By Clint Thompson Ideal weather conditions contributed to “exceptional” quality of this year’s watermelon crop. That’s the expectation of two industry experts. “I think the quality this year has been outstanding,” said Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “Some of that is due to the climatic conditions. We had a lot of real, clear, bright …
Plea for Help: Ag Groups Send Letter to Senate Leaders, Want Ag Labor Reform
Close to 300 agricultural groups, including some in Alabama, Florida and Georgia, were part of an Agriculture Workforce Coalition that sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell this week, urging the passing of an agriculture labor reform bill. The letter outlined multiple challenges facing farmers. But the domestic labor shortage remains near …
Climate Change: UF Using Grant to Study Impact on Seed Development
Challenges are not uncommon for vegetable and specialty crop producers. Rising imports and high input costs are just a couple. But what about climate change? “The environment has a huge impact on plant health and reproduction,” said Alfred Huo, UF/IFAS assistant professor of plant breeding. “Plants respond to environmental cues, like temperature, to flower and reproduce in an adaptive manner. …
Commissioner Fried Comments on USDA Citrus Forecast
Tallahassee, Fla. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released updated projections[ ] for citrus production in the 2020-21 season on Thursday. The June forecast projects a 2% increase for Florida Oranges, a one million box increase to 52.7 million boxes, up from 51.7 million boxes in May. This includes a 3% increase in Florida Valencia Oranges. Florida Grapefruit production …
Nutsedge Management Key for Florida Vegetable Growers
By Clint Thompson Nutsedge may not be the most problematic weed Florida vegetable and specialty crop producers encounter every year, but it is a problem. Nutsedge is most concerning because it is the only weed to puncture through plastic mulch, says Nathan Boyd, University of Florida Associate Center Director and Associate Professor of Horticulture/Weed Science at the Gulf Coast Research …
Scab Disease: UGA Extension Encourages Growers to be Alert After Recent Rains
By Clint Thompson Much-needed rain was received this week across the Southeast. But now there is increased risk for scab disease for pecan producers in Georgia and Alabama. Growers need to be on alert and stay vigilant with their spray programs, according to Lenny Wells, University of Georgia, Cooperative Extension pecan specialist. “It had gotten really dry, but the flipside …
Florida Citrus Forecast Continues Improvement
Florida’s citrus forecast for the 2020-21 season continues to improve but lags behind the previous season. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Florida’s all orange forecast was at 52.7 million boxes 2.37 million tons. This is an improvement of 2% from the previous forecast but still a decrease of 22% from last year’s final utilization. Florida’s early, midseason and …
Rubio, Scott Urge Reimplementation of Prohibition on Chinese Citrus Imports
Florida’s two U.S. Senators implored U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack this week to re-implement a prohibition on the importation of five varieties of citrus fruits from China. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL) sent a letter to Vilsack this week in an effort to protect Florida’s citrus growers. The lletter focused on potentially exposing the state’s …
Drought Update: North Florida, South Georgia Remains Abnormally Dry
According to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor, abnormally dry conditions continue to persist across South Georgia and North Florida. As far west as Decatur County, stretching to the coast and as far north as Coffee and Irwin Counties are abnormally dry in Georgia. Counties as far west as Wakulla and Gasden, stretching eastward and as far as south …
AI: UF Research Focused on Helping Strawberry Producers With Weed Control
BALM, Fla. — The future of farming is being researched today with artificial intelligence (AI). University of Florida scientists Nathan Boyd and Arnold Schumann hope to help growers in the strawberry industry, a $300 million-a-year sector in Florida, with weed control. They want to reduce the amount of herbicide spray strawberry growers use during the season. That saves farmers money …