AgNet DEMO

Category: Florida

  • North Florida to Feature More Late-Season Watermelons

    North Florida watermelons will be in supply later than normal, says Branford, Florida producer Laura Land. Land, who is also a member of the Florida Watermelon Association, says there will be more late-season watermelons this year in North Florida.

    “The increase in acreage that I’m seeing here in the North Florida area is pretty much that later crop,” Land said. “They’ve got their early crop like they’ve been having them, about the same acreage. Then they’ve put in 40 to 80 more acres for some later crops.”

    Additional acreage in North Florida could challenge South Georgia for the market in mid-summer. Both regions are hoping to duplicate last season’s success, where there were high yields and high prices for farmers.

    “Normally we try to be through before (Georgia) ever gets started. Georgia acreage doesn’t seem to have increased a lot. It’s staying pretty level. This (North Florida) area seems to be dropping their time back so that they’re coming in a little later,” Land said. “There seems to be a pretty good acreage. Crops all look very good. It’s acreage that’s scattered in all different ages.

    “Looks like from the 15th of May through the 15th of July, they’ll have watermelons here in North Florida.”

    Land said farmers in her region normally want to be done before the end of July, but some were still planting as of last week. That followed a freeze during Easter weekend that killed some watermelon plants. Farmers were forced to replant.

    “I think maybe acreage in the north Florida area has gone up a little bit but considerably little. It’s pretty much the same people that’s been growing watermelons, may have added 40 more acres,” Land said. “It could just be how their land worked out. Everybody in the watermelon business knows that no two years are ever the same. There’s a new challenge every year.”

    Current Market

    Land said prices are around 30 cents per pound right now with not a lot of availability. Watermelons are available mainly just in the South Florida area, around Immokalee. Land said producers in the Lake Placid, Arcadia regions should start harvesting this week or at least by the first of May.

  • Citrus Interest Growing in North Florida, South Georgia

    Interest in citrus continues to spike in North Florida and South Georgia. Georgia acres have doubled over the past year. North Florida has increased by another 300 to 400 this spring, says farmer Kim Jones, who owns a citrus packing facility in Monticello, Florida.

    “We’re seeing a whole lot of acres being planted. It’s hard to get trees. We’ve had some difficulties getting trees for Georgia growers and Florida growers,” Jones said. But there’s still a lot of demand and a lot of interest in planting them; a lot of cleaning up being done and wells put in and irrigation put in.

    “I’ve got 2,000 trees I can’t get. They won’t be here until next April. I ordered them in 2019 and won’t get them until next year.”

    Acreage

    Jones estimates North Florida acreage is up to around 1,200 to 1,300 acres. South Georgia’s acreage is around 2,000 acres. The acreage is increasing amid the Citrus Greening era that has devastated the crop in the rest of Florida.

    “We’re worried about it, but hopefully counting on there being a solution or a remedy to that before long. We’re just hoping and praying that’s the case,” Jones said. “It is a factor. We got it in Perry. We got it all along the Gulf Coast in East Point and Apalachicola and Panama City; those areas through there that have homeowner trees. No commercial groves yet.”

    Jones believes that since most of the citrus groves are isolated and spaced out, they should be able to fight the disease pretty good. Everybody is watching out for Asian citrus psyllids, which vectors Citrus Greening.

    “There’s not much that won’t kill a psyllid,” Jones added. “We’re not doing preventative sprays, but we’re already having to spray for the other insects; it helps keep them at bay.”

  • UGA Encourages Cleaning of Equipment to Reduce Spread of Neopestalotiopsis

    Neopestalotiopsis spots and pepper-like fruiting structures in spots (photo from Mark Frye; Wayne County Cooperative Extension Service)

    Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot is devastating strawberry fields in Georgia and Alabama.

    In an effort to reduce the pathogen’s spread, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension is encouraging strawberry producers to make sure farm equipment is clean before moving from field to field.

    According to the UGA Extension strawberry blog, washing equipment with soap and water after use in a field with the disease, may or may not be sufficient enough to kill the pathogen. But it needs to be done to reduce the spread through the removal of dirt, debris and plant residues left on the equipment.

    Equipment sanitizers can also be considered as well. Cleaning and disinfecting shoes should also be considered. They are also considered a potential means of disseminating the pathogen.

