In the face of production declines, pest issues and other challenges, multi-county Florida citrus grower David Wheeler of Wheeler Farms found something positive to report. “One bright spot is the health of our young trees,” he said. “They look outstanding and have been on a good program with a rotation of insecticides.” Wheeler Farms’ more mature citrus trees aren’t doing …
Another Scab Management Spray or Two Projected for Pecan Crop
By Clint Thompson Pecan producers in Alabama and Georgia need to stay vigilant with their scab management sprays this late in the production season. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist, said due to the crop lagging behind in development this year, growers will need to apply fungicides later than normal. “The crop is a little behind what …
Sweet Results for Georgia’s Peach Crop
By Clint Thompson Cool weather this past winter combined with mild temperatures this summer added up to almost perfect conditions for Georgia peach production this year. The results speak for themselves. Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties, said the crop produced was about 80%. “When we say 80% of …
How Citrus Tree Nutrition Has Changed During the HLB Era
Q&A with 2021 Citrus Achievement Award winner Larry Black yields his take on fertilizer programs, psyllid control, and the family co-op.
Career of Excellence: UF Professor Honored
LAKE ALFRED, Fla. — Fred G. Gmitter, Jr., a professor of horticulture and citrus breeder at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Citrus Research and Education Center, is a 2021 Fellow by the American Society for Horticultural Science. More than 500 members have been recognized with this honor since the first Fellows were elected in 1965. …
Whitefly Populations Increasing in Georgia
By Clint Thompson Whitefly populations are on the rise in South Georgia. While their numbers are not overwhelming, they have increased in recent weeks, says Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable specialist. “Whiteflies have increased over the last week or so, not dramatically, but they’ve obviously increased. Phillip (Roberts) tells me in cotton there’s not high numbers, but …
Registration Deadline Looms for Florida Tomato Conference
The registration deadline for the 2021 Florida Tomato Conference is Wednesday, Aug. 25. The event is scheduled for Sept. 8 at the LaBelle Civic Center in LaBelle, Florida. Registration is free for employees of Florida tomato growers/packers, sponsors, presenters and university affiliates. The cost for other attendees is $50. The event will start at 9 a.m. and conclude at 5 …
Southeast Still Relatively Drought Free
The Southeastern United States remains relatively drought free, according to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Alabama, Florida, Georgia each has sufficient moisture. Only a small portion of Greenville County and Spartanburg County are abnormally dry in South Carolina. A stretch of counties in western North Carolina remains abnormally dry. The counties stretch as far west as Henderson County …
Sour Future: Florida Citrus Production Faces Further Decline
Source: Citrus Industry Florida orange and red grapefruit production, already at historically low levels, will likely decline for years, according to a leading citrus economist. Tom Spreen, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences professor emeritus, calculated Florida crop output through the 2031-32 season based on various yield and tree replacement assumptions. Oranges and red grapefruit are Florida’s …
Tropical Storm Fred’s Potential Impact on Pecan Production
By Clint Thompson The looming landfall of Tropical Storm Fred could impact pecan production in Georgia and Alabama. But it could have a positive effect. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist, said extra rainfall at this stage of production would benefit the crop heading into harvest. As for the wind effect, that’s a different matter. “We’re just …