By Clint Thompson The reinvigorated Florida Grower Citrus Show was a crowd-pleaser in its first year hosted by AgNet Media. The annual event was relocated to University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) facilities in Fort Pierce. It was streamlined from a two-day format to a one-day event. The show brought …
Vidalia Onion Producer: We’re Probably About a Week Behind
By Clint Thompson Harvests of early-season varieties of Vidalia onions are lagging behind compared to previous years. That could soon be problematic for growers as the season continues in Southeast Georgia. Jimmy Cowart, who farms 430 acres in Toombs County, highlights the concern he has with certain onions not being fully mature this early in the harvest season. “It’s been …
Freeze Aftermath: Alabama’s Blueberry Crop Devastated by March Event
By Clint Thompson It felt like spring in February and winter in March. Unfortunately, that was a recipe for disaster for blueberries in Alabama. The sub-freezing temperatures on March 20 devastated the state’s blueberry crop, says Jacob Kelley, Alabama Regional Extension agent for Baldwin, Butler, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe and Washington counties in Southwest Alabama. “We had that March …
Florida Tomato Committee Seeks Nominations for 2023-2025
Maitland, FL – The Florida Tomato Committee (FTC) will hold a virtual meeting on Wednesday, May 10, for tomato producers to nominate fellow growers or themselves to serve on the committee for a two-year term, from September 2023 to September 2025. The FTC is a federal marketing order that regulates the handling of Florida tomatoes and supports the industry through …
‘Minor’ Cases of Fusarium Wilt in North Florida Watermelons
By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon producers have begun observing Fusarium wilt disease in this year’s crop. But the reported instances are drastically lower than in previous years, believes Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “I would say it’s very minor. In my opinion, we’ve seen …
Florida Tomato Committee Seeks Nominations for 2023-2025
Maitland, FL – The Florida Tomato Committee (FTC) will hold a virtual meeting on Wednesday, May 10, for tomato producers to nominate fellow growers or themselves to serve on the committee for a two-year term, from September 2023 to September 2025. The FTC is a federal marketing order that regulates the handling of Florida tomatoes and supports the industry …
Alabama Hemp Growers Concerned with Moving Industry Forward
By Clint Thompson Another hemp season is under way across Alabama. The same core group of about 75 producers are still invested in an industry that is still in its early stages of development across the Southeast region. Katelyn Kesheimer, Auburn University assistant professor and Extension specialist, said five different meetings in January generated questions among attendees. Growers voiced their …
Whitefly Infestations Vary Throughout Florida
Whitefly infestations in South Florida range from low populations to high populations, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Pressure is low to moderate depending on the crop and location in the central part of the state. Pressure is extremely high on all crops in southwest Florida. Frequent sprays have helped manage the pests, but adults are continuing to …
North Alabama Peach Producer: Worst I’ve Been Hurt
By Clint Thompson The mid-March freeze event stymied peach trees already in bloom in central and northern Alabama. It is a significant loss for producers, believes Jeremy Calvert, who operates J Calvert Farms in Cullman, Alabama, “I’ve picked 14 crops, and I think this will be my 15th. This is the worst I’ve been hurt,” Calvert said. “We still have …
Pecan’s Water Needs Most Important During Kernel Filling Stage
By Clint Thompson Water management is an essential component of pecan production. Growers need to manage their crop’s water needs throughout the production season, starting now, six months away from harvest season. University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells discussed irrigation management during the recent UGA Pecan Beginners Class held on March 28 in Perry, Georgia. Farmers …