mangos

Sweet Profits: Florida Mangoes Selling High

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Mangos

By Clint Thompson Florida mango production has a benefit that other countries lack and is a big reason the industry is enticing for potential producers. Jonathan Crane, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences professor and tropical fruit crop specialist, highlighted how domestically produced mangoes are selling high when compared to mangoes that are imported into the U.S. …

Costly Year for Gummy Stem Blight Control

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Georgia, Watermelon

By Clint Thompson Gummy stem blight’s presence in North Florida watermelons this year was expensive to manage. It could be even costlier to growers’ sustainability in the future. “Are we going to start losing effectiveness of chemistry?” pondered Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “That’s the …

Nematode Management in Hops

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Hops

By Clint Thompson Choosing the right hops variety means growers won’t have to be as concerned with root-knot nematode management. 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, discussed that benefit of hops production which continues to gain traction in Florida. “The hop …

Free Business Planning, Tax Management Workshop for Farmers in Miami-Dade

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Successfully operating any agribusiness such as a farm, ranch or nursery requires strong financial skills to ensure profitability and sustainability. Too often, agribusiness owners don’t survive due to key knowledge gaps in business planning and tax management.  “A business plan is critical to the financial sustainability of any agriculture business,” said Fredy Ballen, a University of Florida Institute of Food …

Here’s What Happened: North Florida Watermelon Season Recap

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Watermelon

By Clint Thompson Georgia’s delayed start to the watermelon season was North Florida’s gain for a second year in a row. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, confirmed last week that some of his growers were still picking over fields, mostly because Georgia volume had not …

Gummy Stem Blight Worst in Recent Memory

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Watermelon

By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon growers have been able to manage most disease pressure this year; except for gummy stem blight. It has been the one disease that has been extremely problematic for producers, says Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “I’d say it’s more …

hops yard

Figuring Out the Right Hops “Recipe” in Florida

Dan CooperFlorida, Hops, Specialty Crops, Varieties

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center hosted a hops field day in early June. The event included a tour of the center’s hops yard and educational presentations on growing the crop. Much of the hops used in brewing beer is grown in Washington and Oregon. Shinsuke Agehara, UF/IFAS associate …

Gummy Stem Blight a Problem for North Florida Watermelon Crop

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Watermelon

By Clint Thompson North Florida’s watermelon crop continues to be impacted by increased disease pressure, though gummy stem blight remains the most difficult to control. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, reported in his weekly email that gummy stem blight is causing the greatest concern among …

Tropical Fruit Expansion? Know the Risks Before Planting in Central Florida

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Tropical Fruit

By Clint Thompson Central Florida farmers interested in producing tropical fruits need to consider the risks just as much as the potential benefits of such an investment, believes one industry expert. Jonathan Crane, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences professor and tropical fruit crop specialist, cautions growers about overextending their farming operations and monetary investments in an …

Florida Blueberry Summer Meetings Set for July

Clint ThompsonBlueberries, Florida

By Clint Thompson Florida blueberry growers should mark their calendars for this year’s summer grower meetings scheduled for July throughout central Florida. This summer’s meeting schedule includes, Polk County, Monday, July 15, 10 a.m., Polk County Extension Office; Lake County, Wednesday, July 17, 10 a.m., Lake County Extension Office; Hardee County, Friday, July 19, 10 a.m., Hardee County Extension Office; …