Diseases like bacterial spot can threaten tomatoes, a $1.9 billion-a-year crop planted on 330,000 acres across 18 states. Gary Vallad, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) professor of plant pathology, has been awarded a $5.8 million federal grant to study how to mitigate this disease. “Bacterial spot of tomato is a major challenge to commercial …
Agricultural Losses to Hurricane Ian Could Top $1.5 Billion in Florida
The combination of seasonal crops, livestock, nursery and aquaculture products potentially lost as a result of category 4 Hurricane Ian will likely be valued between $787 million and $1.56 billion, University of Florida economists predict. The estimate was released as part of a new document, “Preliminary Assessment of Agricultural Losses and Damages resulting from Hurricane Ian,” from the UF/IFAS Economic Impact …
Hurricane Ian Aftermath: Economists Estimate Up to $1.5 Billion Hit to Florida Agriculture
The combination of seasonal crops, livestock, nursery and aquaculture products potentially lost as a result of category 4 Hurricane Ian will likely be valued between $787 million and $1.56 billion, University of Florida economists predict. The estimate was released as part of a new document, “Preliminary Assessment of Agricultural Losses and Damages resulting from Hurricane Ian,” from the UF/IFAS Economic …
Weekly Field Update – 10/17/22
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Coastal Region Zack Snipes reports, “We have had absolutely beautiful weather as of late. This past week, agents were busy harvesting sweet sorghum to make into syrup, to distill, brew and pop (sorghum popcorn). This old timey tradition …
Attention Strawberry Producers: Keep Plants Watered Amid Colder Temperatures
By Clint Thompson Upcoming cold temperatures in the Southeast could impact strawberry plants being planted. Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties, highlighted in the University of Georgia Extension Strawberry Blog the importance of plants being watered this week as temperatures could potentially drop near or below freezing in some …
H-2A Guidance After Hurricane Ian
The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Foreign Labor Certification has provided Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) with general guidance regarding additional flexibilities for H-2A employers impacted by Hurricane Ian. Most Florida citrus is harvested by temporary H-2A workers. Following is a summary of the DOL answers to four questions about H-2A employer flexibilities due to the hurricane’s impact: …
Rubio Leads Florida Delegation in Urging USDA to Declare Disaster for the State’s Ag Industry
U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL) led bipartisan members of the Florida congressional delegation in issuing a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack in support of Florida’s request to declare a Disaster for Florida counties that were impacted by Hurricane Ian, and to make assistance available to growers whose crops were damaged or …
Georgia Ag Labor Relations Forum Scheduled for Nov. 9-10
By Clint Thompson Specialty crop producers in the Southeast are reminded that registration is ongoing for the annual Georgia Ag Labor Relations Forum. The event is scheduled for Nov. 9-10 at ABAC’s Georgia Museum of Agriculture in Tifton, Georgia. The event is scheduled the day after the Nov. 8 mid-term elections and provides an opportunity for lobbyist Bob Redding to …
New Push for Farm Workforce Modernization Act
By Frank Giles Despite the myriad challenges thrown at Florida growers, when asked what their biggest challenge on the farm is, most reply sourcing labor. This long-time problem was worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Various efforts to ease farm labor pains have been attempted over the years with limited success. A new push is underway to pass the Farm Workforce …
Hurricane Ian Recovery Resources for Growers
Florida Citrus Mutual’s crop estimate luncheon on Oct. 12 included the live announcement of the citrus crop forecast. But the focus of the event was on resources growers can tap into for assistance after Hurricane Ian. Speakers from various agencies shared information that can aid grower recovery efforts. “After the storm, we knew whatever number (for the citrus crop estimate) …