Key Investment: USDA Invest in Specialty Crops Grants, Incentives to Purchase Fruits and Vegetables

Web AdminGeneral, Top Posts, Uncategorized

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues to help agricultural producers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Tuesday the availability of more than $330 million to help farmers and organizations in the food supply chain recover from the financial impacts of the pandemic. The funding is part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance …

Thrips, Thrips, Thrips! Populations Oscillate in South Florida Fields

Web AdminFlorida, Pests, Top Posts, Uncategorized

According to UF/IFAS, Asian bean thrips (ABT) populations continue to swing back and forth across the South Florida region. While flower thrips are the predominant species north of Miami-Dade, a few locations still are reporting ABT at the dominant species. ABT populations ranged from 0.2 to 0.7 per bloom in southeastern Hendry County. Populations were reduced where records of 10 …

Extending Enzymes: UF Hopes to Get More Mileage out of Essential Component

Web AdminFlorida, Top Posts, Uncategorized

Enzymes are an essential element in the cells of all living plants. University of Florida research is tailored towards getting more mileage out of this essential component. Longer lasting enzymes could lead to increased yields in plants that are produced for food, fuel and fiber. That’s the thought process of Andrew Hanson, and eminent scholar and professor in the UF/IFAS …

Avoid Planting Fall Potatoes in Alabama

Web AdminAlabama, potato, Top Posts, Uncategorized

Alabama farmers and gardeners have planted or are currently planting their fall vegetable crops. One crop that Joe Kemble, Alabama Extension vegetable specialist, says producers need to avoid are fall potatoes. They simply don’t do well in any part of the state, due to the high soil temperatures. “Fall potatoes in Alabama do not do well at all. The reason …

Georgia Farmers Testify About Mexico’s Unfair Trade Practices

Web AdminExports/Imports, Georgia, Top Posts, Trade, Uncategorized

Georgia farmers and industry leaders testified on Thursday in virtual hearings with the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office regarding unfair trade practices with Mexico. Each producer shared similar thoughts that some action must be taken, such as a 301 Investigation, because the future of the American farmer is at stake. The hearings provided the U.S. Department of Commerce and Trump Administration …

Collins, Scott Urge Trump Administration to Protect American Farmers From Mexico’s Unfair Trade Practices

Web AdminAlabama, Florida, Georgia, Top Posts, Uncategorized, USMCA

ATLANTA, Ga. – Reps. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) and Austin Scott (R-Ga.) sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer urging the Administration to protect American farmers from Mexico’s unfair trade practices as it works to implement the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). “As you may know, Mexico’s increased market share of produce and perishable goods at record-low prices in the …

Strategies for Sourcing Approved Inputs

Web AdminUncategorized

By Sarah Bostick Access to approved inputs is a challenge in states with few certified organic farms. Agricultural supply stores in these states often don’t have enough demand to keep approved products in stock. But with a little creativity, you can get your hands on all the inputs you need. WHERE TO LOOK Two independent groups determine if an input …

Rapid and Sensitive Method for Detection of Phytophthora Capsici in Irrigation Water Sources

Web AdminGeorgia, Top Posts, Uncategorized, Vegetables, Water

Emran Ali, Owen Hudson, Justin Hand, and Sumyya Waliullah Georgia ranks among the top three states in the nation in vegetable production. One of the most serious diseases in vegetable production in Georgia is Phytophthora blight, caused by the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora capsici. It is a water mold that attacks the roots, foliage, and fruit, causing root rot, crown rot, …

Hot, Dry Weather Impacts Florida’s Tropical Fruits

Web AdminFlorida, Top Posts, Tropical Fruit, Uncategorized, Weather

By Clint Thompson Florida’s hot and dry weather this winter and spring has impacted its tropical fruits, according to Jonathan Crane, University of Florida tropical fruit crop specialist. From lychees to avocados and mangos, none were immune to high temperatures over the past few months. Lychee requires exposure to cooler temperatures. If they don’t get much of that, they don’t …