symposium

Symposium Unites Growers and Ag Industry Professionals

Dan CooperAgriculture, Events

The second annual Growing Together Symposium was hosted at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in early August. The event was a forum for growers and agricultural industry professionals to learn about various business-related topics. Center director Kirsten Pelz-Stelinski welcomed attendees and noted the Apopka, Florida, facility is continuing its …

Blueberry Meeting

Summer Blueberry Meetings Tackle Disease Management in Florida

Dan CooperFruits

By Frank Giles The Florida Blueberry Growers Association (FBGA) and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) hit the road in July to host a series of meetings in key blueberry-growing regions of the state. MANAGE RESISTANCE UF/IFAS researchers covered several production topics during the meetings. Phil Harmon, professor of plant pathology, spoke about disease management …

florida

Update on Florida Ag Legislation and Budget Presented

Dan CooperFlorida, Legislative

By Maegan Beatty In mid-April, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) hosted the 9th annual Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma. The conference examines critical policy issues facing agribusiness leaders and provides economic insights. Participants heard from policymakers, key stakeholders and expert researchers on the farm …

tolerant

Growers Must Settle for HLB-Tolerant Trees While Waiting for Resistance

Dan CooperEvents, HLB Management, Varieties

The dream of citrus varieties being totally resistant to huanglongbing (HLB) disease (citrus greening) is still a distant reality for Florida growers. For now, they must depend on tolerant varieties to lessen the disease’s impact, which is widespread throughout most of the state. Michael Rogers, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center …

site

Site Selection Key When Planting Citrus

Dan CooperCold Hardy, Planting

Before growers in the cold-hardy citrus region plant their first trees, they need to ensure the planting site is viable for production. Muhammad Shahid, assistant professor of horticulture at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, talked about the importance of site selection at the recent Citrus Health Forum held in Quincy, Florida. “You have to think …

pests

Freeze Does Not Have the Same Effect on All Pests

Dan CooperCold Hardy, Freeze, Pests

The Christmas freeze event in 2022 affected some insect pests in the cold-hardy citrus region more so than others, according to Xavier Martini. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professor spoke about his findings during the recent Citrus Health Forum held at the North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC) in Quincy. Martini addressed …

Citrus Health Forum Helps Cold-Hardy Growers

Dan CooperCold Hardy

Production in the cold-hardy citrus region is still in its infancy. Growers and industry leaders need events like the Citrus Health Forum to obtain the necessary information to help this young industry continue to flourish. The latest forum took place at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy …

Commissioner of Agriculture Simpson, Legislative Leaders Launch Hurricane Idalia Recovery Programs

Frank GilesAgribusiness, Hurricanes

The Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and legislative leaders announced the launch of two agricultural disaster recovery programs with over $112 million in funding to help Florida farmers, ranchers, and growers rebuild and recover from Hurricane Idalia. Impacted agricultural producers can now apply for the Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program and the Silviculture Recovery Program. …

diversification

Diversification Continues to Be Key for Cold-Hardy Region

Dan CooperCold Hardy, Varieties

Diversification is key to production remaining sustainable in the cold-hardy citrus region. It is message that industry leaders preach to producers who are looking to grow the citrus industry in North Florida, Georgia and Alabama. John Chater, assistant professor at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center, talked about the importance …

Chilli Thrips: Primary Pest of Florida Blueberries

Web AdminBlueberries, Florida, Pests

By Oscar Liburd and Doug Phillips Over the past few years, chilli thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis) have become the most important insect pest of Florida blueberries, causing substantial injury to plant foliage and typically requiring significant and costly chemical control measures. Chilli thrips have been an economically important pest of vegetable, fruit and ornamental crops throughout Asia, Africa, Oceania the Caribbean …