________________________________________________
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
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________________________________________________ Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences |
SOUTH FLORIDA
VEGETABLE PEST AND DISEASE
HOTLINE
February 5, 2005
Cool dry conditions have prevailed for the period following the passage of a strong cold front on the weekend of January 22 bringing near freezing conditions to several areas. Fortunately despite fears of the worst following freeze/frost warnings issued for much of South Florida, temperatures failed to drop as low as forecasters had predicted and significant crop damage was avoided. Daytime highs for the period have ranged from the mid 60’s to the mid 70’s with nighttime lows in the 30’s 40’s and 50’s.
Despite the lack of freezing temperatures and frost in many locations, several growers have reported crop damage and some loss of tender crops such as tender young corn, beans, cucumbers, melons and squash due to the combination of cold temperatures and desiccating winds. Many growers report that they covered crops or rain sprinklers for cold protection.
Most areas reported less than three-tenths inch of rain with several reporting no measurable precipitation for the period. Despite the low rainfall, foggy conditions and heavy night dews have been widespread and have contributed to disease development.
FAWN Weather Summary
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Crops coming to market include broccoli, cabbage, celery, cucumbers, eggplant, endive, escarole, green beans, lettuce, pepper, radishes, squash, strawberries, sweet corn, tomatoes, and specialty items. Prices for many commodities have been in the dumper since the holidays and some growers have delayed harvest or abandoned fields due to prices below the cost of production and harvest.
The short-term forecast from the National Weather Service in Miami indicates that the next week will be dominated by the surface high behind yesterday’s cold front, which will move slowly east under the influence of a large Atlantic surface low slowly spinning down. This will provide for basically good weather week with a slow warm-up and moisture increase. An upper wave will help to develop another Atlantic surface low by the end of next week that could bring a front our way by next weekend.
For additional information, visit the National Weather Service in Miami website at http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mfl/newpage/index.html
Insects
Whiteflies
Reports from Palm Beach County indicate that whitefly numbers remain low in most places. Some growers have remarked that they fear it may be the calm before the storm.
Reports from Homestead indicate that whitefly pressure is high in cucurbits with many squash fields showing silverleaf symptoms. Whiteflies are also present in beans and tomatoes with many growers curtailing control efforts as prices drop and fields are abandoned.
Respondents in the Manatee/Ruskin area report that whitefly numbers are around but counts remain low in most places.
Around Southwest Florida, respondents indicate that whitefly numbers are below normal levels in many locations but some hotspots have been reported west of Immokalee were pressure is reported to be “horrendous” in a few locations.
As fall crops continue to be terminated, it is important to practice good sanitation to avoid movement of whiteflies into later plantings and a buildup in populations that carry over to the spring crop. Growers are urged to continue to practice the following recommendations
Nicotinoid Resistance Management Recommendations
· Reduce overall whitefly populations by strictly adhering to
cultural practices including:
· Plant whitefly-free transplants
· Delay planting new crops as long as possible and destroy old
crops immediately after harvest to create or lengthen a tomato free period
· Do not plant new crops near or adjacent to infested weeds
or crops, abandoned fields awaiting destruction or areas with volunteer
plants
· Use UV-reflective (aluminum) plastic soil mulch
· Control weeds on field edges if scouting indicates whiteflies
are present and natural enemies are absent
· Manage weeds within crops to minimize interference with spraying;
· Avoid u-pick or pin-hooking operations unless effective control
measures are continued
· Do not use a nicotinoid like Admire on transplants or apply
only once 7-10 days before transplanting; use other products in other chemical
classes, including Fulfill, before this time;
· Apply a nicotinoid like Admire (16 ozs/acre) or Platinum (8ozs/acre)
at transplanting and use products of other chemical classes (such as the
insect growth regulators Courier® or Knack® as the control with
the nicotinoid diminishes. Note: Courier and Applaud are the same
active: buprofezin. Courier is labeled for whitefly on tomato and
snap bean. The mode of action is chitinase inhibitor. Dimilin
and
Knack are juvenile hormone mimics labeled for whitefly control on fruiting
vegetables.
