By Clint Thompson The earlier the better when detecting and managing Thrips (T.) parvispinus in vegetable crops. The longer South Florida growers wait to scout, the more susceptible their crops become, especially peppers. Anna Meszaros, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension commercial horticulture agent in West Palm Beach, Florida, updated pepper growers about the insect …
Protecting Harvests: UF/IFAS Entomologist Fights for Florida’s Crops Against Costly Pests
Behind every fresh head of lettuce and pepper on your plate, there’s a team of scientists working tirelessly to protect crops and farmers’ harvests from pests and plant diseases. De-Fen Mou, an assistant professor of entomology at the UF/IFAS Everglades Research and Education Center (EREC) in Belle Glade, is one of the key researchers on the front lines, safeguarding Florida’s …
TSWV a Concern for Alabama Vegetable Farmers
By Clint Thompson Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) should be a concern for Alabama vegetable growers. Two outbreaks since 2020 is cause for concern, especially since there were only two outbreaks in the previous 40 years. Alabama farmers must be mindful of controlling western flower thrips, the major vectors of the disease, says Paulo Gimenez Cremonez, Auburn Assistant Professor and …
A Closer Look: Florida Citrus Show’s Vegetable Seminars
By Clint Thompson The Florida Citrus Show is less than a month away. Southeast specialty crop producers, including from Florida, Georgia and Alabama, are invited to attend this year’s show, scheduled for March 13 in Fort Pierce, Florida. While citrus is a major component of the daylong show, there is a vegetable seminar program scheduled for those wanting to learn …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Corbett Brothers Expanding Amid Increased Challenges
By Clint Thompson If your farming operation isn’t growing, it’s shrinking. That’s the Corbett family motto that’s been passed down from generation to generation. The philosophy serves as the basis for Justin Corbett, who operates Corbett Brothers Farms in Lake Park, Georgia, with his brother Jared. While some specialty crop farms are operating in survival mode due to increased input …
Ag Forecast Announcement: Kent Hamilton Named Georgia Farmer of Year
By Clint Thompson A Georgia produce grower and industry leader was named Farmer of the Year at the 2025 Georgia Ag Forecast meeting on Friday. Kent Hamilton, chief executive officer at Southern Valley, located in Norman Park, was recognized during the Ag Forecast event. He’ll later compete against other farmer of the year recipients from the Southeast for the Sunbelt …
Pest and Disease Hotline: Thrips Parvispinus Update
Thrips (T.) parvispinus remains a concerning pest for Florida’s pepper farmers, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. T. parvispinus population levels are currently low in pepper fields along the east coast. However, at a few locations, infestation levels are moderate to high, especially at field edges located by ornamental nursery operations. Crop scouts report heavy foliar feeding …
South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline: Thrips Populations Update
According to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, thrips pressure is being observed at high populations in Homestead, Florida. Dakshina Seal, entomologist at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Tropical Research and Education Center, has observed high population levels of melon thrips and Asian bean thrips on beans, cucumber and eggplant. Overall populations are …
Hurricane Milton Aftermath: Vegetable Impact Tops $52.5 Million
By Clint Thompson A preliminary report by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Economic Impact Analysis Program shows wide-ranging impact on vegetable crops from Hurricane Milton. Production losses estimated for vegetables, melons and potatoes suffered an economic impact of $52.5 million to $233.2 million in the affected area. Approximately 71.1% of vegetable, melon and potato …
South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline: Whitefly Populations Update
The most recent release of the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline indicates whitefly pressure to be low in the region, except for some fields in Southwest Florida and in Homestead, Florida. Scouts reported increasing population levels in the Immokalee area in various crops, including low to moderate levels in tomatoes, watermelon, eggplant, squash and cucumbers. Whitefly numbers are low …



















