Whitefly Scouting

Whiteflies can cause economic damage to plants in several ways. Heavy infestations of adults and their progeny can cause reduction in vigor and yield of older plants, due to sap removal. When adult and immature whiteflies feed, they also excrete honeydew, a sticky waste that is composed of plant sugars. Sooty mold will grow on honeydew-covered substrates, …

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Whiteflies……What Now?

We knew to be on the lookout for whiteflies in our cotton, soybeans and peanuts based on high populations early in the season. I have had several discussions with Extension Entomologists to learn more about this insect and the implications in our Florida crops. To me, cotton is the simplest; we have scouting thresholds and …

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Small Grains Harvest in Columbia County

Small grains harvest is underway in North Florida. This includes rye, wheat, and oats.  There are not any local milling operations that use wheat for flour, thus the wheat crop is typically delivered to a local elevator and used for a feed ingredient.  Rye and oats are usually saved for bagging and subsequent seed sales in the Fall. …

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The Footsteps of the Farmer are the Best Fertilizer

We were fortunate across north Florida to receive crop saving rains at the end of July and through August. There probably couldn’t have been a more perfect timing for pegging and pod fill of peanuts, and setting pods in soybeans. However, we are into our typical problems of August with plant disease and insects. If …

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Jefferson County Farm Tour Part 2 (Video)

The Tri-State Row Crop Climate Learning Network was treated to a tour of several farms in the Monticello area, hosted by UF/IFAS Extension Jefferson County. The tour included a visit to the Brock Family Farm, where Kirk Brock utilizes a rotation of corn, peanuts, and soybeans. Kirk described the land he farms not as dryland, but rather “irrigated by God.” If my memory …

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The Redbanded Stink Bug

The recent increase in stink bug population is causing concerns for local pea, bean, and soybean producers. Researchers have noticed an increase in secondary insect pests, such as stink bug species, over the last few years as farmers have reduced their use of broad spectrum herbicides. Entomologist throughout the southeast United States believe the Redbanded stink bug could become …

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Asian Soybean Rust: More Widespread In North Florida

Asian soybean rust  (Phakopsora  pachyrizi) was found this week in Madison and Jackson Counties on kudzu and soybean. Soybean rust is more widespread in Florida this year than in previous years despite the recent high temperatures and dry conditions. Typically soybean rust thrives in humid conditions. The first symptoms of soybean rust begin as very small …

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Potassium Deficiency of Soybeans

Due to favorable prices, Columbia County farmers have planted more soybeans than in the past several years. Some of these soybean crops are showing deficiency symptoms indicative of insufficient potassium. Potassium deficiency is easy to identify in soybeans, and soybeans are responsive to supplemental fertilizer applications. Potassium is mobile in plants and will move from …

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The Most Troublesome Weed: Palmer Amaranth

Palmer amaranth is a weed known all too well by farmers in Columbia County. Its fast growth rate and resistance to herbicides is reason for concern among local producers. The weed can become an aggressive competitor against warm season crops, and a serious nuisance at harvest if not managed properly. The Weed Science Society of …

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