By Ramdas Kanissery and Nathan Boyd Cold temperatures throughout Florida has vegetable growers concerned about the impact the weather is having on herbicide effectiveness. Low temperatures slow weed growth and affect the weed’s herbicide uptake, leading to ineffective weed control. Less of the herbicide reaches the target, providing a less successful weed control outcome. However, herbicide performance in response to …
Assistance Available for Farmers who Suffered Losses Due to Tropical Storm Fred
RALEIGH – The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) has opened the application period for the Agricultural Crop Loss Program for farmers that suffered losses due to Tropical Storm Fred. The program will cover losses of crops, feed, livestock, aquaculture and farm infrastructure for farmers in Avery, Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, Mitchell, McDowell, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga and …
Freeze Effect: Georgia Southern Highbush Blueberries Impacted
By Clint Thompson Most of Georgia’s blueberry crop survived sub-freezing temperatures two weeks ago. Only the early Southern Highbush varieties received damage, says Renee Holland, University of Georgia area Extension agent for commercial blueberries. “There’s different species that we grow in Georgia, the Southern Highbush blueberry and the Rabbiteye blueberry. The Rabbiteyes look fine. The flower buds are still tight. …
Freeze Impact on Florida Peaches
By Clint Thompson Count Florida’s peaches among those crops impacted by the sub-freezing temperatures almost two weeks ago. The difference in the producers who protected their crop and those who did not was unmistakable, says Jose Chaparro, associate professor in the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). “I can tell you that anybody north of central …
Drought Conditions in Certain Areas in Southeast
By Clint Thompson Abnormally dry conditions continue to be isolated to certain parts of the Southeast, according to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. The northern part of Florida is abnormally dry. These include counties as far west as Jefferson to Duval along the Atlantic coast and as far south as Marion and Citrus counties. Portions of a few …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Coastal Region Zack Snipes reports, “Now is the time for Lowcountry strawberry growers to give their plants the first shot of boron. Boron helps with both flower and fruit development. Growers can spray boron or inject via the drip …
Florida Blueberry Leader: We Were Lucky
By Clint Thompson Florida’s blueberry growers survived the worst freeze in recent memory. According to Brittany Lee, executive director of the Florida Blueberry Growers Association, producers were “lucky” following the sub-freezing temperatures on the morning of Jan. 30. “I think in Florida the damage was minimal, luckily. We had a lot of ice. But at least from my operation and …
‘Resilient’ Strawberry Growers Continue Season Following Freeze
The Florida Strawberry Growers Association (FSGA) was encouraged and confident following the coldest night of the winter season on Sunday, Jan. 30. Sue Harrell, director of marketing for FSGA, surveyed and videoed a field on the association’s Facebook page. The crop survived low temperatures in the high 20s. “We protected our crop with overhead irrigation by coating the plants with …
Emergency Declared for Florida Post-Freeze Harvest
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Feb. 2 issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency in many counties where citrus and other agricultural commodities were affected by a Jan. 28–30 freeze. It specifically gives state officials authority to relax restrictions on commercial vehicles to facilitate an emergency harvest. “The relaxation of the restrictions on commercial vehicles is necessary to …
Cold Weekend Helps with Pest Control
By Clint Thompson Sub-freezing temperatures this past weekend impacted specialty crop production across the Southeast. But they also helped producers with managing the pest populations, specifically whiteflies. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, discusses the significance that the cold temperatures had on the pest. “This is …