The annual UF/IFAS Citrus Packinghouse Day will return as an in-person event on Aug. 26 at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred, Florida. The free event will feature workshops and seminars for industry professionals. Interstate and export regulations, food safety regulations, training opportunities and postharvest fruit processing improvements highlight some of the topics of this year’s …
Insect Impact: Whiteflies, Wireworms, Rindworms Impacting Florida Watermelons
Insects are active in North Florida watermelon fields. According to his weekly email, Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, said rindworms remain a problem. Growers need to maintain a good preventative program up until the last week of harvest. There have also been various reports of whitefly populations. This is especially concerning because they vector …
At the Forefront: Strawberry Disease Still on Producers’ Minds
By Clint Thompson Last year presented its share of challenges for Florida strawberry growers; imports, heavy insect pressure and low market prices early in the season, just to name a few. None compared to Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot disease, however. The disease that one producer dubbed the citrus greening of strawberries is on the minds of Florida producers with plantings still …
Mite-y Problem: Spider Mites a Concern During Hot, Dry Conditions
By Clint Thompson Hot and dry weather across the Southeast make for ideal conditions for spider mites in peach orchards. Brett Blaauw, University of Georgia assistant professor in the Department of Entomology, discusses in the UGA Peach Blog what symptoms producers need to watch out for. “At least in peaches, keeping an eye out for bronzing of the leaves. That’s …
Update on Florida Industrial Hemp Diseases
By Nicholas Dufault and Zach Eldred Industrial hemp diseases have continued to be identified in Florida’s production fields and greenhouses across the state. As researchers learn more about how to grow this crop, they are identifying the diseases that will affect the state’s industrial hemp production systems. There is a list of more than 40 currently know hemp diseases; 16 …
Powdery Mildew: Conditions Ripe for Disease
By Clint Thompson North Florida’s watermelon season is nearing an end in multiple fields, but one disease continues to persist. Growers in the region still need to be wary of powdery mildew disease. Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, said in his weekly email that if growers have a couple of harvest weeks left, they …
Florida Farmer: We Need to Protect Our Domestic Demand From Unfair Trade
By Clint Thompson One of the top issues affecting Florida vegetable and specialty crop production is imports. A drastic increase in produce coming from other countries continues to negatively impact the domestic markets. While morale has been low, especially following the U.S. International Trade Commission blueberry decision in February, some farmers remain upbeat. That includes Aaron Troyer, chairman of the …
Pecan Outlook: Hope for Market Rebound in 2021
By Clint Thompson Pecan harvest season is still at least three months away, but one Georgia farmer has high hopes for the upcoming year. “I hope that we’re looking at stronger prices for the coming year. We’re still a good ways out on that. We’ve got a lot of pecans left to try to make between now and harvest. If …
Non-Factor: Whitefly Numbers Low So Far This Season
By Clint Thompson One pest that can have a devastating effect on vegetable crops in the Southeast has been a non-factor so far this production season. But that doesn’t mean growers should let their guard down against whiteflies. “We probably have the lowest populations we’ve had in several years coming out of winter vegetables, which is fantastic,” says Stormy Sparks, …
Fusarium Wilt: Disease Worse This Year Amid Cooler Spring
By Clint Thompson It wasn’t ideal conditions for most watermelon diseases this spring. But one pathogen preferred the cool temperatures. Fusarium wilt, the disease that can cause plant death if the infection is severe enough, has been spotted throughout Florida and in the South Georgia production region, said Josh Freeman, University of Florida/IFAS Associate Professor in Horticultural Science. The cooler …