· Never follow an application (soil or foliar) of a nicotinoid
with another application (soil or foliar) of the same or different nicotinoid
on the same crop or in the same field within the same season (i.e. do not
treat a double crop with a nicotinoid if the main crop had been treated
previously);
Save applications of nicotinoids for crops threatened by whitefly-transmitted plant viruses or whitefly-inflicted disorders (i.e. tomato, beans or squash) and consider the use of chemicals of other classes for whitefly control on other crops.
Leafminers
Reports from the Manatee Ruskin area indicate that leafminer numbers are low but have been increasing over the last week or so, both on older tomatoes and the young ones just planted. Both adults as well as some stippling have been noted.
Respondents in Homestead area report that leafminer pressure remains moderate in young beans and tomato.
Around Southwest Florida, leafminers have been up and down with over all numbers generally lower than usual for this time of year. Leafminers are present in a variety of crops including beans, potato, tomato and eggplant.
Growers in Palm Beach report minor but non-significant leafminer damage in most places.
Field sanitation is an important control tactic that is overlooked. When crops are not present in the fields, leafminers can survive on a variety of broad-leaf weeds. These plants serve as reservoirs for pest. Practice good sanitation and eliminate old crop residue immediately after harvest.
Pepper weevil
Around Southwest Florida, pepper weevils remain low in most places. There have been a few reports of high trap counts in fields adjacent to older fields being destroyed.
Respondents in Homestead report steady weevil pressure in hot varieties with increasing numbers showing up in bells and other sweet varieties.
Aphids
Respondents in Palm Beach note that aphid pressure is moderate to high in Chinese brassicas. They are also present in low numbers in a variety of other crops including leafy greens and eggplant.
Around Southwest Florida reports indicate that aphid pressure has declined in recent weeks.
Reports from Homestead indicate heavy pressure in squash where aphid transmitted virus problems have also increased substantially.
Worms
Reports from Homestead note that fall armyworms are still causing sporadic problems in corn. Scouts reports a variety of worms including southern and beet armyworms and loopers causing problems in beans. Melon/pickleworms are active in squash.
Fall armyworm pheromone trap counts in the Belle Glade area have been fluctuating quite a bit over the last few weeks. Dr Gregg Nuessly, Entomologist at UF/IFAS ERREC reports that numbers reaching above 500 per trap per week point to a lot of critters flying in the area. Growers should be watching their crops for egg masses and young larvae.
Around Southwest Florida, worm pressure is remains mostly low with a few southern and beet armyworms and tomato fruitworms still around. Scouts report an increase in egg masses in recent days.
Reports from Manatee County indicate that a few worms are present but that pressure remains low in most places.
Growers in Palm Beach County indicate that worm pressure remains low. A few diamondback moth larvae are present in leafy brassicas.
Spider Mites
Reports from Palm Beach County indicate that spider mites are still active on eggplant in places. Growers also report finding a few red spider mites in leafy specialty items.
Reports from southwest Florida indicate that spider mites are present at low levels in a variety of crops and have been showing some increase on eggplant in some places.
Respondents in Homestead report increasing problems with red spider and two spotted mites on eggplant and cucumbers. Strawberry producers report very low mites.
Respondents indicate that spider mites and tumid mites are present on strawberries in a number of locations around the Plant City area.
Thrips
Growers in Homestead continue to report problems with Thrips palmi in a variety of crops including beans, cucumber, eggplant, and pepper.
Respondents in the Manatee Ruskin area note that a few thrips are starting to show up in sticky traps.
Around Southwest Florida, thrips remain low but could start to increase soon as some of the native trees are getting ready to bloom.
Silk Fly
Silk fly adults and maggots are present in sweet corn in Homestead and the Glades. Cool weather over the past weeks has helped reduce pressure to some extent.
