The Florida Farm Bureau Federation (FFBF) hosted more than 100 women from across the state for the 2022 Women’s Leadership Conference at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Melbourne, March 24-26. The conference featured keynote speakers, an awards banquet, breakout sessions and farm tours. Keynote speakers included Lorenda Overman, vice-chair of the American Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee; national speaker Betty …
Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute Returns as an In-Person Event Next Week
After being forced to the virtual space by COVID-19 for the past two years, the Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute will return to an in-person event next week. This year’s institute will be held Tuesday, April 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at South Florida State College, Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts in Avon Park, Florida. “We …
Florida Watermelon Producer Discusses Inputs, Looming Market Prices
By Clint Thompson Florida Watermelon harvests are about to commence. One producer has done all he can to keep his crop clean this season, even if input costs rose to new heights. “I’ve got no disease pressure, no bug pressure. We spray them every seven days. You sit back and wonder if we’re wasting money because there’s nothing wrong with …
Update on Finger Limes in Florida
The Australian finger lime has created a buzz among chefs and mixologists for its caviar-like texture and flavorful pulp. The fruit also has captured interest among growers for its seemingly high tolerance to HLB. On March 23, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) hosted a half-day online symposium on finger limes to provide growers with …
U.S. Drought Monitor: Dry Conditions Remain in Areas Across Southeast
Recent rains have helped replenish some of the soil moisture in North Florida, though various areas remain either abnormally dry or moderately dry, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Parts of the Panhandle remains abnormally dry, starting in Escambia County and stretching eastward to Jackson County. Much of the central and southern parts of the state remain either abnormally dry …
Unpredictable Year for Florida Peaches
By Clint Thompson Peach production in Florida is unpredictable this year. The inconsistent weather conditions are a key reason why, explains Jose Chaparro, associate professor in the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). “The way that we accumulated chilling this year was really bizarre. I can tell you that in the Umatilla area that they’re going …
New Florida Blueberry Varieties on Display during Field Tour
By Frank Giles The University of Florida (UF) blueberry breeding team hosted a farm tour last week to showcase commercially available and varieties in development at stops in Arcadia and Dade City. Doug Phillips, blueberry Extension coordinator for UF, said the tour evaluated two production systems. “We visited a farm down in Arcadia for the morning stop on our Blueberry …
Rains Alleviate Some of North Florida’s Dry Conditions
Heavy rains last week alleviated some of the abnormally dry conditions in North Florida. But Central and South Florida remain moderately dry as are South Georgia and South Alabama. Moderate dry conditions are still being experienced in the Florida Panhandle from Escambia County eastward to Madison County. Levy and Marion counties are also moderately dry, which stretches as far south …
Nematodes Expected to be a Problem Again for Florida Specialty Growers
By Clint Thompson Another spring production season means another year of nematode management required for Florida’s specialty crop producers. Johan Desaeger, assistant professor of entomology and nematology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, discusses why growers should always be wary of the microscopic worm-like pests. “They’re a problem every …
Whitefly Pressure Varies Across Florida
Whiteflies are increasing to high levels in Southwest Florida, which is normal this time of year. It is especially true for older tomato plants and melon crops, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. However, population levels are much lower in other areas, including in tomato and squash plants in central Florida. Whiteflies have only been observed occasionally …