By Clint Thompson The November issue of VSCNews Magazine highlights the upcoming Florida Ag Expo, which will be held on Nov. 18 at the University of Florida (UF) Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma, Florida. The Expo’s return is highly anticipated following last year’s cancellation due to COVID-19. The magazine outlines …
S.C. Producer Named Southeastern Farmer of the Year
South Carolina fruit and vegetable producer Robert “Bob” Martin Hall was named the Swisher/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year on Tuesday during the 43rd annual Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia. Hall, from York, South Carolina, is in his 42nd year of farming. He produces strawberries, peaches, cantaloupes, melons, blackberries, blueberries, sweet corn, peas, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, squash, …
Letter to President: Action Needed Now Against ‘Unfair’ Imports
The message is clear: Action is needed immediately against “unfair” imports. Florida Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, along with more than half of Florida’s congressional delegation, pleaded with President Joe Biden in a letter addressed on Oct. 6 that the “long-standing threats posed to our security by unfairly-priced and high-volume imports are as grave as ever and deserve your …
Scouting Pivotal for Strawberry Producers
By Clint Thompson Scouting remains a pivotal tool in strawberry producers’ fight against Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Fruit Disease Specialist, cautions producers about what to look out for in the early stages of this year’s strawberry season. “At this stage in the fall you would look for leaves with brown leaf spots, especially on …
Crop Updates: Clemson Extension Agents Provide Weekly Summaries
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in the The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Statewide There are some reports that anthracnose may be an issue in strawberries this year. In addition, we are continuing to look out for the new disease, Neopestalotiopsis. Clemson Plant Pathologist Guido Schnabel has recommended applying …
Arthropod Pest Management in Conventional Strawberry Production
By Sriyanka Lahiri Crop rescue through a well-planned pesticide rotation program currently remains the most effective method of pest management in conventionally grown strawberries. However, close monitoring for pests should be conducted as the first line of defense, especially since most strawberry pests are not visible through unaided vision. Thrips Flower thrips immatures and adults can feed on the fruit …
AFVGA Set to Host Annual Conference, Trade Show
By Clint Thompson Registration is ongoing for the upcoming Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) annual conference and trade show on Nov. 18-19 in Gulf Shores, Alabama. After having last year’s conference canceled amid the coronavirus pandemic, officials and industry leaders in Alabama are excited to reunite in November, says Hunter McBrayer, executive director of the AFVGA. “We’re excited …
Sneak Peek: October 2021 VSCNews Magazine
By Clint Thompson The October issue of VSCNews Magazine puts the spotlight on strawberries, one of Florida’s top fruit crops. Sriyanka Lahiri, University of Florida (UF) Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) Assistant Professor of Entomology and Nematology at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, discusses arthropod pest management strategies in conventional strawberry production. She highlighted control methods …
Making Sense of Biologicals: Multiple Modes of Action for Plant Protection
By Clint Thompson The life of a synthetic fungicide is not everlasting. Vegetable and specialty crop producers need alternatives to remain sustainable. As resistance continues to build up in different fungi, some conventional chemistries could become ineffective and obsolete. Biologicals provide growers another option with a different mechanism, says Alex Cochran, chief technology officer for Douglas Plant Health. Resistance Problem …
Growing Primocane-Fruiting Blackberries in Florida
By Fumiomi Takeda The introduction of primocane-fruiting (PF) blackberries by the University of Arkansas is considered a major innovation in the blackberry industry. Anytime a variety or new way of growing a crop can extend the production and marketing season, the crop becomes more important for growers and consumers. In addition to extending the season, this advance has expanded the …