Diseases
Foggy mornings and heavy dews in many places have helped keep diseases
active.
Late blight
Late blight continues to be a very serious problem around Southwest Florida on tomato and slightly less in potatoes. Continued wet, foggy mornings have helped keep lesions active in most places. Over the past few days growers and scouts report that the spread seems to have slowed and lesions appear to be drying up.
Most observers agree that the incidence and severity is as bad or worse as it has been in many years and note that many fields are or will be suffering some level of yield reduction. In addition, some growers have reported packing problems from late blight. Incidence and severity remains low to moderate in many places with a few lesions widely scattered across infected fields. But reports indicate that in an increasing number of fields incidence and severity is high with plants displaying multiple stem and fruit lesions and in some hotspots plants have been decimated in fairly large areas of the worst affected fields.
Respondents in Homestead indicate that late blight is now present in several tomato fields mainly concentrated in the Redland area where one field almost completely destroyed by blight is acting as an infection source.
No reports of late blight have been received from West Central or Palm Beach County but growers should be vigilant and on the look out, especially with these cool, foggy mornings we have been having and the amount of inoculum present in South Florida.
Infections are apparently present in some transplant houses as growers report finding infected plants arriving in transplants.
Few diseases spread as quickly as late blight. The disease can easily devastate a tomato or potato field within a few weeks if it is not properly controlled. The disease thrives under cool and wet conditions. Temperatures between 50 and 80oF combined with moist conditions such as rain, fog, heavy dews, or relative humidity above 90 percent are conducive for disease development. Night temperatures in the fifties with daytime temperatures from the mid-fifties to mid-seventies are ideal for this disease. Temperatures in the lower range stimulate the formation of many swarm spores (zoospores) from the sporangia. This situation dramatically increases the potential for disease spread.
Over the past few weeks warm days and cool night temperature and consistent nighttime leaf wetness (fogs, heavy dew, etc) along with scattered light showers in some places over the past few weeks have been ideal for late blight. Along with ideal conditions, the combination of two back to back long holiday weekends along with some possible reduction in spraying resulting from falling prices have undoubtedly worsened the situation in places. Even a short break in spray schedules, despite what is said regarding some of the newer fungicides, can result in a dramatic increase in blight under the conditions we have had during the past two weeks. If weather conditions remain mild, we could be in for a blight year.
Since the disease can spread so rapidly, growers should scout their fields thoroughly each day, especially when cool and wet conditions conducive to disease development prevails. Since late blight symptoms may be confused with symptoms of other diseases, the following diagnostic pointers may help growers distinguish between the late blight and other diseases.
Late blight symptoms on leaves appear as irregularly shaped brown to purplish lesions with indefinite border lesions that can span veins. The lesions may be seen any time of day, on any stage of plant growth and on leaves of any age. Velvety, white fungal growth may appear on the lower surface of affected leaflets early in the morning before leaves dry and/or in the lower canopy.
On stems, purplish lesions may be seen any time of day and may be found any where on the stem. Crystalline, white sporulation on stems with lesions can often be seen early in the morning and/or in the lower canopy. Stems with lesions are brittle and break easily. Lesions are confined to epidermis and cortex. Leaf rolling and wilting is often associated with stem lesions and purpling of leaflets may occur in some varieties. Under the microscopic, the characteristic lemon-shaped spores are easily recognizable.
Several control measures including use of certified seed and destruction
of culls in addition to careful scouting are absolute necessities if late
blight is to be properly controlled. It is critical to keep
inoculum levels low during seasons when weather conditions early in
the cropping season are favorable for development of late blight (as they
have been this year). Remember that prevention is the key to success.
Currently, fungicides are the most effective means of controlling late blight and will remain the primary tool until cultivars with resistance to this disease become available. Fungicides slow the rate at which the disease develops in the field by creating a protective barrier on the foliage. Just applying a chemical, however, does not necessarily equate with effective disease control. Relative effectiveness of a product, coverage, and timing must be factored into the equation for maximum benefit.
