Jul 29, 2024

Editor’s Letter: Growers benefit from new apps, spraying tech

New University of Florida research shows how strawberry growers can use fewer pesticides to control a destructive pest. As they say in real estate, it’s location, location, location.

The study discovered chilli thrips prefer to aggregate in a 330-foot radius outside the center of strawberry fields. That field-border area provides the invasive pest a staging area close to adjacent woods, where they can easily live during the summer and reinfest during the next strawberry season.

Growers can save money and time by spraying lower volumes of insecticides in smaller portions of their fields. The more efficient spraying can protect beneficial insects in and around their fields, which in turn will assist with maintaining healthier strawberry plants.

Spraying technology

Vegetable Growers News take a look at how advancements in spraying and other AgTech can reduce grower costs. Read about how new spraying technology can help control pests and diseases in the article Tech talk. 

FIRA-USA

The fall FIRA-USA is a great opportunity for growers to view the latest in ag automation and robotic technology. As previous shows were in the Central and Salinas valleys, this year’s will be in northern California and growers get free admission. See what this year’s will offer in the FIRA preview article. 

Labor issues

In a special report conducted by Fruit Growers News and Vegetable Growers news, we query growers on their experiences in battling labor shortage. Read the summary of the report on and learn how you can download more details. 

Vidalia onion grower

To see how a Vidalia onion grower incorporates tech into his growing operation, Vegetable Growers news profiled A&M Farms. Aries Haygood, a former Vidalia Onion Committee head, also shared that the farm has trialed laser weeding automation. Read the article for more insight into this farming operation and its success over the generations.

For even more articles, check out the Vegetable Growers News July/August digital edition issue.

By Doug Ohlemeier, Assistant Editor