By Clint Thompson Andrew Lovett, a market development specialist with Corteva Agriscience, believes Salibro™ nematicide provides specialty crop producers the most bang for their buck when managing nematodes. “Growers can’t take any risks. If they’re going to pull the trigger on an expensive product, especially a nematicide, then they need it to work. They can definitely have confidence with Salibro™ …
Expo Specialty Crop Sessions Educate Growers
By Clint Thompson A highlight of the annual Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo is the seminar program that focuses on the vegetable and specialty crop industry in Florida. This year’s sessions covered a range of topics, including pest management, alternative crops that growers can take advantage of, and various other research updates from University of Florida Institute of Food and …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Coastal Region Zack Snipes reports, “Wet, wet, wet, with a side of rain for us on the coast. The fields are saturated, and it’s almost impossible to spray or get into the fields to work them right …
Florida Organic Blueberry Production a Challenge
By Cint Thompson Interest in organic blueberry production in Florida has waned in recent years. The late freeze event in January was not helpful in convincing growers to convert production. Phil Harmon, professor and Extension plant pathologist at the University of Florida, discusses the state of the industry in Florida. “Growers have converted a few acres in some cases to …
Improving Soil Health for Citrus Production
By Tacy Callies In an effort to keep HLB-infected citrus trees productive, many Florida growers are turning to techniques aimed at improving soil health and nutrition. This was the subject of a recent seminar hosted by citrus grower Ed James and sponsored by Sand to Soil Services. More than 30 growers of citrus and other crops gathered at James’ grove …
Second Peak of San Jose Scale Activity Expected
By Clint Thompson Peach producers should be wary of a second peak of San Jose scale crawler activity, according to Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. “With the weather starting to come back to whatever normal is and cool down a little bit, I think that will allow the development …
UF/IFAS Extension to Host Vegetable Growers Meeting
South Florida vegetable growers should mark their calendars for Monday, July 11, as the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension will host a virtual meeting on fumigants and systemics. The vegetable growers meeting will be held from noon to 2 p.m. and includes presentations from various UF/IFAS specialists. Josh Freeman will discuss a systems approach …
Oriental Fruit Flies Found in Florida
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has confirmed the presence of Oriental fruit flies, Bactrocera dorsalis, in Pinellas County. Two male flies were captured during routine trapping in a methyl eugenol-baited fruit fly detection trap in St. Petersburg on May 17. Expanded intensified delimitation trapping over the 80-square-mile surrounding area resulted in two additional males being captured in traps …
Mid-Season Pest Activity in Alabama
Insect infestations vary among pests throughout Alabama, according to pest activity from monitoring traps by Alabama Extension. As of June 18, the mid-season pest activity lists beet armyworm moth numbers as doubling fall armyworms (FAW), which is normal in the state. Last year was abnormal with very high FAW activity. Beet armyworms are a threat to beans, beets, cabbage, corn, …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Weekly Crop Updates
Clemson Extension agents provide crop updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Coastal Region Rob Last reports, “Pests and diseases are beginning to increase in the area. Powdery mildew is apparent in cucurbit crops. The most efficacious treatments are Vivando and Gatten. Rotation is critical to protect these …