Grower Sees More Damage From Season’s Second Freeze

Web AdminCitrus, Weather

Another freeze event last weekend could spell doom for some citrus trees produced in the cold-hardy citrus region. Kim Jones, president of the Cold Hardy Citrus Association, discussed the dire situation facing growers in the region. “I think we had some damage to some new growth that had come out from the last freeze. I can’t tell how much, but …

Thrips Parvispinus Species Damaging Peppers in Palm Beach County

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The thrips parvispinus species that was first detected in the United States in 2020 is wreaking havoc on pepper plantings in eastern Palm Beach County, Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Scouts have observed that the species is causing substantial damage in young and mature plantings in the region. Other fields have experienced low levels of …

Citrus Industry Leaders Call for Disaster Relief

Web AdminCitrus

By Frank Giles Florida citrus leaders will testify before the Florida Senate Agriculture Committee on Jan. 17 to provide lawmakers with a sense of the disastrous impact last year’s hurricanes had on the crop and growers’ financial positions.  Among those testifying are Christa Court, director of the economic impact analysis program, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences; …

Ecosystem Services Move Forward in Florida

Web AdminCitrus, Fruits, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

By Frank Giles Farming has never been an easy profession, but the past few years have placed even bigger burdens on the job. The pandemic, supply-chain disruptions, inflation and extreme weather events have all placed additional challenges on profitability. Even before the pandemic, a group of growers in Florida began recognizing challenges to their sustainability was a larger discussion than …

All Georgia Citrus Saw Impacts from Christmas Freeze

Web AdminCitrus, Weather

By Clint Thompson This winter season provided the first cold challenge for Georgia-produced citrus. With multiple days of sub-freezing temperatures during Christmas week, the impact was not good for trees produced throughout the state. Jake Price, University of Georgia (UGA) Lowndes County Extension coordinator, discussed the situation during the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference in Savannah, Georgia. “Pretty much every variety …

U.S. Trade Representative Acknowledges Problem With Rising Imports

Web AdminExports/Imports

By Clint Thompson The U.S. trade representative (USTR) promised specialty crop producers help but not an investigation into imports of Mexican produce. For one industry leader, that is at least an acknowledgement that Southeast fruit and vegetable producers are suffering from unfair trade practices. “The fact that they’ve agreed to set up a stakeholder committee is an acknowledgment that they …

Christmas Freeze Effect: ‘Every Variety’ of Georgia Citrus Suffered Damage

Web AdminCitrus

By Clint Thompson This winter season provided the first cold challenge for Georgia-produced citrus. With multiple days of sub-freezing temperatures during Christmas week, the impact was not good for trees produced throughout the state. Jake Price, University of Georgia (UGA) Lowndes County Extension coordinator, discussed the situation during the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference in Savannah, Georgia. “Pretty much …

Nematode Applications Effective for Peachtree Borer Insects

Web AdminPeaches

By Clint Thompson Peach producers who have problems with peachtree borer insects should consider nematodes as a management option. No, not the harmful worms that can devastate plants. These are entomopathogenic nematodes that seek and destroy the borer insects, says Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. “If growers have peachtree …

Wild Radish More Challenging for Vegetable Producers

Web AdminWeed Management

By Clint Thompson Wild radish has long been a problematic weed for vegetable producers. Unfortunately, the problem is becoming more of a challenge to manage. Stanley Culpepper, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension weed specialist, discussed the scenario facing growers during last weekend’s Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference in Savannah, Georgia. “Wild radish has certainly been a challenge for …

Moth Counts Collected by Alabama Extension

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Moth counts compiled by Alabama Extension showed that a wet spring and dry summer in 2022 had a major effect on pest populations. The following insect counts were collected last year at 26 locations from May to October. Beet armyworm activity was four times more than the fall armyworm. There were 807 beet armyworm moths in 2022 compared to 252 …