HLB has yet to become a major problem for Georgia’s citrus producers. Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia assistant professor and small fruits pathologist, attributes the disease’s lack of presence in Georgia’s commercial groves to multiple factors. “It still comes down to the fact that, number one, you don’t see symptoms for a while. A lot of our trees are young,” Oliver says. …
Despite Challenges, Florida Citrus Still a Strong Economic Force
Despite challenges from diseases, land development trends and extreme weather, Florida’s citrus industry contributed $6.935 billion to the state’s economy in 2020–21. That’s a conclusion in a recent University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) report, 2020–2021 Economic Contributions of the Florida Citrus Industry. The report estimated the economic contributions for the most recent citrus marketing season for …
Florida Watermelon Producers Could Start Planting This Week
By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon producers are expected to start planting this week in the Suwanee Valley area. Warmer temperatures and the potential for high market prices early in the season are enticing growers to go ahead and start planting earlier than normal, said Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) regional specialized Extension agent …
Irrigation Tips for Florida Farmers
By Ajia Paolillo As the season moves from winter to spring, the irrigation requirements of citrus trees change. Typically, February through May is the drier time of year in Florida with low rainfall amounts in most areas. However, during this period, the trees are actively producing leaves and flowers, setting fruit, and pumping resources to the growing fruit during cell …
Titan Farms CEO: Peach Trees Already Have Open Flowers
By Clint Thompson Earlier bloom periods for peach producers is a phenomenon that has only intensified in recent years. “I don’t care what you want to call it, there is a change to the global pattern,” said Chalmers Carr, owner, president and CEO of Titan Farms, the largest peach producer on the east coast in Ridge Spring, South Carolina. Peach …
Pecan Producers Prepare for Ambrosia Beetles
By Clint Thompson Pecan producers should be wary of the first flight of ambrosia beetles in orchards across the Southeast. That means growers with young trees are susceptible to attacks. Beetles live in wooded areas and respond to stress chemicals released from newly planted trees. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist, believes trees are especially vulnerable following the …
Florida Agricultural Policy Conference to Focus on Farm Bill, Crops
This year’s Farm Bill, commodity outlooks and environmental management issues will headline topics for the eighth annual Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference, scheduled for Thursday, March 2, at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center or via Zoom. Click here to register. The conference engages stakeholders around the state about …
North Florida Watermelon Producers Could Start Planting This Week
By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon producers are expected to start planting this week in the Suwanee Valley area. Warmer temperatures and the potential for high market prices early in the season are enticing growers to go ahead and start planting earlier than normal, said Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) regional specialized Extension …
Minor Crop Farm Alliance: EPA’s Endangered Species Act Proposals Big Challenge for Specialty Crops
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Southeast specialty crop farmers will be challenged to comply with new proposals from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) overhauling how it implements the Endangered Species Act (ESA), warns the Minor Crop Farmer Alliance. “Of course, growers are in favor of protecting endangered and threatened species and their habitats. But the average specialty crop grower is going to …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Weekly Field Update Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Statewide Tom Bilbo reports, “If you’re growing strawberries in the warmest parts of the state and you haven’t been checking and/or spraying your fields for spider mites, you’re going to want to. Last week …