By Clint Thompson Two insect pests of specialty crops in the Southeast were knocked back but not eliminated by the Christmas freeze event. Stormy Sparks, (UGA) Extension vegetable specialist, confirmed that pepper weevils and whiteflies are still a problem ahead of spring plantings despite multiple days of sub-freezing temperatures. “In whiteflies we killed a lot of adults. We probably did …
Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference Offers Up Comprehensive Education Program
Registration is ongoing for the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference scheduled for Jan. 5-8, 2023, in Savannah, Georgia. The annual meeting brings together farmers and industry leaders from across the Southeast as well as provide educational sessions that cover commodities across the entire gamut of the specialty crop industry. These include blueberries, caneberries, citrus, muscadines, peaches, strawberries, vegetables, Vidalia …
Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference to Highlight Issues Growers Are Facing
Registration is ongoing for the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference scheduled for Jan. 5-8, 2023, in Savannah, Georgia. The annual meeting brings together farmers and industry leaders from across the Southeast as well as provide educational sessions that cover commodities across the entire gamut of the specialty crop industry. These include blueberries, caneberries, citrus, muscadines, peaches, strawberries, vegetables, Vidalia …
UF/IFAS Extension Agent: We Need to Manage Fertilizer More Efficiently
By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon producers should be wary about the dangers of applying too much water. It can result in leeching of nitrogen in their sandy soils. Producers who apply too much water not only lose the excess water, but they also lose the fertilizer and then yields. Mark Warren, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural …
Correct Disease Diagnosis Crucial for Producers
By Clint Thompson An incorrect diagnosis of a plant disease can be a costly error for a producer. In an era where input prices are just as high as they have ever been, a farmer can ill-afford to apply the wrong fungicide. Gary Vallad, professor of plant pathology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) …
Whitefly Numbers Increasing Across South Florida
Vegetable producers should be wary that whitefly populations are increasing in South Florida, according to the most recent release of the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Population numbers have reached high levels in some locations in the southwestern part of the state, though levels are low in other areas. Whiteflies are present in squash, cucumbers and watermelons in Homestead, …
Growth of Specialty Crops Highlights Need for Expanded Risk Management Tools
Specialty crops including fruits, vegetables and nuts make up almost one-third of total crop sales in the United States. A large number of specialty crop acres remain uninsured, however. American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) economists examined specialty crop coverage in the latest Market Intel and found that more than 80% of the acreage of hazelnuts, kiwifruit, strawberries and lettuce remain …
Whitefly Populations Increasing Across South Florida
Florida’s vegetable producers should be wary that whitefly infestation numbers are increasing across the southern part of the state, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Reports indicate that whiteflies in southwest Florida re moderate and increasing on tomato, pepper, eggplant, squash, cucumber and watermelon. High numbers are reported to have been moving into young fields from mature …
Melon Producers Plan Early to Protect Against Gummy Stem Blight
It is never too early for watermelon producers in the Southeast to start thinking about management options for gummy stem blight disease. As Clemson Extension vegetable pathologist Tony Keinath puts it, “Early is on time.” He reminded growers in The South Carolina Grower that they should allow time to purchase the right fungicides in case of potential shortages. What Worked? …
UF/IFAS Research Gives Back Food Year-Round
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research and education centers (RECs) produce fruits and vegetables across Florida to develop production techniques and cultivars that benefit farmers. These centers are spread from Jay in the Panhandle to Homestead in Southeast Florida. So, what happens to all that fresh food? Much of it is donated to community food …