By Clint Thompson A proper soil test can better prepare growers for the upcoming planting season. It should be done well in advance, says Eric Simonne, University of Florida/IFAS Northeast Extension District Director. “Ahead of the planting season is always the right time to do soil testing. You want to do that ahead of time enough so that if they …
High Freight Rates Costing Producers
By Clint Thompson High freight rates and limited availability have created another challenge for Southeast vegetable producers. Neil Mazal, with East Coast Farms and Vegetables in Lake Worth, Florida, said freight rates are historically high and may contribute to a quick and unprofitable season for some growers. “We’re in South Florida. Historically, I would buy a truck out of South …
Sanitation Important Management Tool
It may be the end of the season for many South Florida vegetable and specialty crop producers, but preparations should already be made for the upcoming fall season. According to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, field sanitation is one of the most important management tools that producers utilize. It’s essential that growers clean up crop residues after harvest. …
Nematode Issue: Pest Still a Problem for Vegetable, Specialty Crop Producers
By Clint Thompson Nematodes were not any less of a problem this year for Florida producers. But they weren’t any worse, either, said Johan Desaeger, Assistant Professor of Entomology and Nematology at the UF Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. “They’re always bad in Florida. But if they were worse this year or not, it’s hard to tell. When I …
Statistically Speaking: Imports Increasing Dramatically
Imports are a real concern for vegetable and specialty crop producers across the Southeast and were the basis for a couple of U.S. International Trade Commission hearings. A closer look at the most recent USDA data explains why. According to the USDA Vegetable and Pulses Outlook: April 2021, the value of all vegetable and pulse imports totaled $16.1 billion in …
Georgia Farmer: I Just Hope We Make it Through it
Producers Discuss Impact of Pallet Shortage Never in his many years of farming did Georgia vegetable producer Jaime Patrick ever envision a scenario in which he would lack pallets to ship his produce. It’s never been a problem … until now. “You just call, and they send them to you,” said Patrick, who farms in Omega, Georgia. “I never thought …
Pallet Shortage: Farmers, Industry Leaders Express Concern About Potential Impact
Southeast vegetable growers didn’t need another obstacle to overcome this spring. This latest challenge might be their toughest yet. Growers and industry leaders have confirmed a major pallet shortage across the country. Pallets are instrumental in a grower’s ability to ship their product from the farm to the store. Charles Hall, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers …
Watermelon Production Decreased in 2020
Prices were High Watermelon production in the United States decreased in 2020, while prices remained strong. According to the USDA Fruit and Tree Nuts Outlook, domestic fresh-market watermelon production totaled 3,419.9 million pounds in 2020, which is a decrease of 4.4% from the previous season. The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reported that production in 2019 was 3,579.2 million …
Expanding Production: U.S. Sugar to Better Serve Customers
Acquisition of Imperial Sugar provides U.S. Sugar’s and Imperial Sugar’s customers with increased production and distribution, a full suite of sugar products, and a more secure sugar supply CLEWISTON, FLORIDA — An acquisition on Wednesday by U.S. Sugar returns Imperial Sugar to All-American owernship. U.S. Sugar announced on Wednesday it has reached an agreement with Louis Dreyfus Company to acquire …
Georgia Vegetable Farmer: Blueberry Verdict Took Wind out of my Sails
Farmers of squash and cucumbers will have their say with the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) in two weeks. But don’t count Georgia farmer Jason Tyrone as one who is optimistic about farmers’ chances of convincing the USITC that imports are inflicting serious injury on the domestic crop. He just points to the USITC verdict regarding blueberries. “I hope I’m …