By Clint Thompson Watermelon harvests have begun in North Florida. But that doesn’t mean producers should halt their fertilizer applications. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, emphasizes to growers the importance of continuing their fertilizer application program. “Lets say you and I have a field and …
Professor/Farmer Named Director of SWREC
Michael Burton practices what he preaches. That quality makes him an ideal selection for the director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC), effective July 1. Burton spends the academic year teaching and conducting research in agronomy at Missouri State University. In the summer, he runs the family …
Fertilizer Applications Need to Continue During Watermelon Harvests
By Clint Thompson Watermelon harvests have begun in North Florida. But that doesn’t mean producers should halt their fertilizer applications. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, emphasizes to growers the importance of continuing their fertilizer application program. “Lets say you and I have a field and …
Options Available for Management of Gummy Stem Blight
Gummy stem blight disease pressure has been light so far this season in North Florida watermelons. That trend may soon be changing, however. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, confirmed this week that gummy stem blight disease is beginning to become a problem for Florida watermelons. …
Lack of Neopestalotiopsis a Blessing for Producers
By Clint Thompson A drier year meant a good production season for Florida strawberries regarding a lack of diseases. A state known for its high-quality strawberry crop was ravaged in prior seasons because of neopestalotiopsis fruit rot disease. But rainy seasons exacerbated the problem. This year’s dry weather led to minimal disease impact, said Vance Whitaker, University of Florida Institute …
Compost and Cover Crops Improve Soil Health in Citrus
By Tacy Callies Citrus grower Sonny Conner recently hosted a group from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for what he called his “Clint Eastwood tour of the good, the bad and the ugly.” While some of his trees are too far gone from citrus greening (the bad and the ugly) to be resuscitated, many more …
Watermelon Production: Preventative Sprays Needed for Rindworms
By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon producers should be applying insecticides on a preventative basis when targeting rindworms. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, advises growers that an economical program consists of adding a Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray now and continue weekly until pest pressure gets …
Disease Update for North Florida Watermelons
By Clint Thompson Downy mildew disease has yet to make an appearance in North Florida watermelons this year. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, hopes it remains that way. “We’re keeping a really close eye on (downy) because that’s the next one that if we don’t …
Weed Management Starts Early for Snap Bean Producers
By Clint Thompson A sound weed management program early in the season is essential for snap bean producers. Ramdas Kanissery, weed scientist and assistant professor at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, highlights the importance and impact that weed suppression can have on bean production. “I would say when it …
Florida’s Blueberry Production: May Management Tips
Harvests may be nearing an end for Florida’s blueberry producers, but management should continue during May. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) recommends that growers monitor for leaf diseases like rust, anthracnose, Septoria, target spot and Phyllosticta. Florida’s blueberry producers should continue with insecticide sprays for spotted wing drosophila to protect against any remaining ripe fruit …