The focus of citrus breeding at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) differs for fruit produced for the juice market vs. fruit for the fresh market. Citrus breeder Jude Grosser, a UF/IFAS professor of plant cell genetics, spoke during the Cold-Hardy Citrus Field Day at the North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy on Oct. 27. He …
Keeping Florida Citrus Nurseries Viable
By Peter Chaires There are times when this column seeks to illuminate issues that might not be on the front burner of the collective industry consciousness. This is one of those times. Hurricane Ian’s destructive landfall and its unfolding impact on the industry will capture headlines for some time. The devastating impacts of HLB on citrus growers is highly visible, …
Expanding the Olive Footprint in Florida
By Michael Garcia Citrus growers have been fighting HLB for more than a decade. The disease has taken a large toll on the industry, reducing production and threatening infrastructure. The impacts of Hurricane Ian will certainly make production more difficult. Prudence suggests exploring alternative crops, particularly those that benefit from the use of existing citrus infrastructure, are compatible with Florida …
Florida Gulf Coast University Introduces Agricultural and Water Education
By Frank Giles While the land-grant universities come to mind first when it comes to agriculture, other schools are serving the farm sector as well. Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) in Fort Myers is one of those schools and is focused on the business side of agriculture. FGCU has its agricultural credentials based on a farming enterprise with deep roots …
Thrips Pressure Low in Most Florida Crops
Thrips pressure is varying across Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Low thrips pressure is observed in peppers in central Florida. Pressure is also low in pepper and other vegetables in southwest Florida. Scouted thrips are presumed to be Florida flower thrips, as damage is not apparent. Thrips are at low levels in eggplants in Homestead, Florida, …
Florida Farmer Testimonial: I Think Trade is Probably Our Biggest Issue
By Clint Thompson The constant influx of foreign imports on top of Florida vegetables has impacted one producer in how he farms. Chuck Obern with C&B Farms, located south of Clewiston, has discontinued planting certain vegetables he has grown for years. He produced peppers and eggplant for 30 years. But he couldn’t compete with rising imports, so he stopped. “I …
Thrips Pressure Varies Across Florida
Thrips Pressure Varies Across Central, South Florida Thrips pressure is varying across Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Low thrips pressure is observed in peppers in central Florida. Pressure is also low in pepper and other vegetables in southwest Florida. Scouted thrips are presumed to be Florida flower thrips, as damage is not apparent. Thrips are …
Biden Administration Urged to Increase Domestic Diesel Production
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall sent a letter to President Biden on Friday, calling on the administration to bring more domestic supply online. It would reduce costs to all Americans. “Our nation’s food supply is driven by diesel,” President Duvall said in the letter. “Every input that arrives on our farms and ranches is transported by a diesel engine, whether …
Registration Ongoing for AFVGA Annual Conference
Alabama specialty crop producers are reminded that registration is ongoing for the Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) annual conference and trade show, scheduled for Feb. 9-10, 2023, in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The event will include presentations from Alabama Extension specialists, researchers from the University of Georgia and University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Topics will …
Hemp License Applications Available from Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries
Alabama farmers interested in producing hemp have until Nov. 30 to apply for an industrial hemp license from the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI). Applications will only be accepted online through the Kelly Registration System (KRS) at https://agi.alabama.gov/hemp/formsandapplications/. The Alabama Legislature passed the Alabama Industrial Hemp Research Program Act, Section 2-8-380 Code of Alabama 1975 in 2016, tasking …