By Clint Thompson
Last weekend’s plunging temperatures and dangerously low wind chills across the Southeast was another weather challenge for the region’s specialty crop producers. Now that the coldest weather so far this year has passed, growers must now take stock of any damage to their crops, says Blake Thaxton, Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) Executive Director.
“We’re first just praying for minimal damage. The North Alabama guys have already been in under pretty cold temperatures for the last week or so. The message (to growers) is to document any kind of damage you may have and make sure you report that to FSA or any insurance adjusters that you’re working with if you have coverage,” Thaxton said. “You want to make sure none of that slips by any timeframes but also use every tool in the toolbox to keep strawberries and whatever other crops that may be affected healthy and able to survive.”
Strawberries were the crop most susceptible to the frigid temperatures experienced Saturday night and into Sunday.
“It’s never great for our fruit crops to receive extremely cold temperatures but as long as it’s not later in the calendar when things are wanting to start blooming, that’s when we really see the damage to peaches, apples and those fruiting crops,” Thaxton said.
“Strawberries are probably the most vulnerable at this point and I know those guys have row covers and they’re covering their crops.”