Enjoy Florida-Grown Foods At Thanksgiving

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Uncategorized

When you’re giving thanks this Thanksgiving, consider that much of your food grew in the Sunshine State, say University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) experts. Those edibles include corn, potatoes, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, lettuce and tomatoes. Like many of us, Nelly Nelson, family and consumer sciences agent for UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County, said she and her …

planning

Planning Pointers for Cold-Hardy Citrus Production

Dan CooperCold Hardy, Production

Crop planning is an essential part of the citrus production process. What are you going to grow? Where are you going to market? How are you going to overcome HLB (huanglongbing or citrus greening)? John Chater, assistant professor at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center, discussed the different factors that …

Harvest Window a Potential Limiting Factor for Artichoke Production in Florida

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Florida Ag Expo

By Clint Thompson Artichoke production can be accomplished in Florida. The only concern Shinsuke Agehara has is capitalizing on a harvest window that is not very long. He discussed the current outlook concerning artichokes during the recent Florida Ag Expo event at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in …

Florida Ag Community Continues Work to Enhance Water Quality Management

Web AdminCitrus, Fruits, Vegetables

By Frank Giles Water quality and quantity are issues that cross all political and economic boundaries in Florida. When blue-green algae and red tides occur, they make front-page news and keep these challenges top-of-mind for all Floridians. Agriculture and the water-quality debate have been closely intertwined over the years. As a large user of water for irrigation and the need …

Commissioner Wilton Simpson Applauds Florida Legislature for Prioritizing Hurricane Idalia Recovery Efforts for Agriculture

Web AdminFlorida, Hurricanes

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson applauded the efforts of the Florida Legislature last week following the conclusion of a special session that prioritized Hurricane Idalia recovery relief for Florida’s agriculture industry: “Florida’s agriculture industry sustained widespread damage from Hurricane Idalia, with an estimated loss of over $447 million in crops, livestock and infrastructure. Our state’s farmers, ranchers, and growers …

Grower Panel, Tailgating Treats Highlight Annual Florida Ag Expo Event

Clint ThompsonFlorida Ag Expo

By Clint Thompson Tailgating treats and insightful information highlighted Thursday’s Florida Ag Expo event. Specialty crop farmers and industry leaders flocked to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma, Florida. Seminar sessions and field tours provided attendees valuable insight into how they can remain sustainable in crop production …

Southern Corn Leaf Blight Disease on Rise in South Florida

Web AdminCorn, Disease, Florida

Corn growers in southern Florida should be wary that Southern corn leaf blight disease is on the rise, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. The disease is starting to appear in the Everglades Agricultural Area. Incidences are low but increasing in corn. Low levels of southern corn leaf blight were reported in a few fields in Southwest …

AI Set to Supercharge Ag Research

Web AdminAgri-business, Agriculture Research, Agriculture Technology

By Frank Giles In the past year, artificial intelligence (AI) has gained worldwide attention as breakthroughs like the large-language model ChatGPT wowed users with its capabilities and nearly humanlike feel when delivering results. As the technology rapidly advances, it also has set off alarm bells for some who believe that computer technology might outpace human ability to control it in …

Savelle

UGA to Hire Citrus Researchers Next Year

Web AdminCitrus, Georgia

Georgia citrus growers will soon have research support from the University of Georgia (UGA), says Lindy Savelle, president of the Georgia Citrus Association and member of the Georgia Citrus Commission. She confirmed the news at the recent Cold Hardy Citrus Field Day at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC) in Quincy. …

South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline: Mite Pressure Update

Web AdminFlorida, Pest Management, Pests

Mite pressure is low but increasing in southern Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Southern red mites were reported in blueberries in central Florida. Broad mites were reported in a few pepper fields across Southwest Florida. Broad mite infestation increased to low levels in pepper fields along the east coast. In eggplants, two spotted spider mites …