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Monday, March 16, 2015
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Freeze Warning and Wind Chill Advisory February 18-19 2015
The
National Weather Service (NWS) in Ruskin, FL has issued a Freeze Warning &
Wind Chill Advisory for all of the Nature Coast (Citrus-Hernando-Sumter-Pasco)
for February 18 evening to February 19 morning. Temperatures are predicted
to be in the low 30s to upper 20s overnight with the wind chill. I have
attached the UF-IFAS EDIS publication on Cold Protection in Blueberries as
well as included the UF-IFAS Stonefruit Extension link (below) to assist you
with cold protection decision making.
As
always, you can monitor real time weather using the Florida Automated Weather
Network (FAWN) at http://fawn.ifas.ufl.edu/. FAWN has a cold
protection tab which in includes the following items: cold protection tool kit
(minimum overnight temperature - calculated), Evaporative Cooling Potential,
Wet Bulb Based Irrigation Cut off, and Citrus Leaf Freezing Temperature.
All
warnings have been added to the bottom of this email for your convenience.
Please
take appropriate actions now to protect plant materials, crops, animals,
and equipment.
Feel
free to contact me if you have any questions.
Stay
Warm!
Freeze Warning
URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAMPA BAY AREA - RUSKIN FL
318 AM EST WED FEB 18 2015
FLZ043-142-148-248-182245-
/O.NEW.KTBW.FZ.W.0003.150219T0600Z-150219T1400Z/
/O.NEW.KTBW.HZ.A.0001.150220T0300Z-150220T1400Z/
SUMTER-COASTAL CITRUS-COASTAL HERNANDO-INLAND HERNANDO-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...BUSHNELL...THE VILLAGES...
CRYSTAL RIVER...HOMOSASSA...HERNANDO BEACH...BAYPORT...
BROOKSVILLE...SPRING HILL
318 AM EST WED FEB 18 2015
...FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 9 AM EST THURSDAY...
...HARD FREEZE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY EVENING THROUGH
FRIDAY MORNING...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RUSKIN HAS ISSUED A FREEZE
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 9 AM EST THURSDAY. A
HARD FREEZE WATCH HAS ALSO BEEN ISSUED AND IS IN EFFECT FROM
THURSDAY EVENING THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING.
* WEDNESDAY NIGHT TEMPERATURES...A FEW HOURS OF
FREEZING TEMPERATURES BETWEEN 29 AND 32 DEGREES.
* THURSDAY NIGHT/FRIDAY MORNING TEMPERATURES...SEVERAL HOURS OF
FREEZING TEMPERATURES BETWEEN 22 AND 26 DEGREES.
* IMPACTS...TENDER VEGETATION...PEOPLE...AND PETS SENSITIVE TO
THE COLD SHOULD BE PROTECTED.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A FREEZE WARNING IS ISSUED FOR 2 OR MORE HOURS OF TEMPERATURES
BETWEEN 27 AND 32 OVER A WIDESPREAD AREA.
RESIDENTS SHOULD COVER OR MOVE INDOORS ANY COLD SENSITIVE
PLANTS...AND BRING PETS INDOORS THIS EVENING.
A HARD FREEZE WATCH MEANS SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES ARE POSSIBLE.
THESE CONDITIONS COULD KILL CROPS AND OTHER SENSITIVE VEGETATION.
&&
$$
FLZ249-182115-
INLAND PASCO-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...DADE CITY...ZEPHYRHILLS
333 AM EST WED FEB 18 2015
...WIND CHILL ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM
EST THURSDAY...
...HARD FREEZE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY EVENING THROUGH
FRIDAY MORNING...
.TODAY...COOLER. MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 50S. NORTHWEST
WINDS 10 TO 15 MPH.
.TONIGHT...COLDER. MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE LOWER 30S. NORTHWEST
WINDS 10 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 25 MPH. LOWEST WIND CHILL
READINGS 27 TO 32 EARLY IN THE MORNING.
.THURSDAY...BREEZY. MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 50S.
