Whiteflies Moving Northward in Alabama

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Whiteflies are slowly migrating north through Alabama. It’s a concern for vegetable growers who are not used to managing the pest and now must implement control measures to prevent impact, especially with the viruses they can vector. Andre da Silva, Extension specialist and associate professor of horticulture at Auburn University, highlighted the pest during his presentation at …

UGA Climatologist: Winter Storm Generational Event in Southeast

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Florida, Georgia

By Clint Thompson The cold temperatures and historic snowfall recorded throughout the Southeast last week was a generational event, according to Pam Knox, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension agricultural climatologist. “Clearly, we don’t get these every day and it’s probably a good thing. Some of the locations set daily records for snowfall, so for them it was unusual,” Knox said. …

Frigid Temps, Historic Snow Impact Strawberries

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Frigid temperatures and unexpected snow last week in the Southeast impacted specialty crops. Strawberry producers in Alabama, Florida and Georgia felt the sting of the winter storm. That included Alabama farmer Todd Cassenbaum. He resides in Lillian, Alabama, located just across from Pensacola, Florida, where historic snow amounts were recorded. Eight inches of snow fell on his …

Alabama Extension Set to Host 2025 Spray Drone End-User Conference

Clint ThompsonAlabama

Alabama Cooperating Extension is set to host its third annual Spray Drone End-User Conference, scheduled for March 23-26 at the Mobile Convention Center in Mobile, Alabama. Online registration is available on the Alabama Extension website at www.aces.edu/go/DroneConference. There are two registration fees based on attendance preferences. Registration for in-person attendance is $400 but will increase to $500 after Jan. 31. …

Alabama Pecan Leader: We Have to Market Ourselves Better

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Alabama pecan growers need to think outside the box in the future when it comes to marketing their product. At least that’s the belief shared by Bryan Wilkins, Auburn University research associate. “The guys that were doing more retail than wholesale, they’ve done okay. I honestly think that’s the trend that this Southeast market is going to …

Alabama Chill Hours on Par With 2024

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Increased cold temperatures in recent weeks have meant increased chill hours for Alabama’s peach producers. Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University, provided an update on how much chill hours have been accumulated, especially amid the current winter storm impacting the Southeast. “It depends on what model you’re …

Row Covers Important Tactic for Alabama Strawberry Growers Next Week

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Next week’s potential stretch of prolonged cold temperatures means Alabama strawberry growers need to protect this year’s crop. That means the use of row covers to protect against temperatures that are expected to drop well below freezing for multiple days, says Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University. …

Alabama Pecan Season: High Volume, Low Prices

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Alabama pecan growers have nearly concluded harvesting this year’s crop. The theme for this season mirrors that in neighboring Georgia, high production with low market prices. Bryan Wilkins, Auburn University research associate, explains this year’s pecan season. “As far as I know everybody is done. They’re picking up their last ones. It was a pretty good year. …

AFVGA Conference and Trade Show Registration Ends Jan. 19

Clint ThompsonAlabama

Regular registration remains open for those interested in attending this year’s Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) Annual Conference and Trade Show. This year’s event will be held on Feb. 5-7 at The Lodge at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Early bird registration ended on Jan. 1, but regular registration is currently underway and will continue until …

Drought Monitor Update: Conditions Vary in Southeast Region

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Drought

Drought conditions continue to vary among states in the Southeast. Most of central and northern Alabama is experiencing dry conditions, while Florida is mostly dry. Georgia’s dry conditions continue to dissipate with most of the drought being observed in the southwest and southeast areas of the state. This is according to the most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. …