$3.2 M USDA Grant: CAES Leads Research to Improve Organic Onion Production

Jim Rogers Onion, Research

A team of researchers from the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) is partnering with colleagues from Texas A&M University to find more effective production practices for organic onion growers in the southern United States where short-day onions — those that bulb with 11 to 12 hours of sunlight each day — are primarily grown. …

Hurricane Idalia: UF Economists Estimate Florida Agricultural Production Losses Top $78M

Jim Rogers Florida, Weather

Early reports from agricultural operations in Florida’s Big Bend region indicate production losses caused by Hurricane Idalia fall in an estimated range of $78.8 million to $370.9 million, according to University of Florida (UF) economists. An estimated 3 million acres of agricultural lands were in the storm’s path, including row crops like peanuts and cotton, dairy and poultry farms, aquaculture …

shallow focus of gray and green insect

Floods, Warm Temperatures Promote Mosquito Production

Jim Rogers Florida

Extensive rains, flooding and scattered debris that hold water can lead to mosquito development. Eva Buckner, an Extension specialist at University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory in Vero Beach, remains in close contact with many of Florida’s more than 65 mosquito control programs providing training, solutions and information on topics including mosquito …

UGA to Host Vidalia Onion Production Meeting

Jim Rogers Georgia

Georgia’s Vidalia onion producers should mark their calendars for the annual production meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 6. The meeting will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and be held at the University of Georgia (UGA) Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center. Attendees will receive updates on disease management, storage trials, flavor research and fertility trials. Anyone with …

Bumper Crop: Florida Watermelon Growers Still Lead Nation in Production

Jim Rogers Florida, Research, Watermelon

While many enjoy sweet, cool watermelon as a treat or snack this summer, remember where it comes from. Some Florida growers claim they had their best season ever. Florida continues to lead the nation in watermelon production. From 2010 to 2021, Florida growers ranked No. 1 in the United States with an average of 22,616 acres of watermelon harvested per …

Muscadine Production: Alabama Extension Specialist Highlights Varieties for Potential Growers

Jim Rogers Alabama

By Clint Thompson Variety selection is essential for growers interested in planting a muscadine crop. Producers should know what varieties work best before they start planting. Elina Coneva, Extension specialist and professor of horticulture at Auburn University, focused on muscadine varieties during a recent webinar. She highlighted those that worked well in her research trials, beginning with the ‘Hall’ variety. …

Florida Mango Production, Marketing Much Different in 2023

Jim Rogers Florida, Mangos

By Clint Thompson Mango production in Florida looks much different than it did many years ago. Producers are growing varieties not grown in other countries. They are also marketing their crop much differently than in previous years. Jonathan Crane, associate center director and tropical fruit specialist at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Tropical Research and …

Southeast Production: Rindworm Management in Watermelons

Jim Rogers Watermelon

By Clint Thompson Watermelon producers in the Southeast should be wary of the presence of rindworms in this year’s crop. Insecticide sprays are available for growers who need to control populations of the various worm species like corn earworm, fall armyworm and beet armyworm. Intrepid and Coragen insecticides are ideal choices for farmers to utilize, according to Bob Hochmuth, University …