Hemp production in Alabama had its challenges in 2020. From ant problems to plant diseases, hemp producers struggled to produce a crop. Kassie Conner, an Alabama Extension specialist II, discussed some of the obstacles farmers faced last year during an Alabama Extension Commercial Horticulture Facebook Live Q&A session on Friday. “I think probably the main disease we saw was southern …
Alabama Peaches Progressing Following Recent Freeze
Alabama peaches are progressing but there was some damage from a freeze in February, said Doug Chapman, Alabama Extension agent for Commercial Horticulture in North Alabama. “We’re in full bloom right now, maybe in central and south Alabama, a little post bloom. I doubt there’s any shucks split just yet in central Alabama,” Chapman said. “The freeze hurt us to …
New Normal? Vegetable, Fruit Sales Up Amid Pandemic
Increased food consumption at home amid COVID-19 means potentially more sales of fresh fruits and vegetables for Alabama producers, says Wendiam Sawadgo, Alabama Extension economist. “There was about a 50% increase in consumption at home in (last) March compared to before the pandemic. That sort of tapered off a little bit. But it’s still much higher than it was before,” …
Ant Control: Alabama Extension Encourages Farmers to Protect Crop
Vegetable crops are vulnerable to ant pressure this time of year. Alabama Extension encourages vegetable producers to implement management tactics as they begin planting this year’s crops. According to Alabama Extension, fire ants can protect aphids and other honeydew producers on vegetables, which makes their effects worse on the plants. Fire ants can also interfere with natural enemies. Ultimately, though, …
Protecting Your Investment: Trap Cropping a Unique Insect Management Strategy
Trap cropping is an insect management strategy that saves farmers time and money and protects the ecosystem, specifically beneficial insects, from overuse of pesticides. For example, using sorghum in a field alongside tomatoes protects the tomato crop from leaf-footed bugs. It’s a unique tactic of sacrificing one crop for the safety and protection of the money-making crop, says Ayanava Majumdar, …
Good Read: Vegetable Crop Handbook Important for Alabama Producers
Alabama Extension encourages its producers to utilize the 2021 Southeastern U.S. Vegetable Crop Handbook during this year’s production season. Not only does it provide expertise from specialists from 12 land-grant universities, including Auburn University, it provides information pertaining to various disciplines. These include entomology, agricultural engineering, vegetable production, soil science, plant pathology, postharvest physiology and weed science. Four Alabama Extension …
H.E.M.P. Webinars: Alabama Extension Offering Hemp Production Education
Alabama Extension is ensuring hemp producers have all the relevant data throughout the season in hopes they’ll experience a more profitable season in 2021. The Alabama Extension H.E.M.P. (Hemp Education and Management Program) webinar series is a one-hour webinar held twice monthly. It provides information on various topics pertaining to hemp production. The next meeting will be held Wednesday at …
QLA Deadline: Pecan Producers Reminded of April 9 Date
Pecan producers still recovering from Hurricane Michael have three weeks to apply for the Quality Loss Adjustment (QLA) Program. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s decision to extend the deadline from March 5 to April 9 allows farmers extra time to apply for a program that is assisting producers who suffered crop quality losses due to qualifying natural disasters in the …
Record Keeping: Producers Encouraged to Keep Track of Crops’ Productivity
Proper record keeping is a management practice that all farmers need to be utilizing. It can save producers time and money when deciding what to grow for the upcoming season. Jessie Boswell, Alabama Regional Extension agent, believes producers will benefit financially if they keep annual records of how productive their crops are. This is especially true for growers who produce …
What to Grow? Tomato Variety Selection Important Decision for Producers
The most important decision farmers can make when growing tomatoes in Alabama is variety selection. Joe Kemble, Alabama Extension vegetable specialist, insists that growers understand what varieties grow well in Alabama before they plant this spring. “Easily the most important decision you can make is picking which varieties to grow. You can buy local transplants. It’s always great when you …