By Clint Thompson First Helene, then Milton. Mother Nature’s 1-2 punch of hurricanes took different paths in impacting the Southeast this fall. Instead of making their way across the Atlantic, those two major hurricanes originated in the western Caribbean. It did not take long for them to hit the Gulf of Mexico and impact southeastern states; Helene in North Florida, …
Drought Monitor: Alabama Still Mostly Dry
Drought-like conditions remain prevalent across most of Alabama, while abnormally dry conditions are observed in Southeast Georgia. This is according to the most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Abnormally dry and moderately dry conditions comprise most of Alabama, except for an area located along the Alabama-Georgia border. Moderate conditions are observed in Southwest Alabama, starting in Mobile and …
Alabama Extension Specialist: Potential for Neopestalotiopsis is Having Severe Impact
By Clint Thompson The threat of neopestalotiopsis on strawberry plants in the Southeast is having a “severe impact on the industry,” according to Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University. “A lot of nursery owners have opted either to not sell plants or are advising the growers that they’re taking the …
Weather Conditions Remain a Key Factor in Neopestalotiopsis’ Impact in Strawberries
By Clint Thompson Alabama strawberry producers are at greater risk than ever of planting a crop impacted by Neopestalotiopsis. But Ed Sikora, professor and Extension plant pathologist in the department of entomology and plant pathology at Auburn University, contends that the weather next spring will be an ‘X’ factor in determining the disease’s impact on the state’s crop. “I think …
AFVGA Conference Bigger Next Year
By Clint Thompson The Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association is going bigger with next year’s annual conference and trade show, scheduled for Feb. 5-7, 2025, at the Lodge at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Blake Thaxton, executive director of the Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA), discusses the event which will cater to more vendors this …
Extended Dry Period Impacted Alabama Citrus
By Clint Thompson This year’s citrus crop in Southwest Alabama is nearing ready to be harvested. According to Jacob Kelley, regional Extension agent in Southwest Alabama, the production was impacted from the prolonged dry period in the area this summer. “Citrus is looking pretty good. Disease pressure has been low. We’ll see what that looks like here in a couple …
AFVGA Executive Director: Neopestalotiopsis Outbreak a Wake-Up Call
By Clint Thompson The recent revelation that Neopestalotiopsis has infected strawberry plug plants originating from nurseries in Prince Edward Island will impact Alabama producers. Blake Thaxton, executive director of the Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA), has heard various reports of the disease for the past several weeks. “When the plug growers that are here started receiving tips, all …
Updated Drought Conditions Across Southeast
The latest release of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows the recent rainfall has had minimal impact on the drought conditions in Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. Almost all of Alabama is experiencing some level of drought conditions; ranging from abnormally dry, starting in Mobile and Baldwin counties; all the way to extreme drought in parts of Jackson and Limestone counties …
Rains Mean Potential for Increased Disease Pressure in Southwest Alabama
By Clint Thompson Much-needed rainfall in Southwest Alabama means specialty crop growers should be wary of increased disease pressure in the region. Jacob Kelley, regional Extension agent in Southwest Alabama, cautions producers about the potential for disease buildup moving forward. “The drier weather was nice because of less disease impact. We’ve had a pretty clean year as far as diseases …
Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Projects Announced for Alabama
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) $495,000 to fund projects that strengthen Alabama’s specialty crop industry through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). The program will fund 12 projects to enhance competitiveness of specialty crop growers by using marketing, education and research for Alabama’s specialty crop …