Use labeled fungicides preventively including Dithane, Penncozeb, or Manzate, Manex, Maneb, Ridomil Gold Copper, Ridomil Gold Bravo, Equus, Chloronil, Echo, Bravo, Super-Tin, Curzate, Gavel, or Headline or Quadris/Amistar. Check label for use in greenhouse. Newer products such as Curzate (DuPont) boast “kick back” action that can help arrest infestation if applied within 48 –72 hours of initial infection.
In Florida, it has been observed that seldom does a widespread late blight epidemic occur on tomatoes in the Manatee-Ruskin area unless the disease was present in the Immokalee area and/or Dade County. Since late blight has been confirmed on both potato and tomato in Immokalee growers in other areas are advised to adhere to a preventative spray program. No other disease will find farms not taking proper care of their crop like late blight.
Downy Mildew
Growers and scouts report that downy mildew is widely present on cucumbers and squash in scattered locations around Southwest Florida but not that detection of new infections has decreased in recent days.
Respondents indicate that downy mildew remains active squash in Homestead.
Reports from Palm Beach County indicates that downy mildew is present in cucurbits and has reached high levels in some places especially in plantings which were covered for frost protection.
Downy mildew is also present on lettuce and brassicas in Devil’s Garden, around Belle Glade and in other parts of Palm Beach County.
Bacterial Leaf Spot
Reports from the Manatee Ruskin area indicate that bacterial spot is present in scattered locations. Incidence and severity is low.
Respondents in Southwest Florida note that bacterial spot has flared up in several tomato and a few pepper fields following recent wet weather conditions.
Bacterial spot is still causing some problems on tomatoes and pepper around Palm Beach County. Reports indicate that incidence is sporadic but severity is moderate is some areas.
Respondents in Homestead indicate that new cases of bacterial spot
have dwindled to low levels in most places.
Target Spot
Scouts in the Homestead area report active target spot in tomato. They note that while cool dry conditions have helped slow bacteria spot they may favor diseases like early blight and target spot.
Around Southwest Florida, target spot is present in older tomato and continues to be active on inner foliage and mature fruit but seems mild in comparison to late blight.
Target spot is present on tomato in Palm Beach; pressure is reported to be moderate to high in some locations with some fruit quality problems being reported.
Early Blight
Growers across the area report low to moderate incidence of early blight on tomato. In some instances lesions are associated with leafminer injury.
Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus
Reports from around southwest Florida indicate that TYLCV is gradually increasing across the area even though whitefly numbers remain low. Growers should take precautions to rouge plants where feasible and practice a complete program of IPM and whitefly management including attention to sanitation and crop destruction.
Growers and scouts in Manatee County continue to report some increase in TYLCV, especially in the usual “high risk” fields. Reports indicate that some plantings are approaching 100 % infection. There are concerns that carry over of fall crops may lead to problems this spring.
Growers and scouts around Homestead report a big jump in TYLCV infections with the average field now in the 15-20% range with some fields at much higher levels. While market conditions have lead growers to reduce sprays on older fields, they would be advised to work on keeping young fields clean otherwise they will not have anything to pick when the market recovers. As more fields left to fend for themselves, this situation combined with increasing virus is a ticking time bomb.
Powdery Mildew
Growers and scouts operating around Homestead are reporting active powdery mildew in squash
Powdery mildew is also present on cucurbits around West Central Florida as well as East Coast growing areas.
Dr Ken Pernezny, Plant Pathologist at UF/IFAS ERREC reports finding powdery mildew on snap beans. Ken notes that this is extremely early for powdery mildew to appear on beans but indicates that he has confirmed it under the microscope. The symptoms consist of a russeting of the upper leaf surface of the older leaves, with mildew evident on the opposite lower surface. It is sometimes quite hard to see the actual mildew.