  • Impact: UF Study Focuses on How Soil Health Impacts Citrus, Other Tree Crops

    How can changes in soil health impact citrus and other sub-tropical tree crops? That’s a question UF/IFAS researchers hope to answer in a four-year, $500,000 project funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

    Specifically, they will examine how quickly soil health can change in Florida’s sub-tropical sandy soils and how changes in the soil’s health might impact yield.

    “Our goal is to help producers by finding out what cover crops do to soil health in Florida groves,” said Sarah Strauss, assistant professor of soil microbiology in the UF/IFAS soil and water sciences department and the lead investigator on the grant project. “While there’s a lot of interest in soil health right now, much of the research and metrics for assessing it are not based on sub-tropical sandy soils like we have in Florida. In order to determine if soil health is improving, growers need to know what the best parameters are to measure. That includes determining which indicators are the most useful for monitoring the soil health of tree crops.”

    Sometimes, though, impacts may not be observed for several years. Strauss and her team want to know what indicators can be measured only once a year or more frequently that might show progress even if yield hasn’t changed yet. This would provide grove management information to producers in a more timely fashion.

    Research Specifics

    The team will first measure soil physical, biochemical and microbial parameters involved in carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cycling at two Florida citrus groves. This provides a detailed assessment of the changes to the soil environment and microbial groups with cover crops. After measuring cover crop impacts on soil in the groves, scientists will see which soil health indicators can carry over to the non-citrus setting. They will also share Florida-specific information with producers.

    “In vegetable or row crop systems, cover crops are planted during the fallow season for a few months and then the cash crop will be planted in the same field. That’s not the case for a tree crop, and in Florida, we can keep cover crops growing in the middle of rows between the trees all year,” said Strauss, a faculty member at the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee. “So, metrics for how quickly things change in the soils for a tree with cover crops may be very different than in a vegetable or cotton field.”

    Strauss said they will also compare results with some commercial soil tests to see how indicators relate to what is currently available on the commercial level. Many commercial tests may not provide suggestions or recommendations specific to tree crops.

    “Ultimately, this study will provide a list of meaningful soil health indicators that Florida producers can use to meet their unique needs in sub-tropical tree fruit systems,” she said.

    Source: UF/IFAS

  • Imports Continue to Challenge Cucumber Market

    Florida and Georgia remain two of the leading cucumber-producing states in the country. Along with Michigan and North Carolina, they harvest more than 60% of the nation’s fresh market acres, according to USDA Vegetable and Pulses April Outlook.

    However, imports continue to challenge the two states for market supremacy, accounting for more than three-fourths of domestic availability, up from less than one-half in 2000.

    Imports of fresh cucumbers totaled 2.19 billion pounds in 2020 and are projected to increase in 2021 amid the pandemic. Mexico remains the leading source of imported cucumbers, averaging 80% of the annual volume from 2018-20. Canada provided 16% of import volume during that same timeframe.

    Imports accounted for 87% of domestic availability, up from 61% in 2010. From 2015 to 2019, cucumber imports increased by 5% every year.

    Greenhouse production accounts for 11% of the domestic cucumber production, up from 10% in 2014 and 3% in 2009. Greenhouse import share, which was 15% during 2010-12, is slowly increasing.

    Cucumbers and squash were the source of an investigation by the U.S. International Trade Commission. The hearing centered on the impact that imports are having on the domestic industry.

  • Second Source: Strawberry Disease Attributed to Another Nursery

    Dead and dying strawberry plants with Neopestalotiopsis (image from Shane Curry; Appling County Cooperative Extension Service).

    The strawberry disease that has ravaged crops in Florida and Georgia has now been attributed to two nursery sources.

    According to the University of Georgia Extension strawberry blog, a nursery in Canada received plants from a North Carolina nursery, which is the source of the pathogen related to Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Fruit Disease Specialist, said the Canadian nursery has been identified as a source of spread through transplants this year and has had difficulty cleaning up its operation.

    “For next year and moving forward, Georgia strawberry producers need to make sure that nursery sources do not have any connection to this pathogen. Once it is in a field, there is no evidence to date that we can get rid of it. It will reside in old residue or weeds in and around the field,” Brannen said in the blog. “The best thing to do is to keep it far away from your strawberry operation.”