NORTHWEST WINDS 10 TO 20 MPH. LOWEST WIND CHILL READINGS 25 TO
30 EARLY IN THE MORNING.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...CLEAR. LOWS IN THE MID 20S. NORTH WINDS 5 TO
10 MPH. LOWEST WIND CHILL READINGS 18 TO 23 AFTER MIDNIGHT.
.FRIDAY...SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE MID 50S. NORTHEAST WINDS 10 TO
15 MPH. LOWEST WIND CHILL READINGS 17 TO 22 EARLY IN THE MORNING.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...NOT AS COOL. MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS AROUND 40.
.SATURDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT...WARMER. PARTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS IN THE
LOWER 70S. LOWS IN THE MID 50S.
.SUNDAY THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER
70S. LOWS IN THE MID 50S.
.TUESDAY...PARTLY SUNNY WITH A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS. HIGHS
AROUND 70. CHANCE OF RAIN 20 PERCENT.
FLZ043-182115-
SUMTER-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...BUSHNELL...THE VILLAGES
333 AM EST WED FEB 18 2015
...WIND CHILL ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM
EST THURSDAY...
...FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 9 AM EST THURSDAY...
...HARD FREEZE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY EVENING THROUGH
FRIDAY MORNING...
.TODAY...COOLER. MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 50S. NORTHWEST
WINDS 10 TO 15 MPH.
.TONIGHT...COLDER. MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE LOWER 30S. NORTHWEST
WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH. LOWEST WIND CHILL READINGS 24 TO 29 EARLY IN
THE MORNING.
.THURSDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS AROUND 50. NORTHWEST WINDS 10 TO
15 MPH. LOWEST WIND CHILL READINGS 22 TO 27 EARLY IN THE MORNING.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...CLEAR. LOWS IN THE MID 20S. NORTH WINDS 5 TO
10 MPH. LOWEST WIND CHILL READINGS 17 TO 22 EARLY IN THE MORNING.
.FRIDAY...SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE MID 50S. NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10
MPH. LOWEST WIND CHILL READINGS 16 TO 21 EARLY IN THE MORNING.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...NOT AS COOL. MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS AROUND 40.
.SATURDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT...WARMER. PARTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS AROUND
70. LOWS IN THE MID 50S.
.SUNDAY THROUGH MONDAY...PARTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70S.
LOWS IN THE UPPER 50S.
.MONDAY NIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE LOWER 50S.
.TUESDAY...PARTLY SUNNY WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS. HIGHS AROUND 70.
CHANCE OF RAIN 30 PERCENT.
$$
Friday, April 11, 2014
Reports of Thrips in the FL Nature Coast Area
Image from IPM NCSU
Over
the past week, I have received reports and seen high population of thrips on
horticultural crops. To the point, they are biting workers and are believed to
be chiggers.
As
many of you know, thrips can transfer viruses as well as cause commodities to
be unmarketable due to incurred damage.
I
have included link to documents to manage thrips in the various crops that are
grown in the Pasco-Hernando-Citrus-Sumter area. Please make sure you read the
label on any product you intend to use. The label is the law!
Ornamental
Crops – Thrips Management from MREC - https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/lso/DOCUMENTS/ThripsManagementProgram-February%202011-FINAL.pdf
Blueberries
– I contacted Dr. Liburd. He recommended the following products and ROTATION:
Delegate (Spinetoram) and Assail (Acetamiprid), and Malathion (diethyl
mercaptosuccinate). You should not use any products more than two times in a
row and repeat applications every 10-14 days. More information on insecticides
labeled for blueberries can be found on the UF-IFAS Blueberry Insect IPM Guide
at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/HS/HS38000.pdf.
More information about monitoring for thrips in Southern High Bush Blueberries can be found at the following link: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in637.
Nectarines/Peaches
– Nectarines are very susceptible to thrips damage. Russetting typically occurs
around bloom (yes, we are way beyond that, but populations that I have seen are
high). On peaches, silvering (damage) may occur as the red blush develops.