Powdery mildew is wide spread on squash around Southwest Florida. Incidence and severity is moderate to high in some places.
Growers in the Devils Garden area of Hendry County report finding low levels of powdery mildew on pepper especially older jalapenos.
Powdery mildew of pepper is caused by Leveillula taurica, which is a very different powdery mildew fungus from that causing powdery mildew on cucurbits.
The fungus, which affects cucurbits Podasphaera xanthii (Sphaerotheca fulginea) or, occasionally, Erysiphe cichoracearum, grows on both surfaces of a leaf and forms haustoria within some epidermal cells to absorb nutrients and produces spores on both surfaces.
In contrast, Leveillula taurica grows only within a leaf until it produces spores, a growth habit which is similar to Alternaria and most other foliar plant pathogenic fungi. Additionally, Leveillula taurica only produces spores on the underside of leaves. Leveillula taurica is a species complex that infects over 1000 plant species in 74 families, including tomato and eggplant as well as pepper.
Detecting powdery mildew on pepper can be difficult. The white powdery growth characteristic of powdery mildew diseases occurs only on the underside of leaves and it will turn brown rather than remaining white. Diffuse yellow spotting often develops on the upper surface. Affected leaves tend to drop off the plant, as occurs with bacterial leaf spot.
Gummy Stem Blight
Growers and scouts around Southwest Florida report finding gummy stem blight on watermelon in a number of locations. In a few places infections have been present on transplants causing significant stand reduction.
In Florida, gummy stem blight (black rot) is a serious disease that occurs annually on watermelons. Cucumbers, muskmelons, cantaloupes, squash, and other members of the cucurbit family may also be infected with gummy stem blight. Cucurbits may be infected at any time from seedlings to mature vines with fruit.
Infection and symptoms may occur on all plant parts except roots. Symptoms appear as light to dark brown circular spots on leaves or as a light to dark brown to black, often gummy, lesions on stems. Prior to the occurrence of chlorosis or necrosis, tissues may appear water soaked. Wilting, followed by death of young plants may occur. Stem lesions enlarge and slowly girdle the main stem resulting in a red-brown-black canker that cracks and may exude a red to amber gummy substance. Vine wilting is usually a late symptom. Use of a hand lens will reveal small, clear white (when young) to black (when old), pimple-like pycnidia embedded in older diseased tissue.
Gummy stem blight typically progresses from the central stem of the plant to growing tips. Leaf spots are variable in shape, red-brown in color and initial infections are generally seen on leaf margins and veinal areas.
Because other plant disorders can cause exudation of a gummy substance, “gummy-ness” should not be relied upon for diagnosis of gummy stem blight. Anthracnose and inadequate liming can both cause stem lesions and gumming.
The fungus (Didymella sp) that causes gummy stem blight produces two spore stages, a sexually produced spore (ascospore) and an asexually produced spore (pycnidiospore). The ascospore is windborne and can be disseminated from field to field serving as a primary source of inoculum. The pycnidiospore functions mainly in secondary spread of the disease. Pycnidiospores are released in a gummy substance that makes them more adaptable for spread by splashing water.
Growers often comment on this disease occurring “overnight.” What they are actually seeing are the results of secondary spread, which is more difficult to control than primary spread simply because of increased spore numbers with increased diseased tissue.
Nighttime temperatures and moisture conditions are ideal during much of the growing season in Florida. Gummy stem blight is most severe in wet years since moisture from dew, rain or irrigation is necessary for spore germination. The optimum temperature for infection is 61 to 75?F. After a spore germinates on a susceptible host, the fungus penetrates the plant tissue and symptoms can appear in 7 to 12 days. Wounds assist in promoting infection.
Gummy stem blight can be successfully managed if the grower utilizes a combination of control strategies. Control of primary sources of inoculum is important. Growers should purchase clean seed from reputable companies produced in arid western locations and avoid transplants that have gummy stem blight or other diseases.
