How La Niña Could Impact Weather and Crops

Web AdminWeather

By Pam Knox In October 2021, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that a La Niña event had begun. It has an 87% chance of continuing through the winter. Since that time, the event has affected weather across the world, including many crop-growing areas of the United States. This article looks at what La Niña is and how …

Target Spot Flaring in Florida Tomatoes

Web AdminFlorida, Tomatoes

Target spot disease is present in numerous tomato fields across south Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. The disease is increasing in eastern Palm Beach County. It is present in most all of the tomatoes in the Manatee Ruskin area and will continue to worsen amid foggy weather and harvest activity. Target spot continues to move …

EU Ban of Pesticides Could Impact U.S. Growers

Web AdminPests, Top Posts

By Frank Giles Mike Aerts, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association’s vice president of science and regulatory affairs, recently shared an update from the European Union (EU) that could impact maximum residue limits (MRLs) allowed in the 27-member-country body. MRLs govern the amount of allowable pesticide residue on a food product in order to enter a country. Because the EU has …

Mite-y Big Problem in South Florida

Web AdminFlorida, Pests, Top Posts

According to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, few spider mite hotspots remain around Homestead, Florida. Broad mites continue to stay active in the area as well. A similar scenario is being reported in the southwest part of the state, too. Spider mites are showing up in various locations on cucurbits, tomatoes and eggplants. Broad mites have flared up …

Avoid Fungicide Resistance Development in Peaches

Web AdminDisease, Georgia, Peaches, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson Avoiding fungicide resistance in peach production is front and center of Phil Brannen’s presentation this week at the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference in Savannah, Georgia. The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Fruit Disease Specialist cautions producers about overusing products like Miravis to protect against peach scab disease. “The thing about Miravis that’s tempting is it’s …

Small-Scale Production Practices

Web AdminOrganic, Top Posts

By Ida Vandamme Organic products have become mainstream as more people want to be aware of production practices, ingredients and inputs into their food and household items. Given the current supply-chain issues and labor shortages, many people also are turning to local businesses and even starting businesses of their own. Here are some important considerations when thinking about starting and/or …

Rains Alleviate Some of Dry Conditions in Southeast

Web AdminAlabama, Drought, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina

By Clint Thompson Recent rains alleviated some of the dry conditions being felt across the Southeast region, especially in Georgia and Alabama, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Only a small part of North Georgia remains abnormally dry, including Union County, Fanning County, Gilmer County, Dawson County, Towns County and Lumpkin County. Only a couple of counties in South Georgia …

Diminished Pecan Crop in Southeast Alabama

Web AdminAlabama, Pecan, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson Southeast Alabama may be a small sample size of pecan production in the state, but its lower-than-normal crop epitomizes what growers are feeling statewide – the crop was diminished substantially this season. “It was a tough year,” said Neil Kelly, Alabama Regional Extension agent in Southeast Alabama. “Overall production is going to be real light. It’s also …

Georgia Pecan Estimate: Diminished Crop Compared to 2020

Web AdminGeorgia, Pecan, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson Georgia’s final pecan total this season is estimated to be less than half of its total in 2020. While that’s not a surprise to growers and industry leaders, it’s still a tough pill to swallow following last year’s 142 million pounds of production. “I don’t think it’s going to be much over 50 million pounds, if that,” …