By Clint Thompson The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is offering a new academic program that will enhance students’ knowledge of fertilizer applications and enable them to apply fertilizers more efficiently to their specialty crops. The program is called the UF/IFAS Fertilizer Science and Technology Graduate Certificate. The formal certificate will be available starting in …
Insect Pests Top Concerns of Strawberry Producer Ahead of ’22 Crop
By Clint Thompson Strawberry planting season is still a couple of months away for Florida producers. One factor that is already on the mind of grower Dusty Grooms is the impact that two insect pests had in 2021 – chilli thrips and spider mites. The strawberry producer with Fancy Farms in Plant City, Florida, discussed the issue that plagued his …
UF/IFAS Scientist: Financial Support ‘Shot in Arm’ for Research to Update BMPs
By Clint Thompson Financial support was just what the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) needed to conduct research and provide farmers with new and improved recommendations for fertilization of five significant Florida crops. Thomas Obreza, senior associate dean for UF/IFAS Extension and project leader, discussed the impact that $8.8 million will have in research pertaining …
Ukraine-Russia Conflict: Lingering Impact on Farmers
By Clint Thompson The longer the conflict in the Ukraine lingers the added impact it will have on input costs farmers are forced to pay, mainly for fertilizer. Veronica Nigh, economist with American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), discusses the situation. “I think what this last year and the last couple of months in particular have pointed out, these are globally …
Supply-Chain Disruptions, Inflation and War Are Pushing Prices up on the Farm
By Frank Giles Just when the world took somewhat of a collective breath, hoping the COVID-19 pandemic might be easing, Russia invaded Ukraine. The conflict and the highest inflation rate in 40 years in the United States have focused attention on agriculture and food security. For farmers in Florida and around the world, the confluence of events has presented challenges …
Budgeting for Specialty Crop Success
By Clint Thompson At a time when input prices are historically high and availability a serious concern for specialty crop producers, growers need to ensure budgeting is a priority for the spring season. Jessie Rowan, Alabama regional Extension agent, who specializes in commercial horticulture and farm and agribusiness management, discusses the importance of understanding and planning for the different expenses. …
A Recipe for Sustained Success
By Clint Thompson There are multiple ingredients in John L. Hundley’s recipe for agricultural success: hard work, a capable supporting staff and willingness to adapt to the changing times. This is what has sustained Hundley Farms for more than 50 years and why Hundley will be inducted into the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame on Feb. 15. “The bottom line …
Florida Farmer: We’ve Diversified, That Helps
By Clint Thompson Rising input costs. Accelerated imports. Little if any increase in market prices. It has become increasingly more difficult for Florida’s specialty crop producers to find sustained success. Vegetable farmer Marie Bedner credits diversification for Bedner Farms staying as successful as long as it has. “We’ve diversified and have the three retail stores, which that helps. We’re direct …
Small-Scale Production Practices
By Ida Vandamme Organic products have become mainstream as more people want to be aware of production practices, ingredients and inputs into their food and household items. Given the current supply-chain issues and labor shortages, many people also are turning to local businesses and even starting businesses of their own. Here are some important considerations when thinking about starting and/or …
Georgia Farmer: It’s Not Sustainable Right Now
By Clint Thompson The recent spike in input costs has forced farmers to plead with their customers on renegotiating their current contracts. South Georgia vegetable farmer Jaime Patrick has implemented this strategy and seen mixed results. “Especially on contract business that we have, year by year contracts or multiple year contracts, we’re having to go back now and say, ‘Hey, …