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Everything Local conference strengthens Illinois food supply chain

November 28, 2023

Illinois producers and agribusiness leaders are increasingly seeking new opportunities to boost local food systems. Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB), Illinois Specialty Growers Association (ISGA) and the Illinois Farmers Market Association (IFMA) are excited to announce the return of the From Food to...

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New mobile resource for commercial vegetable production

November 28, 2023

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

Just like growers who attend winter meetings to increase their knowledge and skills, Extension educators are continuously learning new or updated information to provide current, relevant research-based information to individuals, families, and groups that we serve. I recently attended the 2023...

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Let your voice be heard! Public comment period on proposed rate changes to chlorothalonil

November 28, 2023

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

The active ingredient chlorothalonil (e.g. Bravo, Daconil) is undergoing the registration review process, and the public comment period is now open through January 17 for the EPA’s Chlorothalonil, Proposed Interim...

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Pumpkin displaying virus symptoms. Photo credit: N. Johanning Illinois Extension 2023.

Southwestern Illinois Update: Pumpkins survive despite weather

October 3, 2023

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

While the calendar says fall, it feels more like summer. Highs have been in the upper 80s and low 90s. Limited rainfall has been the biggest issue recently. Since August many areas have had 0.5 inches or less of rain. We did get a break the last week of September when we got 1 to 2 inches of rain...

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Remember to look at disease resistance when selecting varieties

October 3, 2023

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

In walking through the hydroponic tunnel at the Dixon Springs Agricultural Center this week, the stark difference in powdery mildew disease pressure could not be ignored and was the inspiration for this article. In the guide from Missouri Extension,...

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Central Illinois Update: Ginger is teaching valuable lessons

October 3, 2023

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

The ginger crop languished in the Unity high tunnel during August, putting on minimal growth — even with shade cloth in place of plastic over the top of the tunnel. The ginger trial team and I are starting to think that this crop may benefit from more than the 30% shade cloth we are using in the...

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St. Louis Metro East Update: Cool nights benefit red apples

October 3, 2023

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

The St Louis Metro East in the last few weeks has been experiencing what I would call “resort” weather, with temperatures during the day in the upper 70s to middle 80s and nighttime lows in the upper 50s to low 60s. Apple harvest is in the ‘Golden Delicious,’ ‘Red Delicious,’ and ‘Jonagold’...

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Dixon Springs Update: Time to clean the tunnels

October 3, 2023

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

Not to brag or anything, but we may be on a 2-week streak of what I consider perfect weather. The humidity levels have dropped making it easier to breath, and the temperatures have been in the upper 70s to low 80s during the day. We did receive about 0.1” of rain on September 21 which was just...

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Southwestern Illinois Update: Pumpkin fruit accelerate growth

August 25, 2023

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

Pumpkins are doing well. I gave my pumpkins a side dress application of nitrogen the first week of August and they have really taken off we have fruit starting to size nicely. I have not seen any signs of powdery mildew yet but have started spraying preventative fungicides, especially given the...

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Dixon Springs Update: Hydroponic vegetables continue producing

August 25, 2023

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

We had a break from the summer heat last week, but this week the heat dome has moved back over our region creating very hot, humid conditions. With 95-100° temperatures and heat indexes ranging from 105-120°, much of the field work in our high tunnels is completed before noon with lots of water and...

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