Florida is on the verge of a new agricultural crop that could give small farmers in the southern region of the state a high-value alternative to vegetable and fruit production.  University of Florida researchers at the Tropical Research and Education Center have embarked on a comprehensive evaluation of vanilla – from developing fertilizer recommendations to developing the highest-yielding and disease-resistant …
Thrips Update: Populations Vary in Central, Southern Florida
Thrips pressure is low across central and southern Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Scouts are observing low numbers in pepper in central Florida, with thrips only found in the bloom. Dak Seal, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences entomologist at the Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead, Florida, reports low …
A Year Later: Southwest Florida Recovering from Ian with Help of UF/IFAS Extension
In the year since Hurricane Ian unleashed its fury on Southwest Florida, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension agents have helped communities in their long road to recovery. What was left in the path of the hurricane’s 150 mph winds and flooding rain? How about damaged crops, eroded beaches, downed trees and power lines, property …
Drought Update: Extreme Dry Conditions Observed in Southwest Florida
Drought conditions vary across the southern states. Alabama has a few counties that are abnormally dry. Much of West Georgia is abnormally dry, and the southwest corner of Florida is either abnormally dry, moderately dry, severely dry or extremely dry, according to the latest release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Only a few areas in Alabama are abnormally dry. These …
Florida Vegetable Farmer to Vie for Southeastern Farmer of Year Award in October
A Florida vegetable farmer is one of 10 individual state winners who will compete for the Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year Award in October. Wade Purvis, Immokalee, Florida, will represent the Sunshine State at the annual event in Moultrie, Georgia, on Oct. 17. Purvis operates 2,350 acres with 1500 acres rented and 500 acres owned. His crop …
Parts of Southwest Florida Experience Dry Conditions
Drought conditions remain minimal across the Southeast. The only dry areas are located along the west coast of Florida and in northern Alabama, according to the most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. The only part of Florida that is experiencing dry conditions is located along the west coast in the southern part of the state. It starts as high …
Sakata Seed Focused on Florida and the Southeast
Working with growers in Florida and the Southeast has been a critical element in Sakata Seed America’s success. The focus on these regions has resulted in producing vegetable varieties bred to perform in the southern climate and soil types. The Fort Myers Research Station is home to a breeding hub for three of the company’s most important crops — tomato, …
Thrips Populations on the Rise Throughout Southern Florida
Thrips populations continue to build across central and southern Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Pressure is moderate to high on tomato in central Florida, while chili thrips are a problem in strawberries. Thrips have increased in intensity in southwest Florida as well. Overall pressure is moderate, but there are locations with high pressure and lots of …
Thrips Populations Increasing in Southern Florida
Thrips populations continue to build across central and southern Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Pressure is moderate to high on tomato in central Florida, while chili thrips are a problem in strawberries. Thrips have increased in intensity in southwest Florida as well. Overall pressure is moderate, but there are locations with high pressure and lots …
Drought-Like Conditions Reduced in Southeastern States Except Florida
Drought-like conditions are all but non-existent in Alabama and Georgia following recent increased periods of rainfall, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The remaining abnormal and moderate dry conditions in Georgia are isolated to the southeastern part of the state. They start as far west as Brooks and Lowndes counties and stretch north-eastward to Long and Liberty counties. The southern …