By Clint Thompson Hot temperatures combined with a prolonged drought created less-than-ideal conditions for Alabama hemp production this year. Katelyn Kesheimer, Auburn University assistant professor and Extension specialist, said it has been an eye-opening experience for growers. “What’s definitely been eye-opening for producers is how much time and energy goes into getting a successful plant; not even a crop, just …
Georgia Pecan Farmer: Pretty Good Looking Crop
By Clint Thompson Harvests for this year’s pecan crop is just a couple of months away. This year’s crop has exciting potential. But success will once again depend on the market prices that growers are able to receive, says farmer Randy Hudson. “We’ve got a pretty good looking crop. We’ve got some holes, though. Some older trees that had a …
Farm Legislation a Win for Alabama Agriculture
By Sabrina Halvorson Alabama’s 2022 state legislative season was a success for agriculture with the passage of key farm legislation bills. “I would say overall we were very happy with how it went. We had some priorities that we called the Farm Package here at the Alabama Farmers Federation, and all of that was successful,” said Blake Thaxton, a director …
Weather Conditions ‘Not Ideal’ for Alabama Hemp
By Clint Thompson Alabama hemp production wilted under the stress of prolonged dry conditions combined with extremely high temperatures. Katelyn Kesheimer, Auburn University assistant professor and Extension specialist, said the “timing wasn’t ideal.” Plants were being put into the ground right as weather conditions worsened across the region. “There’s been quite a bit of plant mortality, transplant shock, that sort …
Mid-Season Pest Activity in Alabama
Insect infestations vary among pests throughout Alabama, according to pest activity from monitoring traps by Alabama Extension. As of June 18, the mid-season pest activity lists beet armyworm moth numbers as doubling fall armyworms (FAW), which is normal in the state. Last year was abnormal with very high FAW activity. Beet armyworms are a threat to beans, beets, cabbage, corn, …
Alabama Diseases Update: What to Watch for
By Clint Thompson Alabama Extension reminds specialty crop producers that Alabama diseases are prevalent and widespread across the state. Ed Sikora, professor and Extension plant pathologist in the department of entomology and plant pathology at Auburn University, highlighted three Alabama diseases that growers should be wary of, especially during the current hot and dry conditions. “One is powdery mildew. I’m …
Lack of Rain, No Problem for Alabama Specialty Crops
By Clint Thompson It may have been a dry spring and early summer across the Southeast, but some specialty crops actually thrived under the drought-like conditions. Chip East, Alabama regional Extension agent, discussed the impact the lack of rainfall has had on his farmers’ specialty crops in East Alabama. “Strawberries were good. Blueberries and blackberries are irrigated, and they look …
Alabama Extension to Host High Tunnel Vegetable Workshop
Alabama Extension will host a high tunnel vegetable workshop on Wednesday, June 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The meeting will be held at Gibbons Farm, 1162 County Road 42, Prattville, Alabama 36067. Interested attendees will learn about high tunnel vegetable crop management as well as other topics like irrigation and fertility management, pest exclusion systems, insect monitoring and …
Alabama Extension to Host Strawberry Production Meeting
One of Alabama’s specialty crops will be the focus of an upcoming strawberry production meeting. The state’s growers are invited to attend. Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) will host a strawberry production meeting on Tuesday, June 14 in Jemison, Alabama. The meeting will start at 5 p.m. (est.) and conclude at 9 p.m. The meeting is designed specifically for producers …
Hot and Dry Conditions Impact Crops in Southwest Alabama
By Clint Thompson Specialty crop producers in Southwest Alabama have experienced the highs and lows of the extended drought this spring. Jacob Kelley, Alabama regional Extension agent, described the impact the prolonged dry period has had on his growers. “It had been really dry, which was good for a lot of our blueberry and fruit producers. A lot of my …