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 …
USITC Investigation: Future of Cucumbers, Squashes Markets at Stake
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 …