Bob Hochmuth Archives - Specialty Crop Industry Vegetable and Specialty Crop News Tue, 17 Oct 2023 15:58:44 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.3.1 116110416 Drought Impact: Northeast Florida Experiencing Dry Conditions https://specialtycropindustry.com/drought-impact-northeast-florida-experiencing-dry-conditions/ Wed, 18 Oct 2023 09:30:00 +0000 https://specialtycropindustry.com/?p=23281 By Clint Thompson The lingering drought has spread across the Southeast and impacted various parts of Florida, specifically in the northeast part of the state. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, discusses the impact the dry weather is having in his area. “We’re very dry, and ...

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]]> 23281 Hurricane Idalia Aftermath: North Florida Infrastructure Impacted Significantly https://specialtycropindustry.com/hurricane-idalia-aftermath-north-florida-infrastructure-impacted-significantly/ Thu, 07 Sep 2023 11:00:00 +0000 https://specialtycropindustry.com/?p=22933 By Clint Thompson North Florida agricultural leaders are still assessing damage left by Hurricane Idalia last week. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) regional specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, provided an overview of what happened to the crops in the field and infrastructure on farms and in the different communities impacted by ...

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]]> 22933 Increase in North Florida Watermelon Acres Next Year? Not So Fast https://specialtycropindustry.com/increase-in-north-florida-watermelon-acres-next-year-not-so-fast/ Fri, 11 Aug 2023 11:00:00 +0000 https://specialtycropindustry.com/?p=22721 By Clint Thompson A productive and prosperous watermelon season in North Florida last spring does not guarantee increased acres next year. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, explains why one of the most successful seasons in recent memory will not necessarily lead to more watermelon acres ...

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]]> 22721 Blueprint for Success? North Florida Melon Growers Capitalize on Early Planting Window https://specialtycropindustry.com/blueprint-for-success-north-florida-melon-growers-capitalize-on-early-planting-window/ Thu, 22 Jun 2023 10:45:00 +0000 https://specialtycropindustry.com/?p=22342 By Clint Thompson North Florida’s blueprint for success with regards to watermelon production may have been laid out this year. Growers started earlier, overcame a pair of freeze events and capitalized on the early market. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, believes that will be the ...

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]]> 22342 After Harvest Season: Crop Termination in Watermelon Could Help with Fusarium Wilt https://specialtycropindustry.com/after-harvest-season-crop-termination-in-watermelon-could-help-with-fusarium-wilt/ Wed, 21 Jun 2023 11:00:00 +0000 https://specialtycropindustry.com/?p=22327 By Clint Thompson What is the value of North Florida watermelon growers terminating their crop chemically when harvesting is done for the season? It could prevent further buildup of a specific pathogen, nematodes or even whitefly-vectored viruses. Producers in the Suwanee Valley Region should consider the practice, believes Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) ...

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]]> 22327 Still Not Done: North Florida Watermelon Harvests About 85% Complete https://specialtycropindustry.com/still-not-done-north-florida-watermelon-harvests-about-85-complete/ Fri, 16 Jun 2023 11:45:00 +0000 https://specialtycropindustry.com/?p=22291 By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon producers are close to being done harvesting this year’s crop. A small percentage remained this week, says Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “We’re winding down, but there’s still a number of fields that are later planted. I’m going to ...

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]]> 22291 Final Harvests: North Florida Growers Hoping to Overcome Various Diseases https://specialtycropindustry.com/final-harvests-north-florida-growers-hoping-to-overcome-various-diseases/ Thu, 15 Jun 2023 11:30:00 +0000 https://specialtycropindustry.com/?p=22276 By Clint Thompson The final watermelon harvests in North Florida have growers combatting a plethora of diseases. Those attempting to stretch another picking from their fields this week will have to overcome any number of diseases. These include downy mildew, powdery mildew, Alternaria leaf spot, gummy stem blight and watermelon mosaic. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and ...

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]]> 22276 North Florida Watermelon Growers Finishing Season https://specialtycropindustry.com/north-florida-watermelon-growers-finishing-season/ Thu, 08 Jun 2023 10:00:00 +0000 https://specialtycropindustry.com/?p=22233 By Clint Thompson Georgia’s delayed start to the watermelon season is North Florida’s gain. With serious volume from Georgia’s crop not expected until next week, growers in the Suwanee Valley are taking advantage, though they are quickly winding down with their own crop. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in ...

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]]> 22233 North Florida Melon Producers Reaping Benefits of High Demand https://specialtycropindustry.com/north-florida-melon-producers-reaping-benefits-of-high-demand/ Thu, 01 Jun 2023 10:45:00 +0000 https://specialtycropindustry.com/?p=22176 By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon growers are in prime position to reap the benefits of the current market demand. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, explains how his region’s producers want harvests to remain fruitful as long as possible. “With the demand so strong, South ...

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]]> 22176 Protecting Against ‘Wildfire’: Melon Growers Should Be Wary of Downy Mildew https://specialtycropindustry.com/protecting-against-wildfire-melon-growers-should-be-wary-of-downy-mildew/ Thu, 25 May 2023 11:00:00 +0000 https://specialtycropindustry.com/?p=22126 By Clint Thompson Recent rainfall events in North Florida have watermelon producers on high alert from disease pressure building up. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, cautions growers against downy mildew disease as harvests continue across the region. “I expect that the weather pattern here is ...

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