By Clint Thompson Not all is bad when producers think about the hot and dry conditions throughout the Southeast. Disease pressure has been extremely light in South Georgia vegetable fields, according to Ty Torrance, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Vegetable Agent for Colquitt, Tift and Worth Counties. “Foliar fungal diseases or bacterial diseases is the only thing that this hot, …
South Carolina Grower: 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 Coastal Rob Last reports, “On the whole, disease pressure in most crops remains low. The exception is cucurbits where we are finding powdery mildew in cucumbers as well as downy mildew. Cucurbit bacterial …
Weed Control Key in Vegetable Production
By Clint Thompson Weed control remains a vital management tool for Florida vegetable and specialty crop producers. Weeds like nutsedge, ragweed and pigweed can fight for essential nutrients and water that crops need to grow and produce yields. But according to Peter Dittmar, University of Florida/IFAS Extension weed scientist, there are other reasons for producers to try to keep their …
When to Irrigate During Prolonged Dry Conditions
By Clint Thompson Irrigation is a key component of farming vegetables and specialty crops. With scorching temperatures and dry conditions expected for the foreseeable future, producers need to keep their crops watered to maximize yield production. Andre da Silva, Assistant Professor of Vegetable Crop Systems at Auburn University, said it depends on what type of irrigation systems that farmers have …
Crops Update: Clemson Extension Agents Provide Updates Across State
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in the The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Coastal Rob Last reports, “As we mentioned last week, cucurbit downy mildew has been confirmed in cucumber crops locally. All cucurbit growers should be applying downy-mildew specific fungicides, such as Ranman tank mixed with either chlorothalonil …
Be Prepared: Spider Mite Populations Could Spike During Hot, Dry Conditions
By Clint Thompson It’s expected to get hot and dry across the Southeast. Some areas are expected to approach 100 degrees Fahrenheit. For vegetable and specialty crop producers, they need to keep an eye on spider mites, believes Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist. “Getting hot and dry like this and stay that way for a while, …
South Florida’s Vegetable Production Ends With a ‘Whimper’
By Clint Thompson South Florida’s vegetable season started off strong but ended with a “whimper,” according to Gene McAvoy, associate director for stakeholder relations at the University of Florida/IFAS. “It was pretty strong there in January and February. Then Mexico started coming in with more product, especially in April,” McAvoy said. “It varies by crop. Sweet corn had probably the …
Tomato Expert: (Pallets) Are One of Those Things You Never Thought About
By Clint Thompson Florida’s tomato season is nearing an end this year. While the crop struggled amid the coronavirus pandemic, growers were able to finish production amid a supply shortage, specifically with pallets. But the fall crop is just around the corner. That is a concern for Bob Spencer, President of West Coast Tomato in Palmetto, Florida. “We never experienced …
Updated: Alabama Pest Report
By Clint Thompson Certain insect pest populations are increasing across Alabama. According to the 2021 Alabama Pest Report, the moth counts for fall armyworms and corn earworms are high. Data taken from sticky wing pheromone traps from eight locations across the state show that the fall armyworms numbered 82, up from the previous report of 20. Corn earworms were at …
Lingering Effect: COVID-19 Still Impacting Tomato Industry
By Clint Thompson The coronavirus pandemic continues to have a lingering effect on Florida’s tomato industry. Bob Spencer, President of West Coast Tomato in Palmetto, Florida, said it’s been a rough year for Florida producers. COVID-19 is a main reason why as are imports from Mexico. “The majority of our produce is used in food service. A lot of it …