By Clint Thompson North Florida’s watermelon season is nearing its final few days of harvest. It’s not as if there isn’t plenty of fruit still left to be sold. The low market prices are contributing to growers finishing up this year, says Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live …
UGA Vegetable Specialist Researching Okra
By Clint Thompson Vegetable research was the subject of a recent Extension agent training at the University of Georgia (UGA) Tifton Campus. One crop that Ted McAvoy, UGA Extension vegetable specialist, is currently focusing on is okra. He spoke about its significance for Georgia growers. “It’s the first time and I’m very excited about it. When I interviewed with the …
UF/IFAS Specialist Discusses This Year’s Avocado, Mango Crops
By Clint Thompson Two of Florida’s top tropical fruits were highlighted by an industry expert during an interview with AgNet Media. Jonathan Crane, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) professor and tropical fruit crop specialist, discussed the state of this year’s avocado and mango crops, heading into the summer. “The avocado crop has been down because …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: High-Density Orchards the Future of Florida Peach Production
By Clint Thompson The future of Florida’s peach industry potentially rests on results generated from research at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). With labor expenses at an all-time high and showing no signs of slowing, Florida’s peach growers need a more efficient way to produce a crop that is heavily reliant on manual labor. …
Increased Rainfall Impacts Florida Citrus
Recent rainfall has been a welcome sight for Floridians, but it can be a concern for the state’s citrus growers who are producing next year’s crop. Chris Oswalt, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences citrus agent, cautions growers about citrus canker amid the increased moisture in the region. “With rainfall, you need to be concerned about those …
Registration Open for Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo
By Clint Thompson Citrus and specialty crop producers from across the Southeast can register for the upcoming Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo, scheduled for Aug. 20-21 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida. The two-day event especially appeals to growers and industry leaders in Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama. Morgan Cole, Expo show organizer for AgNet Media, talked …
UF/IFAS Study: Drones, AI Help Farmers Save Money, Protect the Environment
A new University of Florida (UF) study shows how drones can do more than just take aerial pictures and videos — they can help farmers grow better hemp by seeing the health of their crops with some artificial intelligence (AI) assistance. Researchers at the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Tropical Research and Education Center (TREC) in Homestead …
Florida Farmer of Year Testifies at Senate Special Committee on Aging Hearing
By Clint Thompson Florida Farmer of the Year Jim Alderman used his testimony during last week’s appearance at the Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing to remind congressional leaders about the need for the agriculture industry to get younger. “At the age of 78 years old, I’ve spent four and a half decades working the land,” Alderman said. “I still …
Vidalia Onion Crop: Weather Challenges Lead to Decreased Yields
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s Vidalia onion crop was high in quality but low in quantity this year, according to one industry expert. With the weather challenges that growers experienced across the region, it’s not a surprise that production dropped this year. “The crop’s not as big this year. What we have is good quality,” said Chris Tyson, University of Georgia …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Top Concerns Stand Out in Grower Survey
Up Front By Frank Giles This spring, we asked specialty crop growers to take a survey touching on various topics. We published some of the highlights from the survey in last month’s issue of the magazine. One thing the survey illustrated is the huge diversity of the fruit and vegetable sector in the Southeast. There are literally hundreds of crops …



















