Peter Chaires, New Varieties Development and Management Corp. executive director, spoke about citrus breeding at the Cold Hardy Citrus Workshop on Sept. 24 at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office in Perry. Chaires said HLB tolerance “is an essential element of everything that’s being done in the breeding program with a stronger emphasis than …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Blueberry Varieties in Demand
By Frank Giles The Southeast has become a major production area for blueberries, thanks to strong breeding programs at land grant universities in key states. Here’s a look at several popular, new and under-development varieties from those breeding programs. University of Florida/Breeding Team Lead: Patricio Munoz Sentinel Sentinel is a vigorous, early-season, high-yielding cultivar with no known disease issues, although …
Florida Ag Sector Asked to Share Impacts of Hurricane Helene
The Florida agricultural sector has been asked to share the adverse impacts of Hurricane Helene last week. Producers can complete an Economic Impact Analysis Program survey, or they can also report information to their local University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension county offices by calling or visiting in person. Agents will be available to assist. …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Protecting Blueberry Pollinators
By Frank Giles Among the critical elements in blueberry production are pollination and crop protection materials. Managing how those two interact is important to ensure pollinators like honey bees are protected. Recently, Rachel Mallinger, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professor of pollinator ecology and conservation, published a paper on managing pesticide applications during …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Florida Strawberry Grower Seeing Success With Blackberries
By Clint Thompson Florida farmer Matt Parke is still new to the state’s blackberry industry. But that hasn’t stopped him from achieving significant production improvement from year one to year two. Another boost in production could lead Parke to potentially increase acreage in a couple of years. “Once I get through this year and see how it goes and try …
Sen. Ossoff, Rep. Scott Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Push for Disaster Relief Following Helene
Tifton, Ga. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff and Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08) are leading a bipartisan push for disaster relief funding to prevent deep and lasting economic damage to the agricultural industry in the Southeast. Ossoff and Scott, alongside Georgia’s entire Congressional Delegation, led a bipartisan, bicameral group of 34 lawmakers from Southeastern states, urging Congressional Leadership to work with …
Ag Commissioner Simpson Launches Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program for Farmers Impacted by Hurricane Helene
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson has announced that Florida farmers and growers impacted by Hurricane Helene can now apply for interest-free loans through the Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program. Loans can be used by eligible producers to restore, repair, or replace essential physical property – including fences, equipment, greenhouses, and other buildings – …
Growers Cautioned To Be Wary of Fruit Quality Following Helene
Georgia’s citrus growers may have dodged catastrophic results from Hurricane Helene, but they might not know the full impact of the storm for at least a couple of more weeks. Lindy Savelle, executive director of the Georgia Citrus Association, warned that though fruit may still be in the trees, it may have suffered irreparable damage from high winds when the …
Worse Than Michael: Hurricane Helene Devastates Georgia Pecan Industry
By Clint Thompson It is hard to fathom Georgia’s pecan crop sustaining worse hurricane damage than what it sustained from Hurricane Michael in 2018. But that may have been the case following Hurricane Helene last week. While a complete evaluation may not be available for some time due to power outages that remain throughout the state, a preliminary assessment shows …
Storm Aftermath: GFVGA Executive Director Discusses Hurricane Helene Impacts
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) does not have a full scope on the damage left by Hurricane Helene last week. But it knows it was devastating and widespread. Fall crops were in the ground. Blueberry bushes were vulnerable and so were citrus and pecan trees. Chris Butts, executive director of the GFVGA, talked about …



