    How Bad is it?

    Just how bad can this disease get? Just ask Tifton, Georgia farmer Bill Brim. His entire strawberry operation of 12 acres was wiped out because of Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot. Brim was not alone this year. Brannen said the disease devastated multiple strawberry farms in Georgia.

    Thiram and Switch are the only fungicides that have efficacy against this organism, though their activity is not 100%. The pathogen can reside in a field from season to season. It speaks to the importance of growers keeping it out of their fields altogether.

    Growers can remove spotted leaves, starting in the fall, and destroy them outside the field. This should be done when plants are dry to prevent further spread of the disease and infection through these activities.

    Producers need to rotate to another site for production next year if possible. This is if farmers had a problem with the disease this year.

  • Quality in Question: Fried Defends State’s Produce During Hearing

    The quality of Southeast produce was called into question during the U.S. International Trade Commission hearing on squash and cucumbers.

    commissioner
    Nikki Fried
    Florida Agriculture Commissioner

    Industry leaders took exception to the notion that consumers prefer Mexican produce over what’s grown in the United States and that has contributed to the domestic market decline for both commodities. Florida Ag Commissioner Nikki Fried was asked about the quality of her state’s vegetable and specialty crops.

    “Of course, I’m going to be a little bit biased here. The state of Florida produces some of the best in the country as far as our agricultural products,” Fried said. “Everything from our cucumbers and squash to our blueberries, strawberries and specialty crops, tomatoes. We are the best in the country.”

    What the Opposition Says

    Lance Jungmeyer, president of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, claimed that “U.S. farmers not having enough labor.” That contributes to a quality disadvantage for American producers.

    “Perishable products such as cucumbers and squash are labor intensive crops, particularly for the harvesting and packing. Without adequate labor, southeast growers are at severe disadvantage in how they grow and pack. Their products result in a distinct quality disadvantage that U.S. retail customers clearly recognize,” Jungmeyer said.

    However, Southeast farmers and industry leaders say otherwise. There is no labor shortage, nor do consumers choose Mexican produce because of flavor. Some point to the fact that consumers don’t have an option in stores. They have to buy imported produce.

    Others point to the fact that Mexico is dumping produce or bringing vegetables into the United States and selling it at a fraction of the cost of an American farmer’s load.

    Those are the reasons Southeast producers point to as why they can’t compete against Mexico.  

  • FFVA: Let Your Voice Be Heard

    The legislative session in Florida provides opportunities for farmers to voice their concerns on what programs need funding. The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) encouraged its producers to contact senators and representatives about the need to fully fund the Fresh From Florida program at $10.05 million.

    “Appropriate funding for the Fresh From Florida program is incredibly important. We understand there are difficult decisions to be made with the state budget this year and deeply appreciate the positive steps the budget conference committee has already taken to appropriate funds. That said, fully funding the program means Fresh From Florida can increase its reach and impact, providing Florida farmers with even more resources to market their products to a national and global audience,” FFVA president Mike Joyner said.

    The program helps market products for Florida’s 47,000 agricultural producers.

    Mike Joyner

    The “Fresh From Florida” logo is displayed on product packaging and signage. Only members of the Florida Agricultural Promotional Campaign are able to utilize the logo. It associates the members’ products with Florida agriculture’s worldwide image of excellence.

    “With a $22 return on investment for every $1 invested, the Fresh From Florida program has generated $130 million in additional cash receipts and has reached over 60 million consumers annually through retail partnership programs. The difference is substantial, and our grower members would not be able to establish this level of engagement with national retail buyers or consumers outside of Florida without the program,” Joyner said.

    With that said, it is up to the growers to inform their legislators about the difference this program has made.

    “When our members engage, policymakers get to hear straight from the men and women who see firsthand how effective the program is in marketing support. After a devastating year for so many amidst the pandemic and with increased pressure from the supply of foreign products – most notably from Mexico, growers need every tool available to remain competitive in the global marketplace and help raise awareness about the importance of supporting local farmers and buying Florida-grown fruits and vegetables. Never has that message been more important,” Joyner said.

    Florida’s legislative session will end on April 30.

