Software platform monitors and sounds the alarm when conditions are ripe for malady.
FFVA Urges DeSantis to Prioritize Vaccines for Agricultural Workforce
Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) Chair Aaron Troyer, on behalf of FFVA members, sent a letter to Gov. DeSantis this week urging for priority distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine for Florida’s agricultural workforce. While FFVA strongly supports that healthcare workers and long-term care facilities receive first priority, Troyer urged for prioritizing Florida agriculture after those groups to ensure a …
Marketing: The Next Challenge for the White Strawberry
Producing a white strawberry was the first challenge for University of Florida/IFAS strawberry breeder Vance Whitaker. The next is figuring out how to market it so it could be a viable option for Florida producers in the future. Whitaker said there are 12 acres test marketed in different chain stores this year. They will have a better grasp on how …
Expect a Drop in Pecan Production in 2021
This year’s pecan crop in Georgia exceeded expectations. Producers need to brace themselves for a drop in volume next year, which is expected with pecan trees being alternate bearing plants. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells fully expects the 2021 crop season to be a down year for Georgia growers. “From a volume perspective yes, I don’t …
Georgia Pecan Volume Exceeded Expectations
The worst pecan prices in recent memory are being countered by one of the biggest crops in recent years. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist, said this year’s crop has been welcomed by all producers, especially those still recovering from Hurricane Michael in 2018. “I think it has (exceeded expectations) from a volume standpoint. It’s hard to …
Cold Week Good for Florida Strawberries
Cold temperatures this week in Florida were just what the doctor ordered for the state’s strawberry crop – especially since temperatures were not well below freezing. Vance Whitaker, strawberry breeder at the University of Florida Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, said the cold weather Floridians experienced this week should aid in the development of the strawberry plants. “If it …
Alabama Christmas Tree Farmers to Experience Joyous Holiday Sales?
Alabama Christmas tree farms started with record-breaking sales during the Thanksgiving holidays, according to Jeremy Pickens, Alabama Assistant Extension Professor in Horticulture at Auburn University. While bad weather on Sunday reduced some foot traffic, Pickens expects sales to pick back up. “I think with the (coronavirus) pandemic, unfortunately, people are ready to get outside. What a great thing to go …
Pecan Prices Stay Low
It is getting late in the pecan harvest season. Prices remain low for farmers across the Southeast. According to the USDA Pecan Report, some producers are storing pecans they would normally export in hopes of getting a better price after the new year. Farmers and homeowners who are trying to sell now are still encountering decreased prices. “Export and retail …
Alabama Extension Specialist Regarding Hemp: You Need a Plan From Day One
Alabama Extension’s message to potential hemp producers back in March was, “Know what you’re getting into.” Nothing has changed nine months and one harvest season later. Following the state’s second commercial production season, the take-home message remains the same for hemp growers already planning for next year’s crop. “It sounds like some people got burned. They planted a lot of …
Diamondback Moths a Problem for Cole Crop Producers
Diamondback moths are starting to show up in some vegetable fields across Georgia, says Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist. Cole crops producers need to be wary of this pest, as it can pose a threat to cabbage, collards, kale and broccoli. “Diamondback moth is starting to show up in some areas. We’ve had three or four …