson, University of Georgia Extension Area Onion Agent at the Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia. “I feel like we’re set up really good for …
Overwatering is Bad Too
By Clint Thompson During hot temperatures and dry conditions, the first inclination for vegetable and specialty crop producers is to water their crops. But there is such a thing as applying too much water, says Doug Chapman, Alabama Extension agent for Commercial Horticulture in North Alabama. “If you do irrigate too much, you can get into some disease issues real …
Mexican Imports Costing Georgia Veggies
By Clint Thompson Georgia vegetable producers are enjoying a productive season. It would be even better if not for imports from other countries, specifically Mexico. “Overall, all I’ve heard is that the product is good. It’s a high-quality product that we’ve got this year,” said Charles Hall, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association. “Unfortunately, in some …
Weekly Update: UF/IFAS Communication Key in Florida’s Watermelon Production
University of Florida/IFAS Extension agents provide producers key information in a timely fashion through the Weekly Watermelon Update. When an issue emerges – like gummy stem blight for example on May 10 – Bob Hochmuth, a regional specialized vegetable Extension agent and 11 other Extension agents in the Suwanee Valley region, activate an alert system that informs growers and managers …