Well water quality and irrigation system management should be a top priority for vegetable and specialty crop producers gearing up for the spring season. Gary Hawkins, an Assistant Professor in Water Resource Management at the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, said a good clean well has reduced risks of pathogens and other bacteria in it. Testing …
Drip Irrigation Efficient Means to Deliver Water to Plants
Drip irrigation vs. overhead irrigation? That truly is the question for vegetable and specialty crop producers in Alabama who are poised to produce a crop in 2021. Eric Schavey, Regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama, advises producers to choose drip irrigation. It is more efficient in delivering water to the plant roots. “As far as a production standpoint, the drip …
Treading the Produce Safety Rule Agricultural Water Requirements
By Taylor Langford, Matt Krug and Michelle Danyluk The Food Safety Modernization Act’s Produce Safety Rule (PSR) highlights the need to reduce risks associated with agricultural water (e.g., irrigation, fertigation, foliar sprays, frost protection, etc.) that will contact fresh produce. The PSR requires some growers to monitor the quality of their agricultural water by analyzing generic E. coli populations through …
Facts of the Flow: Lake Okeechobee, 2020 Year-to-Date
(SFWMD) — Here is the latest update on inflows into Lake Okeechobee for the calendar year to date. This data is provided by SFWMD’s DBHYDRO database. There has been no back-pumping into Lake Okeechobee from the Everglades Agricultural Area this year. Source: South Florida Water Management District
Mulch Improves Water Conservation in Vegetable Production
By Juan Carlos Díaz-Pérez For centuries, horticulturists have modified the crop microenvironment to extend the production season and enhance crop growth, yield and quality. Some of the techniques to achieve environmental modification include the use of mulches, high tunnels, greenhouses, etc. Mulches are widely used in both conventional and organic vegetable production. According to Wikipedia, “a mulch is a layer …
Smart Irrigation Tools for Blueberry Growers
By Vasileios Liakos One of the goals of the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (UGA CAES) is to develop new irrigation methods and tools for crops. Researchers, including myself, Erick Smith, George Vellidis and Wes Porter, have been developing smart irrigation scheduling tools for blueberry growers in Georgia since 2015. Smart irrigation is a new method …
Facts of the Flow: Lake Okeechobee, 2020 Year-to-Date
(SFWMD) — Here is the latest update on inflows into Lake Okeechobee for the calendar year to date. This data is provided by SFWMD’s DBHYDRO database. There has been no back-pumping into Lake Okeechobee from the Everglades Agricultural Area this year. Source: South Florida Water Management District
Florida Preps for Algae Blooms from Lake Releases
(NSF) — Measures are in place to offset potential blue-green algae blooms after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers started Wednesday to schedule water releases from lower Lake Okeechobee, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection. A news release late Wednesday said the department and the South Florida Water Management District are prepared to use “innovative technology” if needed …