Citrus greening disease has been detected in a backyard in Tallahassee, Florida. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) recommended to the homeowner to have the tree removed. It’s the first occurrence in Leon County, according to Xavier Martini, UF/IFAS assistant professor at the North Florida Research and Education Center. According to the UF/IFAS, citrus greening or …
Integrated Approach Best Long-Term Management Strategy Against Nematodes
By Clint Thompson University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) scientist Johan Johan Desaeger believes an integrated strategy is the best long-term approach for producers trying to manage nematodes. Growers are more dependent on fumigants like Telone, especially with the phase-out of methyl bromide. They effectively control nematodes, microscopic worm-like pests that have a wide host range. …
Alabama Hemp Application Deadline is Nov. 29
Hemp applications remain available through Nov. 29 for Alabama farmers wishing to become a grower or a processor/handler for the 2022 growing season. Katelyn Kesheimer, Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, encourages interested applicants not to waste time in completing the application process. “The Department of Ag only has so many people on staff and now they’re working on …
ABT Populations Vary Across South Florida
Asian bean thrip (ABT) populations have increased in recent weeks Homestead, Florida and have been at thresholds since the beginning of the growing season. Intensive insecticide programs are needed to minimize losses, according to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). In other areas, though, populations are very low. No more than one Asian bean thrip …
Florida Ag Expo Once Again a Success
By Clint Thompson The Florida Ag Expo was once again a success. Attendees flocked to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center on Thursday, a year after the event was cancelled amid the coronavirus pandemic. Josh McGill, Florida Ag Expo show director, estimated around 800 were in attendance, between vendors …
Florida Ag Expo Underway
The Florida Ag Expo is underway at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. The event returns after last year’s cancellation amid COVID-19. It includes a tradeshow with vendors and multiple seminar sessions from industry leaders and university scientists. The event will conclude this afternoon with field tours. Sponsored ContentNew …
Southern Corn Leaf Blight Now a Problem Year-Round for Florida Producers
By Clint Thompson What was mainly a fall disease problem for sweet corn producers has transitioned into a concern for growers during winter and spring production as well. Southern corn leaf blight is an issue that now concerns Florida growers year-round, mostly due to warmer temperatures, said Richard Raid, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) professor …
Neopestalotiopsis Management: Send in Samples to Ensure Disease is Present
By Clint Thompson Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot in Florida strawberries is inevitable this year, based on previous years of production. But because symptoms manifest themselves similarly to other diseases, growers need to make sure the disease is actually present in their fields before taking action. Vance Whitaker, strawberry breeder at the University of Florida Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, encourages …
Improving Productivity of Florida-Grown Peaches
By Tripti Vashisth Unlike citrus, peaches are deciduous fruit trees. Deciduous trees shed their leaves during the late fall and early winter and undergo dormancy. During this dormant stage, a certain amount of cold weather (measured by an accumulation of chill units) is needed to resume normal growth in the spring. When the cold weather requirement for dormancy is fulfilled, …
Pecan Production Could be Worse Than Originally Projected
By Clint Thompson Pecan production could be worse this year than previously projected across the Southeast. According to the University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan blog, UGA Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells estimates that Georgia’s production will not exceed 60 million pounds, and that number may fall even further, below 50 million pounds for the first time since 2006 when …