Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a Florida Avocado Tree

Clint ThompsonAs Seen On Instagram, Florida

With Cinco de Mayo approaching, now’s the time to dig into guacamole and even plant the tree that produces it. Florida avocados offer a fresh, tropical twist on this fan-favorite fruit that stars in so many recipes. Did you know Florida avocados have less fat than the popular Hass variety, making them the lean, green star of your fiesta spread? …

Alabama Strawberry Grower Switching Nursery Sources: It’s a Business Decision

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson The impact of Neopestalotiopsis (Neo) in Jeremy Calvert’s strawberry production this year is leading the Alabama grower to consider other nursery sources next year. “We’re definitely looking at California nurseries. I truly hate it for those nurseries in Canada, because they’re family operations just like we are,” Calvert said. “I spent a couple of days in Plant …

Georgia Pecan Grower: No. 1 Issue is Capital

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Pecan

By Clint Thompson The grower panel at this year’s Georgia Pecan Growers Association meeting in March allowed the state’s producers to address trending issues like low prices and potential export markets like India. One of the main topics highlighted were current concerns felt by growers. Low prices were one, and the lack of working capital was another. It was addressed …

nitrogen

Nitrogen Reduction Needed in Cold-Hardy Citrus Region

Dan CooperCold Hardy, Nutrition

Growers in the cold-hardy citrus region are applying too much nitrogen to their groves. Muhammad Shahid, assistant professor of horticulture at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), discovered that unfortunate reality while conducting a research project in North Florida. Most citrus growers were following recommendations in the UF/IFAS Florida Citrus Production Guide, which are mostly …

Minimal Disease Pressure in North Florida Watermelons

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson There is minimal disease pressure in watermelons across the Suwanee Valley region of North Florida. With dry weather conditions expected in the near future, risk of new infections of bacterial or fungal diseases is currently low, according to Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. Hochmuth noted in his weekly email what watermelon …

USDA Designates 20 Alabama Counties As Primary Natural Disaster Areas

Clint ThompsonAlabama

Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate announced earlier this month that U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins has designated 20 Alabama counties as primary natural disaster areas due to a recent drought. There were 18 additional counties listed as contiguous disaster counties. “The drought affected over half of the counties in Alabama,” said Commissioner Pate. “We …

Hail Damage in Some North Florida Watermelon Fields

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson North Florida’s watermelon crop sustained some damage from storms last Friday evening. There was minimal impact across the region, though some fields experienced hail damage, according to Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. He reported in his weekly email that growers with heavy …

Downy Mildew Confirmed in North Florida, South Georgia Watermelons

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Downy mildew disease has been confirmed in a North Florida watermelon field, according to Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. Not only that, it was also confirmed in South Georgia as well. But growers must consider all the facts before responding to the breaking news. Hochmuth …

Tomato Industry Applauds Administration’s Decision to Terminate Suspension Agreement

Clint ThompsonFlorida

The U.S. tomato industry is applauding the U.S. Department of Commerce’s decision to terminate the 2019 U.S.-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement, which will become effective July 14, 2025. “This is a major victory for American agriculture,” said Robert Guenther, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange. “For decades, American tomato farmers have suffered from unfair trade practices by Mexican tomato …

USDA Seeks Nominees for Florida Tomato Committee

Clint ThompsonFlorida

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) seeks nominees for the Florida Tomato Committee to fill seats for 10 producer members and their respective alternates for two-year terms, starting on Aug. 1, 2025. Nominations will take place on April 14 at a virtual nomination meeting in each of the two established districts. The committee is seeking nominees for five producer member …