By Clint Thompson Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot disease could have a lingering impact on Florida strawberry production for the foreseeable future. However, it should not be compared with Citrus Greening, the disease that has devastated the state’s citrus industry, believes University of Florida/IFAS strawberry breeder Vance Whitaker. “When you talk about citrus greening, you’re talking about a long-lived crop that you …
UF Strawberry Breeder: We’re Shifting A Lot of Effort Toward Neopestalotiopsis
By Clint Thompson Yield and quality remain at the forefront of Vance Whitaker’s focus as University of Florida/IFAS strawberry breeder. But not far behind is Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot. “We always have to pay attention to yield and quality, but we’re definitely shifting a lot of effort toward it for sure,” Whitaker said. “It certainly has leapfrogged, probably most traits, at …
North Alabama Producers Weathering Late-Season Freeze, Rains
By Clint Thompson Better now than a month from now. That’s the mindset Alabama vegetable and specialty crop producers must have following a late-season frost that impacted the northern portion of the state two weeks ago. “(The frost) made people wait another week or so to set squash, some of their summer crops. That was one thing. We did see …
Looking to the Future: UF/IFAS Research Focused on New Cultivars
FORT PIERCE, Fla. — New citrus cultivars could be the future for food production, believes one University of Florida/IFAS graduate student. Consider the obstacles that stand in the way of citrus production in Florida: Citrus greening, climate change and devastating insects. Martin Zapien is looking to the future to combat these challenges. Zapien’s research takes place at the Indian River …
Active Insects: Alabama Producers Be Wary of Pests
Alabama vegetable and specialty crop producers be alert: Insect pests are active across the state. According to Alabama Extension, the state’s Extension System Vegetable IPM program has started monitoring insects across Alabama. A few locations are active right now. Included are moth counts to date from locations using sticky wing pheromone traps: Beet armyworm – 3; fall armyworm – 20; …
UGA Specialist: Anybody Who Got Plants From That Nursery, They’re Just Decimated
By Clint Thompson What started as a problem for Florida strawberry producers has developed into cause for concern for Georgia farmers. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Fruit Disease Specialist, estimates that at least 10% of Georgia’s crop is infected with Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot, though it could be as high as 20%. Bill Brim, co-owner of Lewis Taylor Farms …
Florida Ag Commissioner: Soul of our Country Built on American Farmers
If the U.S. relies on foreign markets for its food supply, it is a dangerous trend, says Florida Ag Commissioner Nikki Fried. She, like many of her farmers, believe it to be a national security issue. It needs addressing now. “We cannot afford to let our farmers go out of business and sell their land to development and then force …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in the The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Weekly Field Update-5/3/21 Coastal Rob Last reports, “Botrytis (gray mold) is evident in places following rainfall. Sanitation and removal of the infected berries are critical to reducing inoculum loading. Fungicide applications will also be required to prevent spore …
Secret Weapon? AI Could Help Strawberry Farmers against Twospotted Spider Mite
Artificial intelligence (AI) maybe the secret weapon in strawberry farmers’ fight against the twospotted spider mite. University of Florida scientists have developed a smartphone application to detect the annual pest of Florida strawberries. If farmers could detect the pest quicker, they could utilize lower levels of chemicals that could otherwise harm the environment. For Example For a 50-acre farm, every …
Rookie Success: Alabama Strawberry Producer Says First Crop ‘Looks Good’
By Clint Thompson A couple of weeks into Jim Bennett’s first season and the Alabama strawberry producer already regrets not planting more acres than he did. “We’ve talked about planting strawberries since we opened. This year it kind of worked out and decided we’d go for it,” said Bennett, owner of Bennett Farms in Heflin, Alabama. “It’s right at two …