According to the UGA Extension Viticulture Blog, Pam Knox, UGA Extension climatologist, said the nights of Oct. 2-4 could see temperatures in the 30s across the Southern Appalachians and into northern Georgia and Alabama. She said while most places won’t have temperatures that get down to freezing, areas that are frost pockets and prone to frost could freeze. A second …
Improved Weather Data at Growers’ Fingertips
Weather is one of the most important factors affecting crop growth and production. The Florida Automated Weather Network (FAWN), a University of Florida-operated service, was created to assist growers in making decisions related primarily to irrigation scheduling and cold protection. Currently, the FAWN network operates 42 stations located from Jay to Homestead that record and report every 15 minutes on …
Tropics Continue to be Active
According to the UGA Extension Climate and Agriculture blog, the tropics continue to be active with different systems expected to impact the Southeast this week. Pam Knox, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agricultural Climatologist, said the latest map shows several tropical centers of activity. Wilfred has declined to a tropical depression and should not be a threat to anyone. Alpha …
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 …
Vidalia Onion Growers Expected to Resume Planting Following Latest Storm
Georgia Vidalia onion growers will resume planting this year’s crop following rainfall from Hurricane-turned-Tropical Storm Sally this week, says Chris Tyson, University of Georgia Extension Area Onion Agent at the Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia. Tyson said the heavy rains that pummeled the Southeast on Wednesday did not impact his area as much in southeast Georgia. …
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 …
Georgia Pecan Producers Wary of Storm’s Impact
Georgia pecan farmers are once again vulnerable to a fall storm as Hurricane Sally slowly moves across the state this week. Its presence reminds growers of Hurricane Michael in 2018. While Hurricane Sally is not expected to bring similar damage, it still is a subtle reminder of the impact a storm can have on the state’s pecan crop, especially this …
Soon-to-be Hurricane Sally to Bring Lots of Rain to Georgia
The latest tropical system to impact the Southeast is expected to bring lots of rain to Georgia this week. Tropical Storm Sally is forecast to become a hurricane by tonight, according to Pam Knox, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agricultural Climatologist. In her blog, Knox said Tropical Storm Sally is bearing down on the Southeast and is expected to become …
Dry Temperatures Not Bad Thing for Georgia Hemp Producers
Hot and dry temperatures are not necessarily a bad thing for Georgia’s hemp producers, according to Tim Coolong, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension specialist. What the crop will not do well in is when the soil is wet. “Every single grower that I’ve met with is irrigating their hemp anyway. Actually, a little bit drier is probably fine, because if …
Potential La Nina Weather Event Could Impact Pecans Later This Season
An increasing likelihood of a La Nina weather event this fall could impact row crop farmers and specialty crop producers as well, said Pam Knox, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agricultural Climatologist. “When we do have a La Nina, we do tend to have a little bit drier than normal fall. Dryness in the fall isn’t necessarily bad. It’s helpful …