It is the peak season for snap beans in the U.S. Two Southeastern states continue to lead the country in domestic production. According to USDA Economic Research Service, the 2017 Census of Agriculture reported Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, California and Texas as the leading fresh-market snap bean states. Florida is the primary domestic supplier from November to April, with additional volume …
Say Hello to the Newest Citrus Achievement Award Winner
See why Larry Black says grower expertise and scientific advancement will eventually win the day over HLB.
Potential Benefactors: Broadband For Rural America Act Would Aid Precision Ag
By Clint Thompson The Broadband For Rural America Act, introduced Thursday by Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, Republican Leader of the Agriculture Committee, would vastly improve farming operations. Precision agriculture concepts have become more widespread in their use. They improve the efficiency and profitability of producing and harvesting a crop by working the different parameters that affect that crop’s growth. These techniques …
New Tool in the Toolbox for Citrus Growers?
APOPKA, Fla. — Florida citrus producers need all the help they can get in combating the citrus greening disease. What about a tool that could aid trees already suffering from the disease? University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences may have a new in the citrus toolbox. Researchers found that injecting a benign Xylella fastidiosa EB92-1 bacteria biocontrol …
Hurricane Preparation and Recovery for Fruit and Vegetable Growers
By Pam Knox The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season is on the horizon, and now is the time to get ready for whatever storms may come your way. Even if you get missed this year, long-term preparation will help you get ready for any disaster that might occur on your farm, even if it is not weather-related. There are four steps …
Alabama Agriculture Relief Program: Deadline is June 25
The deadline to submit an application for the Alabama Agriculture Relief Program (AARP) is Friday, June 25. The AARP provides USDA relief funds to growers who suffered losses due to Hurricane Michael. AARP will provide funds for necessary expenses related to the losses of pecans, horticulture crops and uninsured infrastructure damage related to the hurricane’s fallout when it impacted the …
Statistically Speaking: Imports Increasing Dramatically
Imports are a real concern for vegetable and specialty crop producers across the Southeast and were the basis for a couple of U.S. International Trade Commission hearings. A closer look at the most recent USDA data explains why. According to the USDA Vegetable and Pulses Outlook: April 2021, the value of all vegetable and pulse imports totaled $16.1 billion in …
Fresh Produce: How UF Scientists Are Using AI to Cut Food Waste, Loss
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Fresh produce can look a lot different on your table than it did when first harvested from the field. What was once fresh and vibrant looks wilted and moldy. Tie Liu feels your pain. “Everybody has this problem: Which of these vegetables or fruits should I use first? Guess wrong, and you end up throwing out the …
Auburn Economist Encourages Enrollment in CFAP 2
By Clint Thompson CFAP 2 remains an option for vegetable and specialty crop producers impacted by COVID-19. Growers in Florida, Georgia and Alabama can take advantage of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program which is designed to aid producers who faced market disruptions because of the pandemic. “This is something that is in response to the pandemic that we’re facing and …
Florida, Georgia Remain Two of Top Blueberry-Producing States
By Clint Thompson Two of the top blueberry-producing states remain Florida and Georgia. They continue to produce their share of blueberries, according to the USDA 2020 summary. Georgia was third in the country behind Washington and Michigan in harvested areas in 2020 with 16,000 acres, a decrease from 16,200 in 2019. Georgia also produced 4,640 pounds per acre. Florida produced …