Specialty crop growers are always thinking long-term to prepare for upcoming production seasons. Insecticide resistance is a concern all growers have pertaining to specific pests. Will certain chemistries against certain insects continue to be effective years from now? Some farmers are already encountering resistance issues. Michael Hull, technical services manager at Kemin Crop Technologies, speaks with growers on this subject …
Pongamia: An Alternative Crop With Great Potential In Florida
By Amir Rezazadeh To overcome economic losses from citrus greening disease, Florida citrus growers are looking for alternative crops that could be planted in their current fallow lands. Besides maintaining the ag community’s wellbeing, alternative crops should require low water and nutrient inputs in order to promote environmental sustainability. One such alternative is Pongamia pinnata, also known as pongam, a …
Emerging Leader Development Program Class 12 Announced
The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) has announced the selection of 14 up-and-coming agriculture industry leaders for Class 12 of its Emerging Leader Development Program. Administered by the Florida Specialty Crop Foundation, the creation of the Emerging Leader Development Program back in 2011 has provided 128 young leaders with an immersive experience on the many issues facing the industry …
Insect Impact on Pecans? UGA Specialist Discusses Spray Concerns for Growers
By Clint Thompson It is nearing harvest season for most pecan varieties in the Southeast. Growers should not be concerned about spraying for insects at this point in the season, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist. “Something like Sumner (variety) that’s a little bit later harvested nut, probably one of the later varieties that we have and …
Potential Organophosphate Ban Latest Challenge for Vegetable Producers
By Clint Thompson First chlorpyrifos. Now, potentially, all organophosphate pesticides. What’s the next resource that the Environmental Protection Agency could be petitioned to take away from specialty crop producers? “At some point it becomes a threat to the food supply,” said Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia Extension vegetable entomologist. It’s a concern for Sparks, who believes carbamates could be next. …
Research Update: Strawberry Variety Options for Alabama Growers
By Clint Thompson Alabama Extension strawberry research trials yielded two viable variety options for growers when compared to Camarosa, the market standard. Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the department of horticulture at Auburn University, led the research, evaluating five different varieties at the Chilton Regional Research and Extension Center. “The objective of this study was to …
Downstream Pricing Upends Tomato Suspension Agreement
By Clint Thompson One tomato industry expert remains frustrated at the lack of enforcement over the Tomato Suspension Agreement (TSA). Michael Schadler, manager of the Florida Tomato Committee and executivevice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, voiced his frustrations at the Florida Tomato Conference in Labelle, Florida, over the Agreement. It is an agreement between the Department of Commerce (DOC) and signatory …
Expo Specialty Crop Sessions Educate Growers
By Clint Thompson A highlight of the annual Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo is the seminar program that focuses on the vegetable and specialty crop industry in Florida. This year’s sessions covered a range of topics, including pest management, alternative crops that growers can take advantage of, and various other research updates from University of Florida Institute of Food and …
Rucks Nursery Becomes Conservation Area
A partnership between Conservation Florida, the Polk County Parks and Natural Resources Division and the U.S. Department of Defense secured funding to create a conservation easement for Phillip Rucks Citrus Nursery. The easement provides protection for rare upland wildlife and plant species. The 320-acre nursery is conserved in perpetuity and will never be developed, but will remain productive agricultural land, according …
Tomato Industry Expert Voices Frustration Over TSA
By Clint Thompson One tomato industry expert remains frustrated at the lack of enforcement over the Tomato Suspension Agreement (TSA). Michael Schadler, manager of the Florida Tomato Committee and executivevice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, voiced his frustrations at the Florida Tomato Conference in Labelle, Florida, over the Agreement. It is an agreement between the Department of Commerce (DOC) …