Sneak Peek: May 2023 Specialty Crop Industry Magazine

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The May issue of Specialty Crop Industry Magazine features an industry leader on the cover while also providing updates on Neopestalotiopsis disease in strawberries and the recent Florida Grower Citrus Show in Fort Pierce, Florida. Titan Farms in South Carolina is a leader in peach production in the Southeast. Chalmers Carr, owner of Titan Farms in Ridge Spring, discussed what …

North Florida Watermelon Producers Advised to Implement Daily Irrigation Practices

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By Clint Thompson The current prolonged dry period covering most of Florida is impacting North Florida watermelons. While producers prefer drier weather, they need to ensure their crop is receiving adequate moisture. Growers need to be more diligent in making sure fields are saturated with multiple irrigation events per day while the drought persists, says Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute …

North Florida Watermelon Producers Should Implement Multiple Irrigation Events Daily

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By Clint Thompson The current prolonged dry period covering most of Florida is impacting North Florida watermelons. While producers prefer drier weather, they need to ensure their crop is receiving adequate moisture. Growers need to be more diligent in making sure fields are saturated with multiple irrigation events per day while the drought persists, says Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida …

Florida Peaches Expected to be Smaller This Season

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By Clint Thompson Florida’s peach producers are well underway in harvesting this year’s crop. The peaches this year are undersized, due mostly to the warm spring leading up to harvest, says Jose Chaparro, associate professor in the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). “Down south in central Florida they’ve already been picking U-F Sun and U-F Best …

Florida Peach Crop Expected to be Undersized This Season

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By Clint Thompson Florida’s peach producers are well underway in harvesting this year’s crop. The peaches this year are undersized, due mostly to the warm spring leading up to harvest, says Jose Chaparro, associate professor in the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). “Down south in central Florida they’ve already been picking U-F Sun and U-F …

South Florida Facing Higher Populations of Pepper Weevils

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Pepper weevils are reaching high populations across the South Florida region, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Weevils are present at moderate to high populations in Southwest Florida. Infestations are reported to be very high in some locations. Populations have increased dramatically across Palm Beach, Martin and Indian River counties along the east coast, reach high levels …

High Populations: Pepper Weevils Wreaking Havoc in South Florida

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Pepper weevils are reaching high populations across the South Florida region, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Weevils are present at moderate to high populations in Southwest Florida. Infestations are reported to be very high in some locations. Populations have increased dramatically across Palm Beach, Martin and Indian River counties along the east coast, reach high levels …

North Florida Melon Growers Should Be Wary of Bacterial Leaf Spot Disease

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By Clint Thompson The recent cold, rainy and windy conditions present across the North Florida region were not ideal for the area’s watermelons. All were ideal for the development of bacterial leaf spot disease. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, said producers should start adding a …

North Florida Melon Growers Should Be Wary of Bacterial Leaf Spot Disease

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By Clint Thompson The recent cold, rainy and windy conditions present across the North Florida region were not ideal for the area’s watermelons. All were ideal for the development of bacterial leaf spot disease. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, said producers should start adding a …

Potato Breeding Program Launches Out of Hastings Ag Extension Center

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For more than 50 years, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research and Extension teams have grown potatoes in variety trials at the UF/IFAS Hastings Agricultural Extension Center. In these trials, scientists discover which potatoes will be most productive for Florida growers. For the first time, researchers are using this knowledge to develop new potato varieties …