By Clint Thompson A new feature of the Florida Grower Citrus Show was a win for growers and leaders of the region’s vegetable crop industry. The annual event in Fort Pierce no longer focuses solely on Florida citrus production. The addition of vegetable-based seminars catered to specialty crop producers during the April 13 event. Judging by the attendance, the audience …
North Florida Watermelon Harvests Should Begin Within Two Weeks
By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon producers are still on track to take advantage of an early harvest window thanks to early plantings this year. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, said harvests should commence within the next couple of weeks. “In talking with the growers, …
Got You Covered: Desaeger Continues to Tout Cover Crops to Manage Nematodes
By Clint Thompson Cover crops remain an under-utilized but effective management option for specialty crop growers managing nematodes. 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, touted the practice at the Florida Grower Citrus Show. “If you have the time to put in …
North Florida Watermelon Producers Should Guard Against Powdery Mildew
By Clint Thompson Even in the driest weather conditions, one disease can still torment watermelon producers. Powdery mildew is on the mind of Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) regional specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, and should be at the forefront of Northeast Florida growers’ management strategies. He cautions growers to apply …
What’s the Future of Fumigation?
By Clint Thompson How specialty crop growers manage weeds when the field is not being sown is just as important as what fumigant they choose prior to planting season. Nathan Boyd, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) associate center director and professor of horticulture/weed science at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, has conducted years …
Sneak Peek: May 2023 Specialty Crop Industry Magazine
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
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
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
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
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 …