Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Food Security is National Security

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Frank Giles The headlines have been full of stories in recent months about fraud in various things like daycare services and Medicaid. It shines a light on a huge problem that needs to be addressed and corrected, especially with a U.S. national debt expected to surpass $40 trillion this year. The media attention has caused some conversations to zoom …

Multi-State Tomato Research Aimed At Studying Production in Hotter Weather Conditions

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Tomato research at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus should help growers determine if crop production in hotter parts of the year is a feasible alternative. Ted McAvoy, University of Georgia Extension vegetable specialist, is studying the heat effects on tomatoes that are planted two weeks to a month later than they normally would. “We’re not planting …

Risk Analysis May Be Needed for Grafted Watermelon Plants Against Fusarium Wilt

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Fusarium wilt disease in watermelon fields causes Southeast growers to consider alternative management tactics to overcome this yearly challenge. Grafted plants is one of those options, though, it is not intended for all producers, explains University of Georgia Extension Vegetable Disease Specialist Bhabesh Dutta. “This is not for everybody, and this is not for every situation,” Dutta …

Downy Mildew Reported in North Florida Watermelon

Dan CooperWatermelon

Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) regional specialized Extension agent for commercial vegetable crops, has reported downy mildew has shown up in the Suwannee Valley region of North Florida this week. “It was seen in small areas at the end of last week but as downy mildew can do, it spread rapidly over the …

downy mildew

Downy Mildew’s Impact in Suwanee Valley

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Downy mildew’s confirmation in North Florida watermelons was later than normal this year. But it still could impact certain watermelon fields in the Suwanee Valley Region. Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, talks more about the disease in an interview with AgNet Media. “Some (farmers) are, you know, maybe one harvest away …

Overcoming Poor Fruit Set in Tomatoes

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Poor fruit set in tomatoes is a bi-product of the heat and humidity felt across Alabama this time of year; when daytime temperatures exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit (F) or nighttime temperatures exceed 70 F. Wade Hummer, Alabama Extension agent, discussed poor fruit set during a webinar on Facebook. “Once you start seeing the nighttime temps above 70 …

Management Options for Grape Root Borer

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson The time is now for Southeast grape producers to prepare for the initial emergence of grape root borer (GRB) adults. Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, noted in the UGA Viticulture Blog that GRB adult activity starts to pick up in late June or early July. Weed …

tomato field day

Tomato Field Day Features New Varieties Under Development

Dan CooperEvent, Florida, Tomatoes, Vegetables

In late May, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma hosted its annual tomato field day. Attendees were able to see new varieties that are in development and attend seminar presentations after the field tour concluded. Jessica Chitwood-Brown, UF/IFAS assistant professor of horticulture and tomato breeding, guided tours …

Be Prepared for Hurricane Season

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Hurricane season officially began on June 1. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is imploring producers to stay prepared for potential impacts and explore recovery resources. Be Prepared Growers should protect their families and production operations. This includes: USDA Assistance for Hurricane Recovery Source: USDA Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, 2026Attribute® II Technology Adds More Flexibility and …

Reliable Research: Strawberry Producers Rely on UF/IFAS Plant Pathologists for Disease Diagnoses

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Strawberry growers across the country aren’t just tending fields – they’re often running a quiet race against fast-moving plant diseases. When trouble strikes, their first call is often to the plant pathologists at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC). The latest culprit has entered the scene in the form of Fusarium wilt disease, which is popping up along …