By Clint Thompson Insects are hard enough to manage if you are a specialty crop producer. The threat of a lack of pesticides due to regulatory enforcement is making something difficult even more challenging. Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist, discussed the outlook during the recent Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference in Savannah, Georgia. “The …
UF/IFAS EREC to Celebrate 100 Years
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Everglades Research and Education Center (EREC) will celebrate its 100-year anniversary on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023. The event will include research tours of the EREC and feature various talks focusing on the center’s history. Scott Angle, UF/IFAS Senior Vice President, will provide an administrative welcome. Keynote speakers include Jim …
Alabama Fruit Still Lagging Behind in Chill Hours
By Clint Thompson The Christmas freeze and mid-January freeze events provided much needed chill hours for Alabama’s fruit tree crops. But commodities like peaches are still lagging behind last year’s totals, says Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University. “(Chill hours) are up a little, but they’re actually behind where we …
USDA Provides More Than $4.7 Million to Projects That Protect Florida Agriculture and Natural Resources
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is allocating more than $4.7 million to Florida as part of a nationwide effort to strengthen the country’s infrastructure for pest detection, surveillance, and mitigation, as well as protecting the U.S. nursery system. “Florida’s 47,500 farms and ranches span 9.7 million acres. It’s a major producer of oranges, strawberries, tomatoes and melons,” …
January Freeze Nips Some Sweet Corn
By Clint Thompson A mid-January freeze event impacted sweet corn production in South Florida. The significance of the impact during the weekend of Jan. 13-15 depends on what production stage the corn was in. Tori Rumenik, commodity services and supply chain manager for the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, elaborated on how some producers were affected by the freeze burn …
Deadline Looming for Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds specialty crop farmers that assistance is available to help cover expenses of complying with regulatory and market-driven food safety certification requirements. Applications for the Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops (FSCSC) program for eligible 2022 costs are due by Tuesday, Jan. 31. The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) will accept applications for 2023 …
Mid-January Freeze Impacts Sweet Corn Production
By Clint Thompson A mid-January freeze event impacted sweet corn production in South Florida. The significance of the impact during the weekend of Jan. 13-15 depends on what production stage the corn was in. Tori Rumenik, commodity services and supply chain manager for the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, elaborated on how some producers were affected by the freeze burn …
Mating Disruption Effective Treatment for Peachtree Borers
By Clint Thompson Mating disruption is an effective treatment for peach tree borers and lesser peachtree borers. One application in early March can last all season for peach producers. However, the management tactic may only be effective if nearby peach growers are implementing the tactic as well. Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural …
High Whitefly Levels in South Florida
Whitefly levels are high in many crops across southwest Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Those crops include tomato, eggplant, watermelon and squash. Adults are infesting new plantings of tomatoes and melons quickly. Populations continue to be moderate to high in multiple crops along the east coast. Whitefly infestations are high in various crops in Homestead, …
Florida Congresswoman Kat Cammack Announces Selection to House Ag Committee
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The House Committee on Agriculture announced its committee roster for the 118th Congress. Representative Kat Cammack will serve a second term on the committee as the only Florida Republican of the 26 GOP Conference members appointed. “It’s an honor to serve a second term on the Agriculture Committee,” Cammack said. “2023 is a big year for the …