Downy mildew disease remains the most important threat to North Florida watermelons, a couple of weeks into harvest season. That’s the assessment made by Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. The disease has not “blown up” this year, and Hochmuth attributes that to growers being proactive …
Tomato Field Day Shows Off Latest Research
In mid-May, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center hosted a tomato field day to showcase research being conducted at the facility. The event was well attended, filling up several wagon loads of people who made their way through six field stops that focused on nematodes, tomato breeding, fertilizer recommendations, …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Weekly Field Update Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Coastal Region Anna Sara Hill Midlands Phillip Carnley Rob Last Sarah Scott Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, 2026Attribute® II Technology Adds More Flexibility and Strength to Sweet Corn Pest ManagementJanuary 1, …
Overview of Florida’s Peach Industry
By Clint Thompson Adequate chilling and warm temperatures in early spring helped Florida’s peach crop to develop as they should. As a result, growers enjoy a productive season with this year’s crop. “We had a normal year in terms of chilling, with the accumulative chilling in November and December. They bloomed in the middle of January, and they had enough …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Endangered Species Act Compliance for Herbicide Application
By Brett Bultemeier EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first in a series of two articles on pesticide label changes related to the Endangered Species Act. Many growers have probably heard rumblings about various strategies, pesticide use limitation areas, endangered species and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). While there have been lots of updates and much information swirling around, there is …
Pecan Nut Casebearer Update
By Maegan Beatty Southeast pecan growers face an ongoing challenge from a tiny but destructive pest called the pecan nut casebearer. The insect targets young pecan buds and shoots in early spring, usually before the nuts have a chance to develop. If left unmanaged, infestations can severely reduce crop yields and weaken tree health. The pecan nut casebearer is most …
FFVA Issues Letter Concerning H-2A Program
The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) is calling for the repeal of the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) Methodology Rule and the H-2A Worker Protection Rule; action that would impact the current labor crisis, including in Georgia and Alabama. The FFVA submitted a letter to the White House Office of Management and Budget. The repeal is necessary since both …
Florida’s Challenging Tomato Season Impacted By Hurricanes, Unfavorable Markets
By Clint Thompson One Florida tomato grower’s assessment of this year’s crop focused on the plethora of challenges that state’s producers had to contend with. Whether it was from hurricanes in the fall to unfavorable markets, the challenges were on multiple fronts and impacted production for Tony DiMare and other Florida producers. He discussed this year’s crop in an interview …
Sunburn a Concern for Watermelon Crop
By Clint Thompson High temperatures this week have watermelon producers concerned about potential sunburn on this year’s crop. It could impact growers in the North Florida region who have already started harvesting and those in South Georgia and South Alabama that are still a few weeks away. “In some cases, these fields that haven’t been walked over yet, as long …
Statistically Speaking: Labor Concerns Highlighted During Florida Ag Conference
By Clint Thompson Farmers spend a substantial amount of money every year to operate a labor force for their crops. It’s the defining issue that John Walt Boatright, deals with as director of government affairs at American Farm Bureau. “No matter where we go and no matter who we talk to in farm country, labor continues to be the focal …



















