Drought Monitor: South Florida Remains Abnormally Dry

Web AdminAlabama, Drought, Florida, Georgia, Top Posts, Weather

South Florida received a substantial amount of rainfall last weekend, but it still remains dry across the region. According to the Thursday’s release of the US Drought Monitor the majority of south Florida and parts of central Florida are abnormally dry. Even counties like Monroe, Collier and Palm Beach are classified ‘D1’ or in a moderate drought. The abnormally dry …

AI: UF Researchers Using Artificial Intelligence to Study Nematodes

Web AdminFlorida, Top Posts

Artificial intelligence (AI) may help Florida producers combat one of the most destructive pests farmers encounter every year. University of Florida (UF) scientists are using AI to identify parasitic nematodes more rapidly. Some nematodes live in the ground and harm plants, while others are beneficial. It is important to distinguish which ones are which, said Peter DiGennaro, a UF/IFAS assistant …

UF/IFAS Extension Agent: Cold Damage Was Close on Watermelons

Web AdminFlorida, Top Posts, Watermelon, Weather

Almost two weeks after a cold Easter weekend, North Florida watermelon producers are still counting their blessings. They understand the minimal damage their crop sustained during a chilly Easter weekend could have been a whole lot worse. “It was really, really close,” said Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “Because a lot of those plants …

Ripening Industry: Georgia Citrus Continues to Grow

Web AdminCitrus, Georgia, Top Posts

One Georgia farmer sees citrus as an emerging industry in Georgia with huge potential. Justin Corbett even compares it to another popular crop that’s dominated the state’s fruit landscape. “I think it has the potential to be a big industry. I compare it to blueberries 10 or 15 years ago, I just hope we don’t follow the same path they …

Labor Shortage? Not According to Southeast Farmers, Industry Leaders

Web AdminExports/Imports, Florida, Georgia, Top Posts

One of the focal points of the U.S. International Trade Commission hearing on the impact imports of cucumbers and squash have on the domestic industry is labor; how much it costs and the availability of it. Lance Jungmeyer, president of the Fresh Produce Association of Americas, insists the lack of workers has led to a quality issue with produce grown …

Reimbursement Program: Application Period Opens Today for North Carolina

Web AdminCoronavirus, North Carolina, Top Posts

RALEIGH – The North Carolina (N.C.) Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is offering financial assistance to employers who have farmworkers with valid H-2A visas that must quarantine during the 2021 growing season due to COVID-19. Two million dollars will be available through the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services COVID-19 Farmworker Quarantine Reimbursement program. The N.C. General Assembly …

Key Investment: USDA Invest in Specialty Crops Grants, Incentives to Purchase Fruits and Vegetables

Web AdminGeneral, Top Posts, Uncategorized

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues to help agricultural producers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Tuesday the availability of more than $330 million to help farmers and organizations in the food supply chain recover from the financial impacts of the pandemic. The funding is part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance …

Scab Disease: To Spray or Not to Spray?

Web AdminAlabama, Georgia, Pecan, Top Posts

The calendar may say it’s time for pecan producers to spray for scab but the weather conditions, combined with the current market season, say otherwise. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist, says it still early to start spraying for scab disease this week. Next week should present a more optimal timeframe. It would also coincide with growers’ …

Peachy: UF Scientists Find Rootstocks That Survive Flooding

Web AdminFlorida, Peaches, Top Posts

Flooding can be problematic for Florida peach producers. It can cause permanent damage to peach trees and lead to tree death. Ali Sarkhost, a UF/IFAS Assistant Professor of Horticultural Sciences, said floods will increase as climate change continues to challenge growers across the world. “If peach farmers experience flooding, the fruit size and quality can be adversely affected, and the tree …

Timely Rainfall Just ‘What the Doctor Ordered’ for South Florida Region

Web AdminDrought, Florida, Top Posts, Weather

South Florida was thirsting for rainfall prior to last weekend. The abnormally dry conditions were alleviated a little bit with steady moisture that soaked the region, says Gene McAvoy, University of Florida/IFAS Regional Vegetable Extension Agent IV Emeritus. “We got about an inch and a half down around Immokalee (Florida). Some places were a little better,” McAvoy said. “It was …