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 …
Acreage Increase for White Strawberry
By Clint Thompson A new era of Florida strawberry production continues this season with the Florida Pearl. The white strawberry that provides a hint of pineapple aroma when it is bitten is expected to experience a substantial increase in production in acres. For Matt Parke, farm manager of Parkesdale Farms in Plant City, Florida, his farm is increasing to 15 …
Artificial Intelligence: UF Scientists Use AI to Predict Citrus Yield More Accurately
IMMOKALEE, Fla. – The implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) helps citrus growers better forecast their production. So far, they’ve found in a University of Florida preliminary study, its technology predicts yields with 98% accuracy. That’s a substantial increase from the 75% to 85% accuracy growers get when they count their trees manually, said Yiannis Ampatzidis, a UF/IFAS associate professor of …
How to Prevent Accidentally Infesting Fields When Moving Equipment
Source: The South Carolina Grower From Clemson Plant Pathologist Tony Keinath Most growers probably have heard that it’s possible to infest a “clean” (pathogen-free) field by moving soil on equipment. The question is how much infested soil is too much. The answer depends on the pathogen and where the soil is deposited. Some pathogens are present in the soil at …
N.C. State Fair Announces Farm Family of the Day Program
RALEIGH – Has your farm family got what it takes to be one of the 11 families recognized at the N.C. State Fair as its Farm Family of the Day? If you are proud to be a North Carolina farmer, work hard to contribute to the state’s No. 1 industry and love farming and the N.C. State Fair, you could …
Broadband Access: USDA Invests $167 Million in 12 States
Georgia Included in States Impacted WASHINGTON, Aug. 11, 2021 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $167 million in 12 states to deploy broadband infrastructure (PDF, 360 KB) in rural areas without sufficient access to high-speed internet. Georgia is one of the states that will benefit from this investment. “Generations …
Pollinator Protection While Using Organic Insecticides
Organic Corner By Ayanava Majumdar, Dani Carroll and Olivia Fuller As the summer temperatures soar, insect activity in vegetable crops rises dramatically with several overlapping generations of pests feeding on crops. During this time, need-based insecticide applications may be necessary when other pest management measures like trap crops and exclusion systems are exhausted or unfeasible. Tremendous strides have been made …
Tropical System Could Impact Florida Vegetable Production
By Clint Thompson Vegetable and specialty crop producers are bracing for a potential tropical storm this weekend as Tropical Storm Fred churns towards the Gulf of Mexico. As University of Florida/IFAS Associate Professor in Horticultural Science Josh Freeman says, “ It’s part of doing business,” in Florida this time of year. “I think depending on where the track goes, it’s …
Weed Identification: Identify Pests with New Tool From UF/IFAS
Proper weed identification is key in eradicating it from the landscape or a field. University of Florida/IFAS has developed a set of resources for homeowners and vegetable growers to follow to avoid misidentification. “If you don’t take the time to identify the weed first, often times you may treat it incorrectly,” said Chris Marble, associate professor of environmental horticulture at …