Whitefly levels are high in many crops across southwest Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Those crops include tomato, eggplant, watermelon and squash. Adults are infesting new plantings of tomatoes and melons quickly. Populations continue to be moderate to high in multiple crops along the east coast. Whitefly infestations are high in various crops in Homestead, …
Using Artificial Intelligence to Assess Storm Damage
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers are using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to quantify damage to fruits and vegetables caused by extreme weather events, such as Hurricane Ian in 2022. When Ian struck on Sept. 28, it brought winds up to 155 mph and caused as much as $1.56 billion in damage to crops, livestock and …
UF/IFAS Ag Engineer Using AI to Assess Crop Damage Following Tropical Storms, Hurricanes
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers are using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to quantify damage to fruits and vegetables caused by extreme weather events, such as Hurricane Ian in 2022. When Ian struck on Sept. 28, it brought winds up to 155 mph and caused as much as $1.56 billion in damage to crops, livestock …
Cold Temperatures Did Not Eliminate Pepper Weevils, Whiteflies
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 …