SpinTor (spinosad) or Delegate (spinetoram) must be rotated with other
insecticides as both of these are from the same chemical class. Danitol
(Fenpropathrin) is a broad spectrum insecticide and will reduce your beneficial
as well as target pests. Read the label to ensure you are choosing a
product that has a PHI that meets your needs. More information on
insecticides labeled for stonefruits can be found at the Southeast Stonefruit
Pest Management Guide (http://www.ent.uga.edu/peach/peachguide.pdf)
or UF-IFAS Peach Insect IPM Guide at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ig075.
Vegetables
– Please consult the correct commodity chapter in the Vegetable Production
Guide, which can be found here: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_vph.
Thrips
readily develop resistance to insecticides so it is VERY important that
chemical classes are ROTATED.
If
you need monitoring tools for thrips (i.e. hand lens and sticky cards), please
let me know. I have a small supply of these items available.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Proposed Changes to Agriculture Worker Protection Standard (WPS)
Last month, EPA released a Press Release with Proposed Changes to the Agriculture Worker Protection Standard. Some of the proposed changes include: stricter pesticide safety training requirements, mandatory posting of No Entry Signs, Minimum Age requirement, No Entry Buffer Areas, and PPE requirements to name a few. You can read the press release below and comment on the docket by using the hyperlink.
EPA Proposes New Safety Measures to
Protect Farm Workers from Pesticide Exposure
WASHINGTON —Today, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced proposed revisions to the
Worker Protection Standard in order to protect the nation’s two million farm
workers and their families from pesticide exposure.
“Today marks an important milestone for the
farm workers who plant, tend, and harvest the food that we put on our tables
each day,” said Gina McCarthy, EPA Administrator. “EPA’s revised Worker
Protection Standard will afford farm workers similar health protections to
those already enjoyed by workers in other jobs. Protecting our nation’s farm
workers from pesticide exposure is at the core of EPA’s work to ensure
environmental justice.”
EPA is proposing significant improvements to
worker training regarding the safe usage of pesticides, including how to
prevent and effectively treat pesticide exposure. Increased training and
signage will inform farm workers about the protections they are afforded under
the law and will help them protect themselves and their families from pesticide
exposure.
Workers and others near treated fields will
now be protected from pesticide overspray and fumes. In addition, EPA has
proposed that children under 16 be legally barred from handling all pesticides,
with an exemption for family farms. These revisions protect workers while
ensuring agricultural productivity and preserving the traditions of family
farms.
This proposal represents more than a decade
of extensive stakeholder input by federal and state partners and from across
the agricultural community including farm workers, farmers, and industry on the
current EPA Worker Protection Standard (WPS) for Agricultural Pesticides first
established in 1992.
For more information on the EPA’s Proposed
Worker Protection Standard: http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/safety/workers/proposed/index.html
R042
Monday, March 10, 2014
Certified Pile Burner Course Scheduled for July!
The UF-IFAS Extension multi-county commercial horticulture extension program of Sumter & Pasco counties will be hosting a Certified Pile Burner Course on Wednesday July 2, 2014 from 8:30am to 5pm at the West Central FL Ag Center in Bushnell, FL. This program is designed for landowners who frequently burn piles. There are benefits to being a certified pile burner. You can burn piles longer and get priority authorization to burn piles. More information about this program that is offered through the Florida Forest Service at http://sumter.ifas.ufl.edu/Commercial-Horticulture/documents/SumterCountyPileBurnerUpdated.pdf.
The cost of this program is $50 which covers the cost of the study materials and lunch. Space is limited so RSVP today at https://certifiedpileburnerjuly2.eventbrite.com.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Got Cover Crops? Your input is needed!
Farmers, your input on cover crops is requested by USDA/SARE and the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC). They want to help you improve your success with cover crops and soil management by clarifying program priorities, etc. based on your confidential responses.
To access the survey and for more details at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CoverCropSurvey13-14.
Monday, March 3, 2014
March Coastal Springs FNGLA Chapter Meeting
The next Coastal Springs FNGLA Chapter meeting will be at C & C Peat in Okahumpka, FL on March 18, 2014 from 5:00-9:00pm. Brooke Moffis of Lake County Extension will be presenting on Beneficial Insects and Scouting. The cost of attendance is $15 to defray the cost of dinner. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP with C & C Peat at 1-800-330-4866
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