With some certainty, Georgia pecan producers are expecting a bumper crop this year. What remains uncertain is the market price farmers will receive at harvest. As growers are currently harvesting Pawnees with other varieties expected to be harvested next month, there is still an unpredictability regarding the pecan market, according to Phil Croft, manager of the Hudson Pecan Company. “Right …
Cover Crops Helpful for Alabama Hemp Producers
Cover crops are important tools and have various advantages for farmers transitioning from one season to the next. Eric Schavey, Alabama Regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama, encourages hemp producers to plant their cover crops now before it’s too late in the season. “If you get into November, you’re a little late. Your cereal rye will do a little better …
UGA Vegetable Entomologist More Optimistic About Whiteflies Following Rain, Cooler Temperatures
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist Stormy Sparks is more optimistic about the ongoing whitefly problem that farmers are facing this fall – especially more than what he was feeling two weeks ago. His reason for optimism? Remnants from a hurricane and a drop in temperatures. Remnants from Hurricane Sally and cooler weather this week should help knock back …
Trap Cropping Effective in Reducing Unwanted Insect Populations
Ayanava Majumdar, Extension Professor in Entomology and Plant Pathology at Auburn University, touts trap cropping as being effective in controlling unwanted insect pests while also significantly reducing insecticide applications. “Not all insects will trap crop work. Trap crop works for insects that typically stay in clusters or have a strong border effect. For example, our sucking insect pests like the …
Sally’s Impact on Alabama, Georgia Pecan Production
Georgia pecan farmers escaped serious damage last week following Hurricane Sally’s trek through the Southeast. Alabama producers were not so lucky, however. University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells said Baldwin County, the heart of Alabama’s pecan production, was one of the counties hit hardest by Sally’s Category Two Hurricane status. According to the UGA Extension pecan blog, Wells …
Alabama Farmers Federation Surveying Producers
The Alabama Farmers Federation is requesting help from producers hit hard this week by Hurricane Sally. The organization has put together a storm damage survey for growers impacted by the Category 2 hurricane. In the storm damage survey, it says while it is important to report losses in the survey, it is also important to report damage to your local …
Floodwaters Impact Southeast Crops
Farmers and homeowners across parts of Florida, Alabama and Georgia felt the wrath of Hurricane-turned-Tropical Storm Sally this week. High winds and massive floods knocked out electricity for residents and impacted farmers’ crops. Kristin Woods, Alabama Regional Extension agent, who specializes in commercial horticulture and food safety, reminds growers about the ramifications of floodwaters that come in contact with edible …
Hurricane Sally Another Challenge for Alabama Hemp Producers
Another week, another challenge for Alabama’s hemp producers. The excessive rainfall that some areas in the state experienced because of Hurricane Sally, should impact the hemp crop, according to Katelyn Kesheimer, Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist. “The issue is there’s that 15-day testing window. So, you have to get an Ag inspector to come take a sample of …
North Alabama Watermelons Winding Down
Watermelon season is winding down in Alabama this week. Just like its southern counterparts, north Alabama producers enjoyed a successful season, according Eric Schavey, Alabama Regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama “Overall, watermelons in our area, in Northeast Alabama was good,” said Schavey, who serves Blount County, Cherokee County, Cullman County, DeKalb County, Etowah County, Jackson County, Madison County and …
Row Covers Protect Strawberries and Increase Yields?
Row Covers in strawberry fields can protect the crop from cold temperatures, fierce winds, devastating frost and persistent wildlife. But it can also potentially increase yields, according Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University. In research conducted this past year at the Wiregrass Research and Extension Center in Headland, Alabama, Vinson …