According to UF/IFAS Extension, North Florida's 2026 watermelon season overcame drought conditions, a late-season freeze, and early market pressure to deliver excellent yields and fruit quality. As harvest progressed, fruit size improved and strong late-season demand helped strengthen prices, rewarding growers who stayed the course.

That success didn't happen by accident.

Producing a high-quality watermelon crop starts long before harvest—with healthy roots. Strong root systems help plants use water and nutrients more efficiently, better withstand environmental stress, and maximize yield potential and fruit quality throughout the season.

TELONE™ by Teleos soil fumigant gives watermelon growers peace of mind by managing plant-parasitic nematodes before planting. By creating a zone of protection during crop establishment, TELONE™ supports healthy root development, helping growers build the strong foundation needed to get the most from every acre.

Teleos is proud to be a Gold Sponsor of this year's Western Plant Health (WPH) Summer Regulatory Meeting, where industry leaders, regulators, researchers, and stakeholders come together to discuss the policies and science shaping the future of California agriculture.

We're also proud to support the important work of Western Plant Health, whose mission is to advocate for science-based regulations, promote the responsible use of crop protection products, and help ensure growers have continued access to the tools they need to produce safe, abundant, and affordable food. We support their vision for "a sustainable future that harmonizes the needs of plants, people, and the planet."

Our California TELONE™ Specialist and Regulatory Affairs team are representing Teleos at this year's meeting. They look forward to engaging in discussions and collaborating with industry partners on the issues impacting California agriculture.

Teleos believes stewardship, sound science, and collaboration are essential to supporting growers and advancing sustainable agriculture. We're grateful for organizations like Western Plant Health that work every day to represent the interests of California agriculture and promote practical, science-based solutions.

Recently, Georgia Department of Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper called for stronger protections for U.S. specialty crop producers, noting that American farmers compete while meeting some of the world's most rigorous labor, environmental, food safety, and pesticide regulations. Those standards help ensure consumers have confidence in the food they purchase while supporting a safe, reliable, and affordable domestic food supply.

Producing food under these standards requires innovation, stewardship, and access to effective crop protection tools.

TELONE™ by Teleos soil fumigant helps growers manage plant-parasitic nematodes before planting, supporting healthy roots, improved water and nutrient uptake, increased marketable yields, and better crop quality.

Just as important, TELONE™ contains no PFAS and, when used according to the label, leaves no detectable residues at harvest. Combined with comprehensive stewardship programs, applicator training, and rigorous regulatory oversight, growers can use TELONE™ safely and responsibly while producing the high-quality crops consumers expect.

American agriculture has earned consumers' trust through science, stewardship, and an unwavering commitment to producing safe, abundant, and affordable food.

Healthy roots are the foundation of healthy crops. And remember—there's no coming back from a poor start!

PFAS is an important topic in agriculture—and one worth understanding. The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) recently shared a fact sheet titled "PFAS and Specialty Crops: What Growers Should Know". It covers several commonly asked questions and breaks down what PFAS are and how they affect the ag industry.

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large group of synthetic chemicals that have been used for decades in products such as nonstick cookware, waterproof fabrics, firefighting foams, and industrial manufacturing because they resist heat, oil, grease, and water.

As research continues and federal and state regulations evolve, growers and consumers are understandably asking more questions about PFAS and food production.

One question we occasionally hear is whether TELONE™ by Teleos soil fumigant contains PFAS. The answer is NO. TELONE™ does not contain any PFAS compounds.

TELONE™ is a pre-plant soil fumigant used to manage plant-parasitic nematodes before planting. When used according to the label, TELONE™ is injected into the soil, where it performs its intended function and naturally dissipates before crops are planted. It also leaves ZERO residuals on harvested crops. You heard that right—zero residuals and the product never comes in contact with the actual crop!

At Teleos Ag Solutions, we believe science-based education and transparency are essential. As conversations around PFAS continue, it's important to distinguish between different chemistries and understand how individual crop protection products are used.

Good news for North Carolina sweetpotato growers!

A new industry outlook from the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission projects North Carolina's 2026 sweetpotato harvest to be stable—or even slightly larger than last year.

The forecast is driven by growing global demand, expanding export markets, and continued investment in research, innovation, and production practices. With nearly 92,000 acres harvested in 2025 and an estimated $400 million economic impact, North Carolina continues to lead U.S. sweetpotato production.

As growers prepare for another promising season, protecting yield potential from the very beginning remains critical.

Plant-parasitic nematodes—especially the aggressive guava root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne enterolobii)—pose a significant threat to sweetpotato quality and marketable yield. Because damage begins belowground, proactive management is essential.

That's why many growers trust their soil prep to TELONE™ by Teleos soil fumigant. Applied before planting, TELONE™ helps reduce nematode pressure, supporting healthier root systems, improved crop quality, increased marketable yields, and stronger return on investment.

The best part for sweetpotato growers who export: TELONE™ leaves behind zero residuals and all sweetpotatoes grown in soil prepped with TELONE™ are approved for sale in the EU!

When demand is growing and every marketable sweetpotato counts, it pays to start with a strong foundation. Remember, there's no coming back from a poor start!

Growers know and trust TELONE™ by Teleos soil fumigant to help manage nematodes before orchard replant.

