By Clint Thompson Pecan harvest season is still at least three months away, but one Georgia farmer has high hopes for the upcoming year. “I hope that we’re looking at stronger prices for the coming year. We’re still a good ways out on that. We’ve got a lot of pecans left to try to make between now and harvest. If …
Non-Factor: Whitefly Numbers Low So Far This Season
By Clint Thompson One pest that can have a devastating effect on vegetable crops in the Southeast has been a non-factor so far this production season. But that doesn’t mean growers should let their guard down against whiteflies. “We probably have the lowest populations we’ve had in several years coming out of winter vegetables, which is fantastic,” says Stormy Sparks, …
Fusarium Wilt: Disease Worse This Year Amid Cooler Spring
By Clint Thompson It wasn’t ideal conditions for most watermelon diseases this spring. But one pathogen preferred the cool temperatures. Fusarium wilt, the disease that can cause plant death if the infection is severe enough, has been spotted throughout Florida and in the South Georgia production region, said Josh Freeman, University of Florida/IFAS Associate Professor in Horticultural Science. The cooler …
Plea for Help: Ag Groups Send Letter to Senate Leaders, Want Ag Labor Reform
Close to 300 agricultural groups, including some in Alabama, Florida and Georgia, were part of an Agriculture Workforce Coalition that sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell this week, urging the passing of an agriculture labor reform bill. The letter outlined multiple challenges facing farmers. But the domestic labor shortage remains near …
Climate Change: UF Using Grant to Study Impact on Seed Development
Challenges are not uncommon for vegetable and specialty crop producers. Rising imports and high input costs are just a couple. But what about climate change? “The environment has a huge impact on plant health and reproduction,” said Alfred Huo, UF/IFAS assistant professor of plant breeding. “Plants respond to environmental cues, like temperature, to flower and reproduce in an adaptive manner. …
Commissioner Fried Comments on USDA Citrus Forecast
Tallahassee, Fla. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released updated projections[ ] for citrus production in the 2020-21 season on Thursday. The June forecast projects a 2% increase for Florida Oranges, a one million box increase to 52.7 million boxes, up from 51.7 million boxes in May. This includes a 3% increase in Florida Valencia Oranges. Florida Grapefruit production …
Rubio, Scott Urge Reimplementation of Prohibition on Chinese Citrus Imports
Florida’s two U.S. Senators implored U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack this week to re-implement a prohibition on the importation of five varieties of citrus fruits from China. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL) sent a letter to Vilsack this week in an effort to protect Florida’s citrus growers. The lletter focused on potentially exposing the state’s …
AI: UF Research Focused on Helping Strawberry Producers With Weed Control
BALM, Fla. — The future of farming is being researched today with artificial intelligence (AI). University of Florida scientists Nathan Boyd and Arnold Schumann hope to help growers in the strawberry industry, a $300 million-a-year sector in Florida, with weed control. They want to reduce the amount of herbicide spray strawberry growers use during the season. That saves farmers money …
Pandemic Cover Crop Program Deadline is June 15
By Clint Thompson Vegetable and specialty crop producers who utilize cover crops have until Tuesday, June 15 to sign up for the Pandemic Cover Crop Program. The implementation of cover crops requires a long-term investment from the producer. The COVID-19 pandemic provided economic challenges for growers to maintain those cover crop systems. The Pandemic Cover Crop Program, which is offered …
Low Prices Linger for Vegetable Producers
By Clint Thompson Low market prices and higher input costs equal a challenging season for the region’s vegetable and specialty crop producers. In a time when farmers need commodities to sell high, prices are among the lowest in recent memory. “I would say right now that prices are as low as I’ve seen them for this time of year. Pick …