October 29, 2020 By: Brad Buck, bradbuck@ufl.edu When Patricio Muñoz developed the University of Florida’s newest blueberry variety, he wanted to name the fruit in honor of Alto Straughn, a longtime, strong supporter of UF’s blueberry breeding program. Muñoz decided to call the new variety the ‘Sentinel.’ “A ‘sentinel’ is a watcher or guardian,” said Muñoz, a UF/IFAS assistant professor …
Temporary and Permanent Pest Exclusion Systems for Vegetable Production
According to Alabama Extension, the demand for organic crop production has experienced an upward trajectory in recent years. This increasing demand means there is a need for more farmers to produce organic vegetables at a reasonable cost, while also being environmentally sustainable. For these producers, insect pest management is one of the aspects where they must watch their costs and …
Florida Ag Expo Update
Organizers of the Florida Ag Expo, an annual trade show with educational seminars for vegetable and specialty crop growers, have decided to forego this year’s event amid COVID-19 concerns. “While we see businesses re-open and people are returning to a sense of normalcy, we know that has only been made possible by everyone doing their part. Therefore, we made the …
USDA to Fund NC State-Led Group on COVID-19 Food Safety
According to N.C. State Extension, North Carolina State University experts will lead a national project for COVID-19 research and outreach to the food sector with a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “We really want to help the food sector make decisions based on the best available science, fill knowledge gaps and provide specific training,” said Ben …
USDA Encourages Ag Producers, Residents to Prepare for Hurricane Zeta
WASHINGTON, Oct. 28, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is reminding communities, farmers, ranchers and small businesses in the path of Hurricane Zeta that USDA has programs that provide assistance in the wake of disasters. USDA staff in the regional, state and county offices stand ready and are eager to help. “Our neighbors in the Gulf have endured …
UGA Research Grant Aimed at Protecting Consumers from Norovirus
A Center for Produce Safety grant will fund University of Georgia (UGA) research aimed at studying human norovirus and its impact on leafy vegetables, in particular, lettuce. Malak Esseili, an Assistant Professor at the Center for Food Safety on the UGA Griffin campus, is the lead investigator in the project, which spans from Jan. 1, 2021 through Jan. 1, 2023. …
Zeta Set to Move Through Region This Week
Zeta, a tropical system and an expected hurricane once it reaches the U.S. by Wednesday, is churning in the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to move across the Southeast later this week. According to the UGA Extension Viticulture Blog, Pam Knox, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agricultural Climatologist, said there will be some rain and gusty winds from that …
Like it or not, Joro spiders are here to stay
By Beth Gavrilles for UGA CAES News Chances are, if you live in northeast Georgia you’ve come across an East Asian Joro spider this fall. At almost 3 inches across when their legs are fully extended, they’re hard to miss. While they’re roughly the same size as banana spiders and yellow garden spiders, the distinctive yellow and blue-black stripes on …
Coming Soon: New University of Florida Strawberry Varieties
By Vance M. Whitaker Two new strawberry selections have been approved for release by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and are in the commercialization process. Trade names have not yet been finalized but should be chosen in the next six months. For both, larger-scale testing will be conducted this fall, and commercial quantities will …
Various Varieties to Choose from When Planting Pecan Trees
The time to plant pecan trees is nearing for Georgia producers. Shane Curry, University of Georgia Appling County Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources agent, offers a plethora of options for growers to choose from. According to Appling County Crop E News, there are multiple varieties that are very popular and viable options for any farmer in Georgia. Avalon is one …