By Clint Thompson The cold weather experienced over Christmas weekend wreaked havoc on strawberry plants in North Alabama. Eric Schavey, regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama, described the impact his growers’ plants incurred during the multiple days of below-freezing temperatures. “What I’m hearing from some of my strawberry growers is they got out there to put row covers on just …
Mites Levels Remain Low Across South Florida
Mites levels are still low in some fields across southern Florida, though some species are increasing in numbers, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Broad mites are increasing in Southwest Florida but still remain at low population levels Spider mites were reported to be low in multiple crops. Spider mite populations are growing in younger corn in …
GFVGA: Omnibus Appropriations Bill Includes Significant Funding for Critical Ag Needs
The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) expressed appreciation for the Omnibus Appropriations Bill, though it failed to address agriculture labor reform. “While the bill failed to include any action on agriculture labor reform, the bill did include significant funding for critical agriculture needs, including Georgia producers,” the GFVGA announced in an email. The bill included $8.25 million for …
Vidalia Onion Extension Agent ‘Cautiously Optimistic’ Following Sub-Freezing Temperatures
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s Vidalia onion crop had not been in the ground long before sub-freezing temperatures (temps) impacted Southeast Georgia Christmas Eve. They were especially vulnerable to temps that reached the teens Saturday morning and stayed mostly in the 20s for consecutive days. Still, any damage assessments will have to wait, says Chris Tyson, University of Georgia Extension area …
Florida Strawberry Grower Eyes Quick Warm Up
By Clint Thompson Temperatures were expected to increase dramatically for New Year’s weekend across the Southeast. That’s not an ideal scenario for Florida strawberry producers still recovering from sub-freezing temperatures over Christmas weekend. According to weather.com, temperatures were expected to reach the 80s in Plant City, Florida, on New Year’s Eve. Matt Parke, farm manager of Parkesdale Farms in Plant City, …
Florida Strawberry Producer: Quick Change in Temperature Would Not Be Great
By Clint Thompson Temperatures are expected to increase dramatically for New Year’s weekend across the Southeast. That’s not an ideal scenario for Florida strawberry producers still recovering from sub-freezing temperatures last weekend. According to weather.com, temperatures are expected to reach the 80s in Plant City, Florida, on Saturday. Matt Parke, farm manager of Parkesdale Farms in Plant City, Florida, explains …
Correct Disease Diagnosis Crucial for Producers
By Clint Thompson An incorrect diagnosis of a plant disease can be a costly error for a producer. In an era where input prices are just as high as they have ever been, a farmer can ill-afford to apply the wrong fungicide. Gary Vallad, professor of plant pathology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) …
Bacterial Spot Disease Intensifying, Spreading Across Florida Peppers, Tomatoes
Bacterial spot disease has been observed in multiple locations across South Florida. The weather has attributed to the disease increasing and intensifying in some vegetable crops. According to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, dense fog and isolated rain events led to disease development. Bacterial spot is moderate to high in tomatoes and peppers across south Florida. Bacterial spot …
Florida Specialty Crops Impacted by Frigid Weekend
By Clint Thompson Florida specialty crop producers are feeling the sting from a frigid weekend across the state. More time is needed to determine the long-term effect from temperatures dipping into the 20s (degrees Fahrenheit) in Plant City, Florida, where there is a lot of vulnerable strawberry production. Temperatures also dropped into the 30s further south in the Labelle/Immokalee areas, …
Freeze Effect: Sub-Freezing Temperatures Impact Southeast Specialty Crops
By Clint Thompson Consecutive nights of sub-freezing temperatures has Southeast specialty crop producers concerned moving forward this year. Vegetable growers are worried about potential injury to their fruit that were vulnerable in the ground. Strawberry farmers are concerned about wind damage to their crop. Georgia’s Vidalia onion producers are concerned now about the long-term ramifications for their young plantings that …