In addition to seed, the most important source of primary inoculum is organic debris from previous cucurbit crops. After harvest, crop debris from should be plowed under to reduce inoculum. Volunteers and wild cucurbits provide an additional source of inoculum. Crop rotation and destruction of weed hosts are important for gummy stem blight control.
Multiple applications of fungicides are necessary to control gummy stem blight. It is important to begin a fungicide program prior to the first sign of gummy stem blight. In south Florida, the spray program should be initiated soon after emergence. Bravo, Echo, Equus, ChloroGold, Amistar, Cabrio, Pristine, Dithane, Manex, Maneb, Penncozeb, Manzate, or Topsin applied preventatively have given good results locally. In other areas of the state, fungicide spray programs can be initiated when the vines begin to “run.”
When vines are small, band applications of fungicide over the crown area are effective and help reduce application costs.
Fusarium
Around Southwest Florida, fusarium crown rot continues to show up in tomatoes just before harvest. Reports indicate that incidence is high in some fields. Fusarium wilt is scattered at low levels in several tomato fields usually well below 1%.
Respondents in Palm Beach report that fusarium crown rot is quite active, especially in the older plantings. Growers note that the incidence on the hurricane holdover plants is much higher than those planted after the storms.
Sclerotinina
White mold is widely present on beans in a number of locations around South Florida.
Around Southwest Florida, sclerotinia has slowed but is still common in several pepper fields and at lower levels in tomatoes.
Mosaic
Mosaic is widely present on squash around Southwest Florida. In at least one location, nearly 100% infection has been reported on young seedlings prompting growers to destroy the crop and replant.
Reports from Homestead indicate that mosaic is increasing in squash and some respondents note that aphid control with Fulfill has not been as consistent as in past seasons.
Bean Golden Mosaic
Growers and scouts in Homestead report increasing whitefly pressure in beans and report that resulting BGMV is much higher on double crop beans compared to the first crop.
Anthracnose
Growers and scouts around Immokalee report finding anthracnose on pepper. Incidence and severity remain low to moderate.
Tomato Spotted Wilt
Respondents in Homestead report that new finds of tomato spotted wilt virus has slowed with many fields in the 1-3% range now and at least one hot spot with an 10% infection rate.
News You Can Use
Monsanto Buys Seminis
Monsanto Company signed a definitive agreement to acquire Seminis, Inc., for $1.4 billion in cash and assumed debt, plus a performance-based payment of up to $125 million payable by the end of fiscal year 2007.
February 7 Is Food Check-Out Day
February 7 has been designated Food Check-Out Day to commemorate that between January 1 and February 7, the average American will have earned enough income to pay for his or her family's entire 2005 food supply, including meals eaten outside the home.
The idea for Food Check-Out Day was developed by the American Farm Bureau Women's Committee and was first observed in 1998.
FFVA Gets New Look
Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) has a new look and new address. The association unveiled its first new logo in more than 50 years at its 61st Annual Convention on Sept. 26–28.
The new logo was developed under the direction of FFVA’s executive committee, with designs considered over a one-year period. FFVA’s board of directors approved the design in June. The association has also moved. It is now located at 800 Trafalgar Court, Suite 200, Maitland, FL 32751. The new phone number is 321-214-5200. Visit their website at www.ffva.com.
The Society of St. Andrew - Gleaning America's Fields ~ Feeding America's Hungry
In the aftermath of last year’s hurricanes, the work of the Society of St. Andrew in Florida has increased. More Floridians are unemployed and depending on food banks and assistance programs than ever before and they can use your help.
Every fruit and vegetable grower has produce that's culled out, whether
for market conditions, blemishes or size. The Society of St.
Andrew would like to recover that produce before it's disposed of or plowed
under. They can recover small amounts through our gleaning project
or large amounts through connections with feeding agencies or sending tractor-trailers
to transport it.
