Florida Blueberry Grower: Roller Coaster of Warm, Cold Temperatures

Clint Thompson Blueberries, Florida

By Clint Thompson Weather challenged Florida blueberry production this year. It continues to disrupt harvest plans for growers who have already started picking this year’s crop. “It’s been a roller coaster of warm and then cold; warm and then cold. By the time it gets going, it gets shut down,” said Gary Smith, producer located in Winter Haven, Florida, who …

Seeing Red: Appearance Important Trait in Tomato Breeding

Clint Thompson Florida, Tomatoes

By Clint Thompson Tomatoes possess specific traits that growers desire to attract would-be consumers. These include quality, yield, shelf life, etc. Appearance is one, if not, the most important characteristic, says Jessica Chitwood-Brown, assistant professor of horticulture at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma, Florida. She spoke …

South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline: Leafminer Activity Increasing

Clint Thompson Florida

Leafminer pressure is reportedly high and moderate across certain areas of South Florida. According to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, pressure is moderate overall in Southwest Florida. Infestation levels increased to high in some tomato and watermelon fields in the area. Infestations are also moderate and holding steady in watermelon fields along the east coast. Extreme pressure is …

Labor, Trade Highlight FFVA Letter to USDA

Clint Thompson Florida

The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) is urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to strengthen Florida’s specialty crop industry. The FFVA submitted a letter to the USDA last week, outlining recommendations on how it could better support the state’s specialty crop industry, through the USDA’s Specialty Crop Competitiveness Initiative. The recommendations stemmed from the current challenges Florida growers …

Florida Tomato Assessment Rate Could Increase By One Cent

Clint Thompson Florida, Tomatoes

Florida tomato producers are facing a proposed assessment rate increase for tomatoes produced in the state, from $0.025 cents to $0.035 cents, per 25-pound carton. This comes as a recommendation from the Florida Tomato Committee and would increase the assessment rate for 2023-2024 and subsequent fiscal periods. The proposed rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless it is modified, suspended …

Blueberry Field Day: Helping Growers Remain Sustainable Now, Into the Future

Clint Thompson Blueberries, Florida

By Clint Thompson Florida blueberry producers hope to remain sustainable now and into the future. That is why Thursday’s Florida Blueberry Growers Association spring meeting and field day at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Plant Science Research and Education Center in Citra, Florida, was so important. UF/IFAS researchers and graduate students provided vital information …

UF/IFAS Scientists Hope to Lengthen Shelf Life of Artichokes

Clint Thompson Artichoke, Florida

It is the heart of Florida’s artichoke season. When consumers go to the grocery store, they want this favorite to be ripe and fresh. But the vegetable has a short shelf life – about two days at 62 degrees, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) experts say. UF/IFAS researchers are using genetics to preserve artichokes an …

Too Much of a Good Thing: Excessive Water a Problem for Florida Strawberries

Clint Thompson Florida, Strawberry

By Clint Thompson This year’s strawberry season has reminded Florida growers about the danger of too much water. “Any berry that gets wet, you’re going to start getting botrytis on it. It doesn’t matter if it’s a strawberry, blackberry, blueberry; whatever berry it is, it’s going to start to rot,” said Matt Parke, farm manager of Parkesdale Farms in Plant …

South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline: Pepper Weevil Populations Increasing

Clint Thompson Florida

Vegetable farmers in South Florida should be wary that pepper weevil populations are increasing across the region, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Infestations are increasing overall in Southwest Florida. They have reached moderate levels in older fields, while adults are migrating from mowed fall fields into spring fields that are in production. Population levels vary along …

Abnormally Dry Conditions Present in Southeast

Clint Thompson Alabama, Drought, Florida, Georgia

Abnormally dry weather conditions are more prevalent in one area of the Southeast, though the region remains mostly drought free, according to the latest release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. The southwest corner of Alabama and part of the Florida Panhandle are abnormally dry. The dry area in Alabama starts in Mobile and Baldwin counties and expands northward to include …