Melons
UF releases first Hurricane Ian damage estimates
Hurricane Ian’s winds and rains caused a $1.56 billion hit to more than 5 million acres of Florida agricultural land, including vegetables and melons, according to initial estimates from University of Florida (UF) Institute of... more »
Growers assess Hurricane Ian damage
Florida growers are surveying damage to crops and property, following Hurricane Ian’s deadly landfall. Ian’s winds and rains caused massive human and property losses and harmed a variety of crops, from citrus to zucchini squash.... more »
Hurricane relief fund started for Florida growers
To aid farmers in recovering from Hurricane Ian, the Florida Farm Bureau has started a relief fund. The Hurricane Ian Relief Fund for Agriculture is designed to assist Florida farmers and ranchers affected by the... more »
Seminis watermelon, Jet Ski, ready to make a splash
A new watermelon variety from Seminis is designed to help growers make a splash in the early season market. The variety, Jet Ski, is a 45-count watermelon that meets high expectations for performance in the... more »
Bayer’s Woodland Research Facility celebrates 50 years
From aggressive diseases and pest pressures to climate shifts, labor shortages and evolving consumer preferences, growers are facing more and more challenges in their work to grow nutritious and great-tasting fruits and vegetables. Innovation is... more »
Watermelon board ramps up digital presence
This summer, National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB) infused fresh online marketing trends into its consumer communications program to not only remain relevant but also thrive in today’s digital landscape. Recognizing that not all consumers need... more »
Grafting watermelons could boost yields for California growers
As growers across California navigate severe drought, supply-chain challenges and rising inflation, reducing inputs has become an existential necessity. And for watermelon growers, a new twist on a thousands-year-old practice is showing real promise. In... more »
Downy mildew detected on Michigan cucumbers, melons
Michigan State University Extension is encouraging all Michigan cucumber and melon growers to employ downy mildew fungicides now. The first symptoms of cucurbit downy mildew disease on pickling cucumber plants in commercial production fields has... more »