By Clint Thompson Southeast vegetable and specialty crop producers should find out in the next couple of months the impact of two factfinding investigations by the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) on the effects of imported cucumbers and squashes on the U.S. seasonal markets. It could have significant ramifications for future markets for both commodities, said John Walt Boatright, director …
Farm to School Experience: FDACS to Host Wednesday Conference Virtually
Tallahassee, Fla. –The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness will host a virtual Farm to School Experience on Wednesday, Oct. 20. It is an opportunity for schools, distributors and producers to connect and learn more about the 2021 Farm to School initiative. The initiative helps increase the amount of fresh, local foods …
Scouting Pivotal for Strawberry Producers
By Clint Thompson Scouting remains a pivotal tool in strawberry producers’ fight against Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Fruit Disease Specialist, cautions producers about what to look out for in the early stages of this year’s strawberry season. “At this stage in the fall you would look for leaves with brown leaf spots, especially on …
UF/IFAS to Host Upcoming Citrus Events
LAKE ALFRED, Fla. — University of Florida (UF) Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) faculty are hosting a number of events for citrus growers in the upcoming weeks. All events are free but require preregistration. Oct. 26              Citrus Nutrition Day  9 a.m. to Noon Citrus Research and Education Center Ben Hill …
Farmer Testimonial: Georgia Producer Sounds Off on Increased Input Costs
By Clint Thompson Increased input costs are an ongoing battle for Southeast fruit and vegetable crop producers. But what can be done to counter the rapidly rising expenses that growers are paying for freight, containers, fertilizer and labor? One Georgia producer believes staying up to date on your regular expenses is a first step in possibly increasing commodity prices. During …
100 Years of Impact: NFREC Instrumental in Helping Tomato Industry
By Clint Thompson The University of Florida (UF) Institute of Food and Agricultural Services (IFAS) North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC) in Quincy, Florida has enjoyed 100 years of impact. Part of that success is attributed to the vegetable program, in particular, with tomatoes. Josh Freeman, University of Florida/IFAS Associate Professor in Horticultural Science, discusses the impact his predecessors …
Rising Prices Are Worrying Farmers
By Ernie Neff Rising prices are worrying Florida farmers, Gene McAvoy with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) said in a presentation this summer. McAvoy is associate director for stakeholder relations at the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center. His presentation was to the National Association of Credit Managers Statewide Agricultural & Turf Suppliers …
Making Sense of Biologicals: Multiple Modes of Action for Plant Protection
By Clint Thompson The life of a synthetic fungicide is not everlasting. Vegetable and specialty crop producers need alternatives to remain sustainable. As resistance continues to build up in different fungi, some conventional chemistries could become ineffective and obsolete. Biologicals provide growers another option with a different mechanism, says Alex Cochran, chief technology officer for Douglas Plant Health. Resistance Problem …
La Nina Expected This Winter
By Clint Thompson It is never too early to start thinking about what Southeast vegetable and specialty crop producers can expect with this winter’s weather conditions. It is expected to be warm and dry. Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension Agricultural Climatologist, believes another La Nina winter is likely, which would have implications for peach growers, who need chilling hours; …
Tomato Trade: Impact Could Cost U.S. Growers $250 Million a Year
An increase of Mexican tomato exports leads to decreased prices for U.S. producers. University of Florida (UF) research confirms that if imports increase by 50% in the coming years, it would cost farmers as much as $252 million per year. This equates to 27% in revenue. That decline is due to competition from Mexico and other challenges, said Zhengfei Guan, …