By Clint Thompson The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Blueberry Growers Guide phone app pays dividends for producers needing timely information. It will soon be offered in a Spanish translation as well, according to Doug Phillips, UF/IFAS blueberry Extension coordinator at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. “We know some farm managers and other …
Biological Control: UF Research Testing New Measures for Mites in Blueberries
By Clint Thompson Biological applications may be Florida blueberry growers’ best management strategy for long-lasting control of mites. Oscar Liburd, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Professor and Fruit and Vegetable IPM Program leader, said resistance concerns are forcing researchers to consider alternative control measures. “One of the problems is that if we continue using the …
Intelligent Disease Identification
By Yiannis Ampatzidis and Pamela Roberts Accurate and rapid disease identification at the beginning of an outbreak is essential for implementing effective management tactics. Diagnosis based on visual symptoms is often compromised by the inability to differentiate among similar symptoms caused by plant pathogens and abiotic disorders. Recent technological advances in sensors, machine vision, mechatronics, big data analytics and artificial …
Industry Leader: Truck Driver Shortage Not Surprising
ATA Anticipates 1.1 Million Truckers Needed Over Next 10 Years By Clint Thompson The truck driver shortage in the U.S. that is disrupting vegetable and specialty crop operations and causing increased freight costs is not a surprise to one industry leader. It just came to light during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Tra Williams, owner and president of FleetForce Truck Driving …
Excitement Builds Toward Upcoming S.E. Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference
By Clint Thompson The Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference is two months away for those in Georgia, Florida and Alabama interested in attending. After last year’s conference was held virtually due to COVID-19, the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) is excited about the show’s return in Savannah, Georgia on Jan. 6-9, 2022, says Charles Hall, GFVGA executive …
Spotlight: Strawberry Season is Coming and so Are Nematodes
By Johan Desaeger Florida strawberry season is right around the corner, and nematodes are lying in wait. Sting Nematode Belonolaimus longicaudatus (literally “long-tailed arrow-like plague”), or simply sting nematode, is one of the most dreaded pests for Florida strawberry growers. If not managed, it can cause severe plant stunting and up to 100% yield loss (Figure 1). Sting nematodes are …
Early Start: Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot Discovered in Georgia Field
By Clint Thompson It didn’t take long for Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot to rear its ugly head in Georgia strawberries. According to the UGA Extension strawberry blog, a Georgia strawberry field is confirmed to have the disease. Symptoms and presumptive spores of the pathogen have been observed. The infected plants were obtained from a nursery in Canada. Plants …
UF Research: Bags on Peaches Help Keep Pests, Diseases Away
Peaches are popular, especially in the Southeast, with annual national production of about 806,000 tons. Growers can help keep pests and diseases from damaging the fruit by placing bags around individual peaches, University of Florida researchers say. David Campbell, a UF/IFAS post-doctoral researcher, led new research, funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture Organic Research and Extension Initiative grant. UF/IFAS …
Price Adjustment: Watermelon Farmers Need Assistance to Remain Sustainable
By Clint Thompson Extremely high input costs makes watermelon production unsustainable for Southeast producers. Carr Hussey, a watermelon farmer in Florida, Georgia and Alabama and chairman of the board of the Florida Watermelon Association (FWA), said there be a must price adjustment for farmers to remain afloat. “Pricing, I think it’s going to change this season, I really do. Farmers …
NASS Conducting First Hemp Acreage and Production Survey
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) sent out its first Hemp Acreage and Production Survey this week. Going to nearly 2,000 producers across Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, this survey is designed to collect information on the total planted and harvested area, yield, production, and value of hemp in the U.S. “The Hemp Acreage and Production Survey will provide …