WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) mailed the 2022 Census of Agriculture paper questionnaires to all known agriculture producers across the nation and Puerto Rico in mid-December. Last month, producers in the states received their survey codes with an invitation to respond online. Any producer who did not respond online now has the option to complete the ag census …
Are You Running in the Holiday Food Marathon?
Runners lose weight in most marathons. But the holiday food marathon can do the opposite. Starting in Halloween and going through Thanksgiving and now Christmas, Americans tend to eat more and more this time of year. Gary Crawford with the U.S. Department of Agriculture has the story. Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, 2026Attribute® II Technology Adds More …
Indian River Research and Education Center Receives Record-Breaking Gift
The late citrus grower John T. Moose left the largest individual gift ever to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Indian River Research and Education Center (UF/IFAS IRREC) in Fort Pierce. The $260,000 contribution came in 2022, the same year as the center’s 75th anniversary. The gift will help serve local agriculture and natural resources protection with research, …
Upcoming Sub-Freezing Temperatures Should Impact Southeast Vegetables
By Clint Thompson Sub-freezing temperatures in the forecast for this weekend could impact winter vegetable crops in the Southeast. Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, discusses the impact that growers in Alabama and Georgia could see beginning Friday night. “If it stays below freezing for a whole day, that’s going to …
CRDF Allocates Year-End Funds to HLB Research Projects
The Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) met for its December board meeting to discuss several topics before heading into the new year. One of the bigger areas of discussion was what to do with available uncommitted funds. “The board decided to fund work on several questions growers have regarding the use of bactericides inserted through systemic delivery devices and give the …
HLB Resistance Is Citrus Breeding Program’s Primary Focus
Citrus breeding is conducted at different research facilities across Florida. But the objective remains the same for University of the Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) breeders: Develop HLB-resistant citrus. That is the goal for Jose Chaparro, UF/IFAS associate professor in Gainesville. His research will impact citrus produced in the North Florida and South Georgia regions. “If you look at …
Neopestalotiopsis Present Again in Florida Strawberry Fields
By Clint Thompson A familiar disease has already made its presence known in South Florida strawberries this season. Growers in Alabama and Georgia should be aware about neopesatlotiopsis being an issue. A familiar disease has made its presence known in South Florida strawberry fields this season. A rainy start to the growing season contributed to neopestalotiopsis being a problem already. …
Buyers, Shellers Increase Interests in Purchasing Pecans
Pecan harvests continue to wind down across Georgia. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service, commercial buyers and shellers have increased their interest in purchasing pecans to fill orders. However, some farmers are keeping their crop stored until after the new year. They are waiting for prices to adjust amid a harvest season where total pounds available …
Input Costs Remain Concern of Watermelon Growers
By Clint Thompson Watermelon growers in the Suwanee Valley Region are gearing up for the upcoming season. Their main challenge to a successful season is the obstacle that concerned them all of last year – high input costs. It is a subject that Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in …
Farming Safety Emphasized at Watermelon Meeting
By Clint Thompson Farming is an inherently dangerous occupation. But growers don’t usually think about the dangers that come with driving a tractor and working with various pieces of equipment. Not when it is a practice they have done day in and day out for decades. It is a concept not lost on Serap Gorucu, assistant professor in the University …