Did you know:

• California produces approximately 75% of U.S. peaches by volume and nearly two-thirds of the crop's total value.
• The nation's top peach-producing states are California, South Carolina, and Georgia.
• USDA forecasts California's 2025 peach production at 550,000 tons, up 4% from 2024 and 11% above the previous three-year average.
• California supplies the vast majority of U.S. processed peaches, while also producing significant volumes for the fresh market.
• Peach trees are expected to remain productive for decades, making orchard establishment one of the most important decisions a grower makes.

One of the biggest challenges during orchard establishment and replant is plant-parasitic nematodes. These microscopic pests attack developing root systems, reducing water and nutrient uptake, slowing tree establishment, and contributing to replant problems that can negatively impact orchard performance for years.

That's why many growers incorporate pre-plant soil preparation with TELONE™. By reducing nematode pressure before planting, TELONE™ helps create a zone of protection for root development, supporting stronger tree establishment, improved productivity, and long-term return on investment.

Did you know cucumbers are part of the cucurbit family? Cucurbits include crops like cucumbers, watermelons, cantaloupes, squash, and pumpkins—some of the most important specialty crops grown across the United States.

While cucumbers may thrive aboveground, they face significant challenges belowground. Plant-parasitic nematodes can damage roots, reduce water and nutrient uptake, and make plants more susceptible to stress and soilborne diseases. Left unmanaged, these microscopic pests can impact both yield and crop quality.

That's why many growers trust pre-plant soil preparation with TELONE™ by Teleos soil fumigant. By reducing nematode pressure before planting, TELONE™ helps create a healthier environment for root development, supporting stronger plants and improved crop performance throughout the season.

Summer means watermelons! But did you know that watermelons, cantaloupes, and other melons are highly susceptible to plant-parasitic nematodes? This is particularly true in warm, sandy production regions like Florida, Georgia, California, and Texas.

Left unmanaged, nematodes can damage roots, reduce water and nutrient uptake, and increase susceptibility to soilborne diseases such as Fusarium wilt.

That’s why many growers trust pre-plant soil prep with TELONE™ by Teleos soil fumigant, often in combination with chloropicrin. TELONE™ helps manage nematodes deep in the soil profile, while chloropicrin helps suppress soilborne diseases—creating a protective zone where roots can establish and thrive.

TELONE™ supports healthy root systems, improved crop quality, increased marketable yields, and stronger return on investment.

SCPA goes to Washington! Last week, Teleos Ag Solutions President John Godbehere joined fellow members of the SOUTHERN CROP PRODUCTION ASSOCIATION (SCPA) in Washington, D.C. for the organization's annual Hill Visits.

This annual advocacy event brings together growers, manufacturers, distributors, and allied organizations from across agriculture to meet directly with Congressional offices and share the industry's priorities and challenges. This year, SCPA members and allies met with 69 congressional offices, representing the voices of agriculture on issues including:

• Farm Bill priorities
• PRIA and regulatory certainty
• Transportation and supply chain challenges

At Teleos, we believe it is important to be an active participant in the conversations that shape the future of agriculture. Advocacy efforts like these help ensure policymakers understand the realities facing growers and the businesses that support them.

Thank you to SCPA and the more than 80 participants representing 34 member organizations and industry allies who took the time to engage on behalf of agriculture.

California sweetpotato applications are going strong and will continue through mid-June! California grows approximately 20% of the sweet potatoes produced in the United States annually, making it the second-largest producer behind North Carolina.

The image below is a sweetpotato application in California last spring. California sweetpotato growers understand the importance of starting strong belowground; that's why many trust TELONE™ by Teleos soil fumigant to prep their soil ahead of planting.

Plant-parasitic nematodes can significantly impact root development, crop quality, and overall yield potential if not managed early.

By reducing nematode pressure during the critical early weeks of growth, TELONE™ helps establish healthier, more extensive root systems capable of supporting improved crop performance, increased marketable yields, and stronger return on investment.

For growers supplying export markets, TELONE™ also leaves behind zero residuals, and sweetpotatoes grown in TELONE™-prepped soil are approved for sale in the EU.

A recent Growing Produce article highlighted the importance of understanding how soil fumigants work, following label requirements, and implementing proper application practices to ensure safe, effective use. Soil fumigation continues to play a critical role in managing nematodes and other soilborne pests in high-value specialty crops.

At Teleos Ag Solutions, stewardship is foundational to everything we do. From application planning and soil moisture management to worker safety and regulatory compliance, successful fumigation starts with preparation, education, and responsible use.

We want to ensure that TELONE™ by Teleos soil fumigant is stewarded properly from transportation through application. That’s why we continue to invest in stewardship resources designed to help growers, applicators, and distributors stay informed and operate confidently in the field.

Remember, there's no coming back from a poor start, and that includes stewardship!

Nematodes remain one of the most persistent and costly challenges in root crop production.

A recent Growing Produce article highlights how plant-parasitic nematodes can significantly impact crops like carrots, potatoes, and other root vegetables—damaging roots, reducing nutrient uptake, and ultimately lowering yield and marketable quality.

Because much of this damage happens belowground, it often goes undetected until it’s too late.

That’s why proactive management is critical. While it's true that there are now many in-season options available, the article states that "fumigation continues to provide the most consistent, broad-spectrum control overall."

That's why many growers trust pre-plant soil fumigation with TELONE™ by Teleos as the foundation of their nematode management programs. By reducing nematode pressure before planting, TELONE™ helps create a protective zone for developing roots—supporting stronger plant establishment, improved crop quality, and greater yield potential.

In root crops especially, strong starts belowground make all the difference. Remember, there's no coming back from a poor start!