  • Strawberry Disease: ‘It’s on the Back of Everybody’s Minds Right Now’

    A crop that already has its annual challenges is struggling to overcome its latest obstacle.

    Strawberry with Neopestalotiopsis spot and pepper-like fruiting structures in spot (photo provided by Ansuya Jogi; University of Georgia Plant Pathology Department) .

    Florida strawberry farmer Dustin Grooms confirmed that Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot has provided uncertainty for the future of the industry in Florida.

     “I do feel like this year was amplified a little bit more with that new disease because normally you can come out there with something to spray on it and you can maintain it,” Grooms said. “Overall, we don’t know what’s going to happen next year. It’s on the back of everybody’s minds right now.”

    Worse Over Time

    The disease has progressively gotten worse since it was first discovered on five farms during the 2018-19 season. It was attributed to one nursery source in North Carolina. The disease is quickly expanding across Florida and has moved northward. It even wiped out one Georgia farmer’s 12 acres this year.

    Grooms said he spent more money to hand-prune plants to remove leaves while also applying additional sprays to keep the plants healthy.

    “We had a real bad flareup industry wide after a rain. It flared up pretty much on the whole industry there,” Grooms said. “We battled it and battled it. Some blocks were worse. Why? Who knows?”  

    Grooms’ challenging season also included continued competition against early-season imports that suppressed market prices. Grooms also sprayed the most he’s ever sprayed for chili thrips and spider mites which wasn’t enough in some instances.

    “It takes a lot of money right now to be a Florida strawberry farmer. The risks are getting moreso every single day. I’m 39, my dad is 74. That’s a long road ahead to get to 74 where he’s at,” Grooms said. “I’m sure I’m going to see a lot more problems than this disease. But we’re going to put our best foot forward and just try to adapt and overcome, that’s all we can do.

    “The price did end up going back up, and it’s actually really high right now for the month of April. We were able to maintain a handful of blocks. It wasn’t enough to offset the low production of the year. The X and Y axis didn’t cross there good. Tough season, a lot of problems. We’ll just have to try it again next year and see what happens. No two years are alike.”

  • Georgia Produce Farmer: (Mexico) Doesn’t Care About Costs

    Flickr photo shows a semi-truck.

    What should be an advantage to Southeast producers against Mexico is anything but, believes Georgia vegetable farmer Dick Minor.

    Freight prices continue to spike, which has only worsened since gas prices continue to increase. But that doesn’t matter to produce originating out of Mexico, Minor added.

    “High freight rates are our friend or should be technically our friend from a business point because Mexico’s got to transport it further than we’ve got to transport it. Every time freight goes up, that should help us, give us a competitive advantage,” Minor said. “The only problem is, they’re still shipping just as much product regardless of freight costs. That tells us, they don’t care. I know for a fact they’ve got boxes into New York for $1 a box net back to them. That doesn’t even pay for the box. They’re just trying to move product.

    “If they’re making real business decisions, when freight got really high like it did in ’11, ’12, and ’13 when we had $3.50 gasoline, they should have been shut down. But no, they still shipped product regardless of freight costs.”

    Freight was one of several points of contention during the most recent U.S. International Trade Commission hearing that centered on the impact of squash and cucumber imports on the Southeast domestic market.

    Increased Freight Costs

    Increased input costs are a challenge for Southeast producers. Freight is no exception. It was established during the hearing that between 2015 and 2020, freight costs have at least doubled. There are fewer drivers and more regulations on the road. Drivers must be shut down for eight hours.

    “Everything’s going up,” Florida farmer Sam Accursio said during the hearing. “Insurance is going up tremendously for these independent operators. Fuel has been fluctuating back and forth, but their biggest expense is tires and mechanics insurance. Their biggest complaint is insurance and tags.”

    Those same input costs are not swaying the intentions of Mexican producers who are focused on the U.S. markets. Whether it is strawberries, blueberries, squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, imports are increasing exponentially. Freight is just another factor that doesn’t seem to matter to Mexican growers.

    “The cheaper you can get the freight on a delivered price, then you can make more money,” added Georgia producer Bill Brim during the hearing. “If we take it on an open market and we ship it up there and have $6,000 in freight and they pay you $3 a pack, then you’ve lost your you know what.”