Alabama Agriculture Relief Program: Deadline is June 25

Web AdminAlabama, Top Posts, Weather

The deadline to submit an application for the Alabama Agriculture Relief Program (AARP) is Friday, June 25. The AARP provides USDA relief funds to growers who suffered losses due to Hurricane Michael. AARP will provide funds for necessary expenses related to the losses of pecans, horticulture crops and uninsured infrastructure damage related to the hurricane’s fallout when it impacted the …

South Florida Tropical Fruits Update

Web AdminFlorida, Top Posts, Tropical Fruit

By Clint Thompson It soon will be an exciting time for tropical fruit producers in South Florida. Alan Chambers, plant geneticist at UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center, said many of the region’s tropical fruits should start producing their crop before long. “A lot of our tropical fruits do struggle in the winter. They’re a little more dormant, calm. Coming …

SWD Impact: Management Key in Controlling Blueberry Pest

Web AdminBerries, Georgia, Pests, Top Posts

According to the University of Georgia Extension Integrated Pest Management blog, a statewide survey of the spotted wing drosophila (SWD), an invasive and costly pest of blueberries, is underway in Georgia. Its purpose is to confirm reports and to develop a distribution map throughout the state. SWD was first found in Georgia in 2010 and can cause up to 20% …

Disease Discovery: Gummy Stem Blight a Problem in North Florida Watermelons

Web AdminDisease, Florida, Top Posts, Watermelon

By Clint Thompson Fusarium wilt is not the only disease affecting North Florida watermelons. According to an email alert sent by Suwannee Valley Extension agents, the region’s watermelon crop is undergoing high gummy stem blight pressure. High temperatures and humidity along with rain showers have provided the perfect environment for gummy stem blight. “In fact, I would be willing to …

Freeze Effect: Alabama’s Late Peach Crop Impacted by Cold Temperatures

Web AdminAlabama, Peaches, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson Early peach varieties are expected to yield positive results for Alabama producers. The latter varieties are a different story, believes Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University. “We’ve got some early varieties that have come in already. We’re about to really get into full swing of the early …

Georgia Farmer: How Do We Stay in Business?

Web AdminGeorgia, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson The math is not adding up for South Georgia vegetable farmer Sam Watson. Input costs are increasing, especially with rare items like boxes and pallets. Yet, market prices remain low. “We have enough struggles dealing with cheap markets and labor problems, we shouldn’t have to worry about a box and a pallet,” said Watson, managing partner of …

Minimum Changes: USDA Updates Citrus Crop Forecast

Web AdminCitrus, Florida, Top Posts

Reductions in the projected Florida grapefruit and tangerine/tangelo crops were the only changes in the May 12 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) citrus crop forecast. USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reduced Florida’s grapefruit crop projection by 2%, to 4.2 million boxes, down from 4.3 million boxes in April. The total 100,000-box reduction was in red grapefruit, which dipped to …

Fusarium Wilt a Problem in Watermelons in South Carolina

Web AdminDisease, South Carolina, Top Posts, Watermelon

According to The South Carolina Grower, fusarium wilt disease is becoming more widespread in watermelon fields in South Carolina. Clemson Plant Pathologist Tony Keinath said fusarium wilt symptoms include wilting of leaves at the crown of the plant, wilting of one vine on a plant or wilting without yellowing of a small plant. The Fusarium fungus is most active when …

Alabama Extension Offers Weed Management Tips for Fruit Producers

Web AdminAlabama, Pests, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson Weeds can be a problem no matter what vegetable or specialty crop a farmer is producing. They contend for nutrients and water and can present major problems for a producer once harvest time arrives. Steve Li, Alabama Extension weed specialist, offered tips for Alabama fruit producers in a recent Alabama Extension Commercial Horticulture Facebook webinar. Blueberries for …

UF Strawberry Breeder: We’re Shifting A Lot of Effort Toward Neopestalotiopsis

Web AdminFlorida, Georgia, Strawberry, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson Yield and quality remain at the forefront of Vance Whitaker’s focus as University of Florida/IFAS strawberry breeder. But not far behind is Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot. “We always have to pay attention to yield and quality, but we’re definitely shifting a lot of effort toward it for sure,” Whitaker said. “It certainly has leapfrogged, probably most traits, at …