Summer Rains Limit Dry Conditions Across Southeast

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Drought continues to be mostly a non-issue across the Southeast. This summer has provided adequate moisture across southern states like Alabama and Georgia. Even in Florida where dry conditions are prevalent, they have improved in recent weeks. This is according to the June 19 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Florida’s driest conditions are concentrated to the southern area of …

Avocado Production on Rebound in Florida?

Clint ThompsonFarm Safety, Florida

By Clint Thompson Laurel wilt disease impacted Florida’s avocado production so much over the past decade, acreage dropped 40%. Jonathan Crane, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) professor and tropical fruit crop specialist, estimated that 300,000 trees were lost. However, production may be on the rebound, and Crane explains why. His reasoning centers on the ambrosia …

Blueberry Management Strategies for Florida Growers

Clint ThompsonFlorida

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) reminds Florida blueberry growers about what management options they need to consider during the summer months. Disease management should always be top of mind, especially algal stem blotch in Southern Highbush. Producers should prune out canes infected with algal stem blotch, Botryosphaeria stem blight and dead canes. Growers should monitor …

Lot of Tonnage Left: North Florida Watermelon Harvests Continue

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon harvests are in their fourth week across the Suwanee Valley region. One industry expert believes there is still more than half of the crop remaining. “There are many fields that are basically in the first harvesting. I would say we have a lot of tonnage out in the fields yet to be harvested if …

Bacterial Spot’s Long Impact on Southeast Tomatoes

Clint ThompsonFlorida

This is the first in a two-part series on the disease and UF/IFAS research. By Clint Thompson One tomato disease has long been a thorn in the side of producers throughout the Southeast. Gary Vallad, professor of plant pathology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, discussed bacterial spot …

Drought Monitor Update: Florida Still Mostly Dry

Clint ThompsonFlorida

The May 22 edition of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows lingering drought in central and southern Florida, though conditions are much improved in Georgia and Alabama. Extreme drought is still present in a large area in South Florida. It includes all or parts of such counties as Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, Hendry, Palm Beach, Collier, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe. Severe …

Rainy Impact: Expect Disease Pressure Increase in North Florida Watermelons

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson A ‘significant increase’ in watermelon diseases is expected across the Suwanee Valley region of North Florida following rainfall last weekend. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, reported in his weekly email that reports over gummy stem blight and downy mildew should spike after rainfall …

Drought Monitor Update: Florida in Need of Rainfall

Clint ThompsonFlorida

The May 8 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows dry conditions worsening in Florida and expanding in South Georgia and Southeast Alabama. Extreme drought is observed in a couple of areas in Florida. One area is centered around Lake, Sumter, Marion, Volusia and Flagler counties. The other is located in the southern area of the state, including Miami-Dade, Monroe, …

High Quality, Quantity of Florida Sweet Corn

Clint ThompsonCorn, Florida, Specialty Crop Grower Magazine

By Clint Thompson Another month of sweet corn harvests is expected in South Florida. One grower believes the favorable weather conditions contributed to strong quality and quantity in this year’s crop. “We’ve had really good weather. It’s been a little dry, but we have not had any freezes that have knocked things out. We haven’t had any floods to damage …

Strong Florida Tomato Crop Following Two Hurricanes

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Florida’s tomato season was challenged from the start. But considering growers were able to weather two hurricanes, they churned out a solid crop, said Robert Guenther, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange. “We really had a horrible start to the season with two hurricanes coming through Florida. That really put us back. I would say …