Vegetable and Specialty Crop News

• Alabama Hemp Production Continues to Decline
  By Clint Thompson The number of hemp growers continues to decline across Alabama and the country. It coincides with market prices not being what they once were, according to Zachary Barnes, with the Alabama Department of Ag and Industries hemp program. “From 2020 until now, what they were fetching for a kilogram of crude CBD […]
• Disease Resistance in Watermelons Under the Research Spotlight
  By Clint Thompson Watermelons encounter their share of diseases in the Southeast. BASF/Nunhems is hoping to help producers overcome some of those diseases, especially fusarium wilt. In conjunction with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, BASF/Nunhems hosted its North Florida Watermelon Variety Showcase in Lake Butler, Florida, last week. Ruhiyyih Dyrdahl-Young, […]
• UF/IFAS Digital Twin Technology Simulates Strawberry Farm, Boosts AI Tools
  While strawberry production lasts from November through April in Florida, digital twin technology lets scientists simulate the growth of the fruit year-round, allowing research to proceed year-round. Digital twins are virtual replicas of objects, systems or processes that can predict system behavior as they interact in a simulated environment. Dana Choi and her team of […]
• UGA Extension Citrus Specialist Discusses Rust Mites
  By Clint Thompson Citrus producers in the Cold-Hardy Citrus Region must be mindful of citrus rust mites (CRM) amid the warm, humid climate in the region. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, implores growers in North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama to be proactive in managing the populations […]