The Society of St. Andrew does not ask for the donation of products
that are commercially marketable. They seek only the excess, which
is not economically or cosmetically marketable, yet is still consumable
if recovered quickly.
If you would like to help the Society of St. Andrew combat hunger in Florida, or need more information or have questions, please call Ann Maier, Society of St. Andrew - Florida Regional Director, at 239-275-7815, email seeks@aol.com or Kathy Forth, Society of St. Andrew - Florida Program Coordinator, toll free at 1-800-806-0756, or by e-mail at: sosafl@endhunger.org. The Society of St. Andrew’s web site is: www.endhunger.org.
Loans for Socially Disadvantaged Persons
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) can make and guarantee loans to socially disadvantaged applicants to buy and operate family size farms and ranches. Funds are specifically reserved for these loans each year.
A socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher is on of a group whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic or gender prejudice because of their identity as members of the group without regard to their individual qualities. For purposes of this program, socially disadvantaged groups are women, African Americans, American Indians, Alaskan Natives Hispanics, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
Contact Elijah Hamilton at 239-997-7331, Ext 104 for further information and to apply for loan assistance.
Up Coming Meetings
Miami Dade County
February 8, 2005 Dow Product Update and Soybean Rust Update 7:00 PM
John D Campbell Agricultural Center
18710 SW 288th Street
Homestead, FL 32030
Contact Mary Lamberts for details at 305-248-3311
Palm Beach County
February 8, 2005 Dow Product Update and Soybean Rust Update 11:30 AM
Drawbridge Cafe
Belle Glade, Florida
Contact Darrin Parmenter for details at 561-233-1725
February 9, 2005 Dow Product Update and Soybean Rust Update 11:30 AM
Richards Steakhouse
Delray Beach, Florida
Contact Darrin Parmenter for details at 561-233-1725
February 9, 2005 General Standards/Core Test Review
8 AM – 10 AM 2 CEUs
Agricultural Row Crop Test Review 1 PM – 3 PM 2 CEU’s
Belle Glade Extension Office
2976 State Road 15
Belle Glade, Florida
Contact Laura Powell at 561-996-1655.
Southwest Florida
February 9, 2005 Vegetable Growers Meeting 6:00 PM
UF/IFAS - SW Florida Research and Education Center
Hwy 29 N
Immokalee, Florida
Contact Gene McAvoy at 863-674-4092
February 10, 2005 Worker Protection Standard Training
9:00 AM - Spanish 1:00 PM - English
Hendry County Extension Office
1085 Pratt Boulevard
LaBelle, Florida
Contact Gene McAvoy at 863-674-4092
Websites
The Soil Biology Primer is an introduction to the living component of soil and how it contributes to agricultural productivity, and air and water quality. The Primer includes units describing the soil food web and its relationship to soil health, and units about bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, arthropods, and earthworms. This is the online version of the booklet originally produced by the NRCS Soil Quality Institute and is of interest to a broad audience including farmers, ranchers, agricultural professionals, resource specialists, conservationists, soil scientists, students, and educators. Set you browser to http://soils.usda.gov/sqi/soil_quality/soil_biology/soil_biology_primer.html
Koppert Biological Systems - Providing state of the art
biological control and natural pollination
for professional growers around the world. Kopperts is not only
an excellent source of predator and parasitic bio-controls but the website
also provides information on the effects of various pesticides on beneficials
as well as control tips for various insects. Go to http://www.koppert.nl/e005.shtml
Quotable Quotes
Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
What happens if you get scared half to death twice?
Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
The hardness of the butter is proportional to the softness of the bread.
To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research.
The problem with the gene pool is that there is no lifeguard.
The sooner you fall behind, the more time you'll have to catch up.
The colder the x-ray table, the more of your body is required to be on it.
Everyone has a photographic memory; some just don't have the film.
