By Clint Thompson The reinvigorated Florida Grower Citrus Show was a crowd-pleaser in its first year hosted by AgNet Media. The annual event was relocated to University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) facilities in Fort Pierce. It was streamlined from a two-day format to a one-day event. The show brought …
‘Minor’ Cases of Fusarium Wilt in North Florida Watermelons
By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon producers have begun observing Fusarium wilt disease in this year’s crop. But the reported instances are drastically lower than in previous years, believes Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “I would say it’s very minor. In my opinion, we’ve seen …
Tomorrow Is Show Time!
Get ready for a jam-packed day of educational sessions, networking and flavorful food tastings. Doors to the 2023 Florida Grower Citrus Show open at 8:00 a.m., and a hot breakfast will be served. If you didn’t preregister, on-site registration will be available at the entrance of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory. The …
WLIANR Seeks Nominations for Upcoming Class
The Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources (WLIANR) is soliciting nominations for Class XII of its two-year leadership development program. The program is sponsored by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Nominations close June 1 and applications are due no later than June 15. Self-nominations are accepted. Class XII will begin in Gainesville in November. …
Moving Forward With a New HLB Treatment
By Peter Chaires I am a big fan of Robert Fulghum’s famous book titled “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.” This little gem started out with lightweight calls to play fair and wash your hands before you eat. But soon it turned up the heat and waxed somewhat philosophical with a couple heavy hitters. One of …
FoodTransport App Assists in Transporting Foods
FoodTransport, a new free smartphone application from University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) postharvest experts, provides brief but authoritative recommendations for shipping perishable foods via truck or rail. The user-friendly app is the next step in a years-long project that started in 2017 when UF/IFAS scientists began working to revise and digitize a USDA handbook last updated in …
No Fusarium Wilt So Far in North Florida Watermelons
By Clint Thompson Overall disease pressure in North Florida watermelons remains low. A big reason for that is the lack of fusarium wilt. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) regional specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, believes the unseasonably warm weather conditions in late February and early March contributed to the lack of …
New App is Quick Reference for Perishable Transport Pros
FoodTransport, a new free smartphone application from University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) postharvest experts, provides brief but authoritative recommendations for shipping perishable foods via truck or rail. The user-friendly app is the next step in a years-long project that started in 2017 when UF/IFAS scientists began working to revise and digitize a USDA handbook last …
Plant Bug Alert for North Florida Watermelon Producers
By Clint Thompson Plant bugs are making their way into some watermelon fields in the North Florida region. Producers need to take action to avoid having a small population explode into a much larger one, according to Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “There’s spots where we’re …
North Florida Watermelon Producers: Manage Plant Bugs Now
By Clint Thompson Plant bugs are making their way into some watermelon fields in the North Florida region. Producers need to take action to avoid having a small population explode into a much larger one, according to Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “There’s spots where …