By: Ruth Borger, 517-803-7631, rborger@ufl.edu LAKE ALFRED, Fla. — University of Florida (UF) researchers hope to discover new methods to help citrus growers fight the deadly citrus greening (or Huanglongbing) disease with cost effective, long-term sustainable treatments with the support of recently awarded federal grants. Three teams of scientists from UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences received nearly $4.5 …
Alabama Extension Economist Tries to Clear Up Misconception about Hemp
A misconception between hemp and marijuana has Adam Rabinowitz concerned about how consumers view an up-and-coming agricultural commodity in the Southeast. Rabinowitz worked as an Extension economist at the University of Georgia before he moved to Alabama this summer to become an Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension economist. At UGA, Rabinowitz helped conduct a survey to gauge consumer knowledge …
Citrus Advisory System Alerts Growers So They can Stem Post-Bloom Fruit Drop
October 22, 2020 By: Brad Buck, bradbuck@ufl.edu Beep. Beep. Beep. That’s the sound of the alert, telling a citrus grower it’s time to spray fungicide to help prevent fruit from falling off the tree. When the new fruit fall off a citrus tree, post-bloom fruit drop (PFD) can cause major losses for citrus growers. Infection of flowering citrus by the …
South Georgia Farmer: Need to Buy Georgia Grown
One South Georgia farmer is hoping American consumers will buy more locally grown produce. After all, the future of the American farmer is at stake. Bill Brim, co-owner of Lewis Taylor Farms in Tifton, Georgia, implores consumers to truly consider who they’re buying their fruits and vegetables from. Not the retailer but the country of origin the blueberries and cucumbers …
Whiteflies Vary in Impact in Florida Vegetables This Fall
According to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, whiteflies are varying in impact in vegetables in South and Central Florida. Around the Central Florida area, respondents report that whiteflies remain active in tomato and melons at mostly low numbers. Growers and scouts in Southwest Florida report that whitefly pressure has declined with recent rains. Scouts report finding mostly low …
HELM Agro US Launches New Gamma™ Herbicide for Grapes
Tampa, FL – HELM Agro US, Inc., a global manufacturer of high-quality crop protection and fertilizer products announced that Gamma™ herbicide has received federal registration from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Gamma is a non-selective PPO-inhibitor herbicide with a novel active ingredient called Tergeo™ for directed postemergence applications in grapes. In product development trials and regulatory studies, Gamma has demonstrated …
Problematic Pests of Florida Strawberries
By Sriyanka Lahiri Several arthropod pests occur in strawberries in Florida during the various stages of the crop cycle. Cyclamen mites (Phytonemus pallidus), if present, originate from strawberry nurseries as hitchhikers on transplants. Thankfully, a very small percentage of growers reported a cyclamen mite infestation during the strawberry season of 2019–2020. Soon after planting, armyworms (Spodoptera spp.), twospotted spider mites …
North Carolina Forestry Association, N.C. Forest Service Promote National Forest Products Week
RALEIGH – National Forest Products Week is celebrated the third week in October every year, and in celebration, the North Carolina Forestry Association and the N.C Forest Service recognizes the $33.6 billion contribution of the forest products industry to our state’s economy. NCFA Executive Director John Hatcher says, “Forestry is a significant economic driver for our state, ensuring jobs and …
NCDA&CS Announces Specialty Crop Block Grant Recipients
RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced the recipients of more than $1.25 million in funding from the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The funding will be used for projects that enhance the quality of specialty crops grown in North Carolina. “North Carolina is one of the most agriculturally diverse states in the nation, and …
Weather Could be Decisive Factor in South Georgia Farmer’s Fall Vegetable Crop
Weather has wreaked havoc on one South Georgia farmer’s fall vegetable production. Sam Watson, managing partner of Chill C Farms in Colquitt County, Georgia, said his crop has not progressed as far along as it should have by this point in the growing season. He’s concerned a potential frost could derail his plans for a productive fall season. “We’re Oct. …