Freeze protection is a vital part of university research in the cold-hardy citrus region. Growers in South Georgia, South Alabama and North Florida only have to look back to last season to see temperatures that dropped to dangerously low levels for citrus production. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, discussed freeze-protection measures at the …
UGA Extension Hosts Southeast Citrus Workshop
A part of Georgia’s citrus crop lies in the southeastern part of the state. Aubrey Shirley, University of Georgia (UGA) Tattnall County Extension coordinator, believes that portion is continuing to grow. The main threat to that growth is citrus greening disease. “If we get greening really bad and it starts to hinder production, I think the industry is so young, …
Drought Update Across Southeast Region
By Clint Thompson Drought-like conditions continue to decrease across the Southeast, according to the July 23 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Florida In Florida, extreme conditions still persist in the northern part of the state, though the western counties in the Florida Panhandle, including Escambia, Santa Rose, Okaloosa, Walton and Holmes, have sufficient moisture. Extreme conditions have been reduced …
Florida Tomato Conference Set for Sept. 10, 17
Florida tomato farmers and industry specialists should mark their calendars for the Florida Tomato Conference, scheduled for Sept. 10 and Sept. 17. The conference will start with the Food Safety Workshop/T-Gap Renewal on Thursday, Sept. 10, scheduled from noon to 5 p.m. at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma, Florida.Click here to register. Registration for the Food …
Ralstonia Research Focus of Florida Blueberry Summer Meetings
By Clint Thompson Ralstonia research is one of the topics highlighted at this summer’s blueberry meetings hosted by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. While it is not as problematic as other blueberry diseases as Florida growers contend with every year, it has the potential to wreak havoc on one of the state’s major fruit crop, …
Drought Update in the Southeast
By Clint Thompson The July 9 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows minor change to the drought conditions being observed across the Southeast. Florida The driest area in Florida remains in the northern area of the state. Extreme drought is still being experienced in the area, starting as far west as Franklin and Wakulla counties, stretching eastward to Duval, …
Fusarium Wilt, Nutsedge Still Top Challenges for North Florida Watermelon Producers
By Clint Thompson The final email sent to North Florida watermelon producers by Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, recapped this season in the Suwannee Valley. Hochmuth once again stressed the significance of fusarium wilt and nutsedge and their impacts on watermelon production in the region. …
Pruning Key to Blackberry Success in Florida
By Clint Thompson Muhammad Shahid, assistant professor of horticulture at University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), has only conducted blackberry research since 2022 but has quickly realized how vital pruning is to successful blackberry production in the Southeast. “Pruning is very critical because if you will keep the branches, which give you the fruit, it will …
June Rains Help Alleviate Some Dry Conditions Across Southeast Region
By Clint Thompson Increased rains this summer have helped alleviate much of the drought being experienced across the Southeast. According to the June 18 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor, exceptional drought has all but disappeared in North Florida, while there is minimal extreme drought conditions in various parts of Georgia, and much of Alabama is reporting zero drought conditions. …
Updated Drought Conditions Across Southeast
The June 11 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows improved drought areas in states like Georgia, Florida and Alabama. Alabama Alabama has received its share of rain in recent weeks. Much of Alabama is showing no drought at all, indicating sufficient moisture. It is noticeable in the southwestern part of the state, throughout central Alabama and up through the …