Registration Ongoing for Citrus Expo, Vegetable and Specialty Crop Expo

Web AdminCitrus, Florida, Top Posts, Vegetables

Registration is ongoing for those interested in attending this year’s Citrus Expo and Vegetable and Specialty Crop Expo, scheduled for Aug. 18-19 at the Lee Civic Center in North Fort Myers, Florida. The key issues that are impacting Florida’s citrus, vegetable and specialty crop producers will be discussed during this year’s event. How are unfair trade practices by Mexico impacting …

Insect Pressure Increasing Across Alabama

Web AdminAlabama, Pests, Top Posts

Insect pest pressure is up across Alabama, according to the latest Alabama Insect Pest Monitoring Update on June 19. The latest numbers show that fall armyworms, southern armyworms, corn earworms and squash vine borers are up compared to this time last year. In 19 locations across Alabama, here are the moth numbers compared to last year: Species                             2021 moth …

Sweet Corn Alert: Alabama Growers Be Wary of Pests

Web AdminAlabama, Corn, Pests, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson Katelyn Kesheimer’s message to Alabama’s sweet corn producers is simple: “At this point, if your plants are thinking about silking, be prepared to spray.” The Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist advises producers to be mindful of corn earworms and fall armyworms. Both need to be taken care of before infestations get out of control. “Corn …

U.S. Drought Monitor Update: Florida’s Dry Conditions Diminishing

Web AdminAlabama, Drought, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Top Posts

According to the Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor, dry conditions are slowly diminishing in Florida, especially in the southern part of the state. While most counties, including Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Hendry, Collier and Glades are still abnormally dry, none are in a moderate drought. Other counties that are partially abnormally dry include Polk, Hardee, Manatee and Sarasota in …

Irrigation Management Essential in Pecan Production

Web AdminAlabama, Georgia, Pecan, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson Many elements factor into a successful pecan production season. What were the weather conditions like? Was scab disease a problem? One of the most important factors is irrigation and keeping the trees watered especially during prolonged dry periods and nearing harvest. University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells stressed the importance of keeping trees irrigated during …

When Will it End? Pallet Shortage Continues

Web AdminCoronavirus, Florida, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson One of the most challenging aspects of vegetable production this season doesn’t appear to be ending anytime soon. In fact, it may only worsen when South Florida’s fall production comes back online. The idea of a pallet shortage was unfathomable for producers prior to the COVID-19 global pandemic. But it’s a continuing problem with no end in …

Managing Whitefly-Transmitted Viruses in Georgia

Web AdminCucurbits, Tomatoes, Top Posts, VSCNews magazine

By Bhabesh Dutta and Rajagopalbabu Srinivasan The silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), also known as sweetpotato whitefly, is a pest of several horticultural and agronomic crops in southern Georgia. While direct feeding can injure plants and lead to problems such as silvering of leaves, deposition of honeydew and formation of sooty mold, whiteflies also can transmit numerous devastating plant viruses. Transmission …

North Florida Melon Season Nearing End

Web AdminFlorida, Top Posts, Watermelon

By Clint Thompson Watermelon harvests are nearing an end in North Florida. It’s time to take stock of how production went this season as 80% to 90% of the region’s crop has been harvested. Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, said farmers were satisfied with how this year transpired. “Prices really dictate their happiness. For …

Developing Diseases: Increased Rains Expected to Challenge Melon Growers

Web AdminDisease, Georgia, Top Posts, Watermelon

By Clint Thompson Increased rain events in June mean a potential increase in disease development for Georgia’s watermelon producers. Bhabesh Dutta, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension plant pathologist, said there are a few diseases that growers need to be mindful of following excessive rain in parts of South Georgia over the past week. “I would say I’ve been seeing a …