Challenges continue to mount for Southeast produce farmers. There is a fear among producers in Florida and Georgia that one day obstacles like Mexican imports and rising costs will be too much for growers to overcome. It will lead to producers going out of business and this country becoming reliant on foreign countries for food. “An older guy told me …
Winter Showers Bring Spring Heartache?
Lack of Fumigation a Concern for Growers This Production Season? Excessive winter rains threw a monkey wrench into the plans of some Southeast vegetable producers. Farmers were sidelined at a time when they needed to be in the fields applying fumigation and laying plastic. Now, in a race against time to get their plants in the ground and meet their …
War of Deception: Consumer Awareness Key in Support of American Farmers
In the ongoing war between supporting local farmers against the influx of imports, American farmers need consumers to fight back. The significance of where food originates may never be more important than it is right now. With imports continuing to flood markets for various commodities, the end result is farmers contemplating selling their land. Others are wondering what else can …
ABT Infestations: Population Levels Continue to Vary From Farm to Farm
The most recent scouting report for Asian bean thrips (ABT) from the University of Florida/IFAS shows that populations continue to vary from farm to farm and plantings to plantings. Continuous management is necessary since it appears that two modes of action is not sufficient in reducing ABT populations. Most farms in southeastern Hendry County averaged 0.2 ABT per bud and …
Interested in Calabaza? UF/IFAS Scientists Laying Groundwork for Chefs, Growers
By: Lourdes Rodriguez, 954-577-6363 office, 954-242-8439 mobile, rodriguezl@ufl.edu HOMESTEAD, Fla. – A specialty pumpkin traditionally used in Caribbean, South and Central American dishes, has caught the eye of University of Florida scientist Geoffrey Meru. Meru, a vegetable geneticist at the UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center, is leading a multi-institutional project aimed at adding value to the calabaza commodity chain …
Citrus Researchers and Growers Building a Bright Future
New science, technology, practices, and varieties pave the path forward.
Taking its Toll: Strawberry Imports Creating Strain on Farmers
The International Trade Committee’s (ITC) decision regarding blueberry imports was shocking to Florida’s blueberry producers. It was no less surprising to the state’s strawberry farmers who have their own ITC investigation under way. “Our jaws dropped. We know how bad the blueberry deal is and they said they were 5-0 voting against it,” said Matt Parke, farm manager of Parkesdale …
Tale of Two Blueberry Seasons
Florida Grower: It’s not going to be like it was last year It’s a tale of two seasons for Florida blueberry growers. Producers were early with last year’s crop but encountered COVID-19 that kept prices low. This year’s cooler weather has slowed the growth of the blueberry crop, which means it’ll likely be ready for its normal timeframe. Hopefully, that’ll …
What You Should Know About the ‘Star Ruby’ Grapefruit
See why this is the red grapefruit of choice for many growers committed to Florida citrus production.
Flash Drought: Potentially Devastating to Crops
Parts of the Southeast have experienced excessive rainfall this year. But periods of prolonged dry spells could be just around the corner and be detrimental to the growth of vegetables and specialty crops. What is really concerning to Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension Agricultural Climatologist, are those flash droughts. She spoke about the impact flash droughts can have on …