close up photo of blueberries

October Management Tips for Blueberries

Jim Rogers Blueberries

Blueberry specialists at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) remind growers about management options they need to be mindful of during October. Producers should monitor and manage leaf diseases, especially in evergreen systems. It is important to scout for algal stem blotch and selectively prune out canes infected with algal stem blotch, Botryosphaeria stem blight …

Drought Expanding in Southeast

Jim Rogers Drought

By Clint Thompson Abnormally dry conditions are expanding across the Southeast, especially in southern Alabama, northern Georgia and Florida Panhandle, according to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Alabama’s dry conditions range from abnormally dry to moderately dry and are largely concentrated to the southern half of the state, especially in southeast Alabama in counties like Covington, Geneva, Butler, …

usda

USDA to Measure Florida, Georgia Vegetable Chemical Use

Jim Rogers Vegetables

Members from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will interview almost 300 vegetable producers in Georgia and Florida to compile data for the 2022 Vegetable Chemical Use Survey this fall. The survey will gather information on bearing acreage, pest management practices, treated acres, application rates and fertilizer and pesticide applications for 22 different vegetable crops. Growers …

Florida Strawberry Growers Association: ‘We’re Just Thankful’

Jim Rogers Strawberry

By Clint Thompson Timing can be everything to the success of a crop. If Hurricane Ian had arrived in Florida a week later for example, the state’s strawberry crop could have sustained considerable damage. As it stood, few, if any plants were in the ground last week when the hurricane ravaged the state. Florida producers were fortunate, says Brianne Reichenbach, …

ERS Report: H-2A Certified Jobs Numbered 275,000 in 2020

Jim Rogers Labor

Fears of H-2A labor shortages during the onset of COVID-19 were unfounded with no widespread reports of shortages. This is according to a recent study administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS). There were, however, reports of lower earnings for farm workers due to fewer hours being offered as a result of reduced demand for …

GFVGA Executive Vice President: Georgia Producers Dodged a Bullet

Jim Rogers Georgia

By Clint Thompson Georgia’s specialty crop producers dodged disaster when Hurricane Ian shifted eastward and headed mostly around the state this week. Chris Butts, executive vice president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), said his organization is thankful that its growers avoided the worst impact of the hurricane. But their thoughts and prayers are with their Florida …

Strawberry Producer Delays Planting Ahead of Ian: ‘Definitely the Right Call’

Clint Thompson Strawberry

By Clint Thompson Florida strawberry producer Dustin Grooms almost started planting his crop on Monday, two days ahead of Hurricane Ian. But he delayed, possibly saving his crop in Plant City where he’s located. Now he just needs the fields to dry out so he can get his strawberry plants in the ground. Time is of the essence. “I had …

Sneak Peek: October 2022 Specialty Crop Industry Magazine

Jim Rogers Specialty Crop Industry Magazine

The October issue of Specialty Crop Industry Magazine focuses on strawberries, one of the top fruits produced in the Southeast. Jeff Cook and Garrett Hibbs, county Extension coordinators for University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension, along with Phillip Brannen, UGA Extension fruit disease specialist, provide tips for managing different fungal diseases which pose the biggest threat to production, other than …