On the Lighter Side
The Hillbilly and the Game Warden
A hillbilly went hunting one day in Oklahoma and bagged three ducks. He put them in the bed of his pickup truck and was about to drive home where he was confronted by an ornery game warden who didn't like hillbillies. The game warden ordered to the hillbilly to show his hunting license, and the hillbilly pulled out a valid Oklahoma hunting license. The game warden looked at the license, then reached over and picked up one of the ducks, sniffed its butt, and said, "This duck ain't from Oklahoma. This is a Kansas duck. You got a Kansas huntin' license, boy?" The hillbilly reached into his wallet and produced a Kansas hunting license.
The game warden looked at it, then reached over and grabbed the second duck, sniffed its butt, and said, "This ain't no Kansas duck. This duck's from Arkansas. You got an Arkansas license?"
The hillbilly reached into his wallet and produced an Arkansas license. The warden then reached over and picked up the third duck, sniffed its butt, and said, “This ain't no Arkansas duck. This here duck's from South Carolina. You got a South Carolina huntin' license?"
Again the hillbilly reached into his wallet and brought out a South Carolina hunting license. The game warden was extremely frustrated at this point, and he yelled at the hillbilly "Just where the hell are you from?
"The hillbilly turned around, bent over, dropped his pants, and said, "You tell me, you're the expert!!"
"Riches"
It all depends on the way you look at things. One day a father and his rich family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose to show him how poor people can be. They spent a day and a night on the farm of a very poor family. When they got back from their trip the father asked his son, "How was the trip?"
"Very good Dad!"
"Did you see how poor people can be?" the father asked.
"Yeah!"
"And what did you learn?"
The son answered, "I saw that we have a dog at home, and they have four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of the garden; they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lamps in the garden, they have the stars. Our patio reaches to the front yard, they have a whole horizon."
When the little boy was finished, his father was speechless.
His son added, "Thanks, Dad for showing me how poor we are!"
Isn't it true that it all depends on the way you look at things? If you have love, friends, family, health, good humor and a positive attitude towards life - you've got everything!
You can't buy any of these things, but still, you can have all the material possessions you can imagine, provisions for the future, etc.; but if you are poor of spirit, you have nothing!
Contributors include: Joel Allingham/AgriCare, Inc, Karen Armbrester/SWFREC, Kathy Carbiener /Agricultural Pest Management, Jim Connor/SWFREC, Bruce Corbitt/West Coast Tomato Growers, Dr. Kent Cushman/SWFREC, Dr. Phyllis Gilreath/Manatee County Extension, Fred Heald/Farmers Supply, Sarah Hornsby/AgCropCon, Cecil Howell/H&R Farm, Loren Horsman/Glades Crop Care, Bruce Johnson/General Crop Management, Dr. Mary Lamberts/Miami-Dade County Extension, Leon Lucas/Glades Crop Care, Gene McAvoy/Hendry County Extension, Alice McGhee/Thomas Produce, Jimmy Morales/Pro Source One, Tim Nychk/Nychk Bros. Farm, Chuck Obern/C+B Farm, Teresa Olczyk/ Miami-Dade County Extension, Darrin Parmenter/Palm Beach County Extension, Dr. Ken Pernezny/EREC, Dr. Pam Roberts/SWFREC, Dr. Nancy Roe/Farming Systems Research, Wes Roan/6 L's, Kevin Seitzinger/Gargiulo, Jay Shivler/ F& F Farm, Ken Shuler/Stephen’s Produce, Ed Skvarch/St Lucie County Extension, John Stanford/LNA Farm, Mike Stanford/MED Farms, Dr. Phil Stansly/SWFREC, Eugene Tolar/Red Star Farms, Dr. Charles Vavrina/SWFREC, Mark Verbeck and Donna Verbeck/GulfCoast Ag, and Alicia Whidden/Hillsborough County Extension.
The South
Florida Pest and Disease Hotline is compiled by Gene McAvoy
and is issued on a biweekly basis by the Hendry County Cooperative Extension
Office as a service to the vegetable industry.
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