By Clint Thompson Strawberry prices are high right now for Florida growers. But they need to be for producers to keep their collective heads above water. In an agricultural era marred by soaring input expenses, growers yearn for high market prices to offset historical highs for expenses like diesel and labor. “Market prices have been higher, but with that being …
NRCS Encourages Producers to Attend Upcoming RMA Workshop
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) encourages producers and industry leaders to attend an upcoming virtual workshop about the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) and Micro Farm insurance options, scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 11 a.m. (Est.) The USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) is offering virtual workshops and in-person roadshow workshops that will highlight updates …
Trunk Injection Soon to Become Reality in Florida Citrus
The Gulf Citrus Growers Association (GCGA) hosted a luncheon on Dec. 7 at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center featuring a presentation by Tom Johnson, chief executive officer of TJ BioTech. The company is the manufacturer of ReMedium TI, the widely discussed formulation of oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OTC-HCI) that has shown promise as a treatment for HLB. The product is …
Fumigation: Pros and Cons Discussed at Annual Watermelon Meeting
By Clint Thompson Despite stringent regulatory requirements and high costs, fumigation remains a vital tool in a specialty crop producers’ toolbox when managing certain pests. “The reality is there’s just some pests and some crops where that is our most reliable tactic,” said Josh Freeman, an agronomist and regional manager with TriEst Ag Group. “Consider peppers for example. You have …
Florida Strawberry Grower: Volume is Not Quite There Yet, But It’s Coming
By Clint Thompson Florida’s strawberry growers had a delayed start to the season; some intentionally and others by Hurricane Ian. Matt Parke, farm manager of Parkesdale Farms in Plant City, Florida, estimates that 80% of the industry decided to begin plantings later this year, a week later than normal. But then some had plants ready to go before being sidelined …
UGA Study Aims to Help Farmers Transitioning to Organic Production
By Maria M. Lameiras Organic agriculture has attracted both longtime producers and new farmers into the industry, as demand for organic food continues to increase. University of Georgia (UGA) scientists are coordinating new research designed to develop best practices for transitioning farmers starting out with land that has been used for grazing or has lain fallow. “Breaking new ground is …
Emphasis on Economics Aimed at Grower Profitability
By J. Scott Angle, jangle@ufl.edu, @IFAS_VP Eight new University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) economists focused on Florida agriculture will help growers get ahead of what happens in board rooms, government hearings and legislative debates. UF/IFAS provides you with the science to grow the world’s best fruits and vegetables and the knowledge to grow them profitably. …
Warmer Temperatures Not Good for Pierce’s Disease Control in Grapes
By Clint Thompson Unseasonably warm temperatures have one University of Georgia plant pathologist concerned about the impact on Pierce’s disease in grapes. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Extension fruit disease specialist, discussed the potential dire situation facing some grape producers. “The concern I have on grapes, especially the European wine grapes in North Georgia, is with these warm temperatures we’re …
Thrips Levels Mostly Low in Florida
Thrips populations remain at low levels across most of southern Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Thrips in Southwest Florida are unanimously at low populations. Reports include thrips in peppers, Asian bean thrips and flower thrips. They are mostly at low levels on the east coast, but there was one report of a moderate infestation on …
Citrus Sampling of Varieties Grown in Gainesville
Consumers have different tastebuds that make them prefer certain fruit more than others. What one may like, another may reject. This is especially true in the citrus industry where palate and consumer preference play a role in what varieties growers choose to produce. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) campus in Gainesville hosted a recent citrus meeting …