By Clint Thompson Weather forecasts are calling for hot and dry conditions for the foreseeable future. That could have a detrimental impact on pecan trees, believes Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist. “Especially with growers with young trees planted in the last year or two, they need to be really careful about making sure they’re watering these …
Updated: Alabama Pest Report
By Clint Thompson Certain insect pest populations are increasing across Alabama. According to the 2021 Alabama Pest Report, the moth counts for fall armyworms and corn earworms are high. Data taken from sticky wing pheromone traps from eight locations across the state show that the fall armyworms numbered 82, up from the previous report of 20. Corn earworms were at …
Alabama Agriculture Relief Program: Deadline is June 25
The deadline to submit an application for the Alabama Agriculture Relief Program (AARP) is Friday, June 25. The AARP provides USDA relief funds to growers who suffered losses due to Hurricane Michael. AARP will provide funds for necessary expenses related to the losses of pecans, horticulture crops and uninsured infrastructure damage related to the hurricane’s fallout when it impacted the …
Freeze Effect: Alabama’s Late Peach Crop Impacted by Cold Temperatures
By Clint Thompson Early peach varieties are expected to yield positive results for Alabama producers. The latter varieties are a different story, believes Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University. “We’ve got some early varieties that have come in already. We’re about to really get into full swing of the early …
Alabama Extension Offers Weed Management Tips for Fruit Producers
By Clint Thompson Weeds can be a problem no matter what vegetable or specialty crop a farmer is producing. They contend for nutrients and water and can present major problems for a producer once harvest time arrives. Steve Li, Alabama Extension weed specialist, offered tips for Alabama fruit producers in a recent Alabama Extension Commercial Horticulture Facebook webinar. Blueberries for …
Early Start for Fall Armyworms
By Clint Thompson It’s the calm before the storm for sweet corn producers in Alabama. The cool temperatures have suppressed much of the insect population so far in the growing season. However, that’s likely to change soon, says Katelyn Kesheimer, Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist “I did hear about some fall armyworms starting early this year. We may …
Georgia Farmer: Labor Shortage to Have Snowball Effect
By Clint Thompson Agriculture is not immune to the labor shortage epidemic in America. Farmers are struggling to obtain essential items that they once took for granted; pallets to ship the produce on; boxes to put the produce in; drivers to transport the produce. All can be attributed to the lack of a workforce, says South Georgia vegetable farmer Ricky …
South Florida Remains Abnormally Dry
Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows sufficient moisture for most of Florida. But South Florida is still lacking precipitation. It remains abnormally dry with Collier County still in a moderate drought. The dry conditions extend as far north as Hendry County, Palm Beach County and Martin County. Two specific areas in Georgia remain abnormally dry. In the northwest …
North Alabama Producers Weathering Late-Season Freeze, Rains
By Clint Thompson Better now than a month from now. That’s the mindset Alabama vegetable and specialty crop producers must have following a late-season frost that impacted the northern portion of the state two weeks ago. “(The frost) made people wait another week or so to set squash, some of their summer crops. That was one thing. We did see …
Active Insects: Alabama Producers Be Wary of Pests
Alabama vegetable and specialty crop producers be alert: Insect pests are active across the state. According to Alabama Extension, the state’s Extension System Vegetable IPM program has started monitoring insects across Alabama. A few locations are active right now. Included are moth counts to date from locations using sticky wing pheromone traps: Beet armyworm – 3; fall armyworm – 20; …