Kelly Morgan Named New Director of UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center

Web AdminIndustry News Release, Research, Top Posts

By: Beverly James, 352-273-3566, beverlymjames@ufl.edu GAINESVILLE, Fla. – As Best Management Practices Coordinator for the state, Kelly Morgan has spent years helping growers find optimum ways to irrigate and fertilize their crops to maximize results. Now, he will get the chance to coordinate even more groundbreaking research. The University of Florida has named Morgan the new director of the UF/IFAS …

Potential for Commercial Vanilla Production in Southern Florida

Web AdminResearch, Top Posts

By Alan Chambers Think about your favorite desserts like ice cream, cookies, cream-filled pastries and chocolate. These indulgences are the perfect end to an otherwise healthy meal, or a guilty snack when no one’s looking. Many of our favorite desserts include a common, yet irresistible, vanillin flavor extract from the “bean” of the vanilla orchid. Vanillin has enhanced the sensory …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Florida Citrus Show a Day of Education, Enjoyment

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By AgNet Media Staff The Florida Citrus Show marked another successful event in March in Fort Pierce. The show provided attendees with a fun, informative day to learn about citrus and specialty crops while engaging with exhibitors during the tailgate-style trade show. CRAFT Update Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) programs have been very popular with growers and have incentivized …

Fusarium Wilt Observed In North Florida Watermelons

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson North Florida and South Georgia watermelon producers must be aware that fusarium wilt disease is showing up across North Florida. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, said in his weekly email that the disease has also been observed in UF/IFAS research trials. Symptoms …

Drought Monitor Update: Worsening Conditions Across Southeast Region

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Florida, Georgia

Drought continues to wreak havoc in the Southeast region. In the April 16 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor, conditions are worsening across North Florida, South Georgia and Southeast Alabama. Florida Exceptional drought is being observed over a large portion of the North Florida area, starting in Gulf, Calhoun and Jackson counties, spreading eastward to Alachua, Union and Baker counties. …

Lab Diagnosis Needed to Identify Phytophthora in Southeast Strawberries

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Neopestalotiopsis (Neo) disease in strawberries has garnered much of the headlines in recent years for Southeast producers. But other diseases can still leave a mark on production if growers are not careful. One, in particular, is a huge concern, says Phil Brannen, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist. “Phytophthora is still a problem. Not …

Crop Consultant: Florida Drought Worst in 20 Years

Clint ThompsonUncategorized

By Clint Thompson Current drought conditions in Florida are not surprising. After all, the driest part of the season is typically during the months of April and May. But conditions are dire even for this time of year, explains Gene McAvoy, a crop consultant in South Florida. It has been some time since he has experienced drought conditions of this …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Freeze Devastates Florida Crops

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Frank Giles and Clint Thompson The freeze that struck Florida in late January and early February brought the coldest air to the state in more than a decade. Freezing temperatures caused significant damage to specialty crops across the state. In many areas, the frigid temperatures held for hours, exacerbated by high winds that thwarted freeze-protection efforts many growers tried …

Cold Temperatures’ Impact on North Florida Watermelons

Clint ThompsonUncategorized

By Clint Thompson Cold temperatures last week had an adverse effect on recently-planted watermelon plants in North Florida’s Suwanee Valley Region. Growers are determining how to best help their young plants recover. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, provided advice for producers who are making chemical …

Welcomed Rainfall for North Florida Watermelon Producers

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson An extremely dry North Florida region was hit with much-needed rainfall on Monday. That was a welcomed sight for the Suwanee Valley’s watermelon growers who are mostly done planting this year’s crop. “The rain will definitely help in those dry bed areas just to bring more moisture. All of it’s going to go in the hole but …