UF/IFAS to Host Stone Fruit Field Day

Clint ThompsonFlorida

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) will host a Stone Fruit Field Day on May 7 in Citra, Florida. It will highlight innovations in peach production and provide a tour of the research orchard. Attendees will learn about Florida’s first high-density peach orchard experiment that was planted three years ago and is now ready for …

So Far, So Good: Florida Blueberry Harvests Strong

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson A prolonged dry spell is not unexpected for Florida’s farmers this time of year. It does present ideal weather conditions for the state’s blueberries to be harvested. Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Blueberry Extension Coordinator, discussed the current harvest season. “It’s good picking weather, because you definitely want the berries …

North Florida Watermelon Progression

Clint ThompsonAs Seen On Instagram, Florida

By Clint Thompson The sooner that watermelons in the Suwanee Valley can be harvested and marketed this year the better for North Florida producers. That time frame looks to be around mid-May, says Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. If the current hot and dry weather …

Peach Insect Pests to Watch Out For

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Peach harvest season is just a few weeks away for Southeast growers. But before producers start picking this year’s crop, they need to be managing this season’s insect pests. Two come to mind, says Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. “Now that we are really in the …

Sneak Peek: May 2025 Specialty Crop Grower Magazine

Clint ThompsonSneak peek

The May issue of Specialty Crop Grower Magazine focuses on Grimmway Farms, one of the largest carrot producers in the world, with more than 40,000 acres planted every year. Jeff Huckaby, a fourth-generation farmer, joined Grimmway Farms in 1998. He discussed the company and its ability to keep the customer happy and supply carrots all year long. The key to …

‘Promising’ Southeastern Alabama Fruit, Vegetable Crops Growing in Dry Conditions

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Fruit and vegetable producers like weather conditions to be dry, so they can be the ones applying water. The current conditions impacting Southeast Alabama are preferred by growers who want to avoid disease buildup. “Honestly, in the fruit and vegetable world, we supply 90% of the crop’s need through irrigation, probably; if not close to 100%. We …

USDA to Issue $1.3 Billion to Specialty Crop Producers Through Second MASC Payment

Clint ThompsonUSDA

U.S. Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins announced on Tuesday a second round of payments coming this week for specialty crop producers through the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program, providing up to $1.3 billion in additional program assistance. U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) has already delivered just under $900 million in first round payments to eligible …

North Florida Watermelon Update: Powdery Mildew Confirmation

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Powdery mildew disease has been confirmed in watermelon in the Suwannee Valley region of North Florida. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, noted in a weekly email that as a result of having low disease incidence, growers should “keep things simple.” “Perhaps a …

Farming’s Future is Now: Harvest CROO Demonstrates Commercially Viable Automated Strawberry Harvester

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson What was once a dream is becoming a reality for Florida strawberry growers hoping to one day utilize automated strawberry harvesters. Harvest CROO, a company whose focus is developing a fully autonomous strawberry harvester, announced its automated harvest field trials have successfully demonstrated commercial viability. Gary Wishnatzki, co-founder and Wish Farms owner, discussed the breakthrough and its …

Dry Weather Preferred for Georgia Watermelon Producers

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson South Georgia’s dry weather conditions are not a bad thing for the region’s watermelon production. In fact, it is what specialty crop producers prefer. They want to be the ones applying the water, says Ty Torrance, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable agent for Colquitt, Tift and Worth counties. “As far as vegetables go for sure, we’d …