The Southeast remains dry, and the latest release of the U.S. Drought Monitor reflects the severity of the lingering drought that spans a couple of months. Most of Alabama is either severely dry or extremely dry. The worst conditions are isolated to the southern part of the state along the Alabama-Florida state line, and in northern Alabama, starting in Tuscaloosa …
Chilling Effect: Rapid Temperature Drop’s Impact on Peach Trees
By Clint Thompson The lack of acclimation period between warm and extreme cold temperatures could detrimentally impact peach trees in the Southeast. Instead of temperatures gradually dropping over a period of time, they can drop rapidly over a period of just a couple of days. Last week was a perfect example. According to the University of Georgia (UGA) Weather Network, …
Drought Monitor: Extreme Drought Conditions Prevalent Across Southeast
Extreme drought is spreading across areas of the Southeast, specifically in Florida, Georgia and Alabama, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Extreme drought conditions are being observed in North Alabama and South Alabama. Conditions are seen in Southwest Alabama in Washington and Mobile counties and spreading eastward to parts of Covington and Geneva counties along the Alabama-Florida state line. Conditions …
Current Dry Period Impacting Cover Crop Establishment
By Clint Thompson Drought-like conditions continue to plague the Southeast region. That has made establishing cover crops a challenge for specialty crop producers hoping to utilize the management strategy. Extended periods of dry weather in the fall can impact cover crops being produced, according to Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. …
Hurricane Michael: Five Years Later
By Clint Thompson Five years ago, Hurricane Michael devastated the Southeast and altered the agricultural landscape, especially in Georgia. Five years later, specialty crop producers are still coping with the devastation left by the Category 5 storm. “I think one of the untold stories about Hurricane Michael is how much it affected agriculture; the total amount of dollar damage from …
Growers Hope for a Better Season in 2024
By Leonard Park The Florida blueberry season that began in the summer of 2022 culminated in one of the smallest spring harvests in years. The main culprit was Hurricane Ian. However, the lack of chill hours in December, followed by two harsh cold snaps over the holidays, affected other regions with damaged flower buds and crop delays. For most growers, …
Drought Impact: Northeast Florida Experiencing Dry Conditions
By Clint Thompson The lingering drought has spread across the Southeast and impacted various parts of Florida, specifically in the northeast part of the state. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, discusses the impact the dry weather is having in his area. “We’re very dry, and …
Drought Impact: Northeast Florida Experiencing Dry Conditions
By Clint Thompson The lingering drought has spread across the Southeast and impacted various parts of Florida, specifically in the northeast part of the state. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, discusses the impact the dry weather is having in his area. “We’re very dry, and …
Hurricane Season Not Over: Future Storms Could Develop in Gulf
By Clint Thompson Hurricane peak season has come and gone, but that does not mean future storms this fall are out of the question. In fact, specialty crop growers should be mindful that potential storms are now more likely to originate in the Gulf Mexico this time of year, which would not provide ample time for producers in Florida, Georgia …
Drought Spreading Across Southeast
By Clint Thompson Drought-like conditions continue to spread across the Southeast, especially in Alabama, Florida and Georgia, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. All but a small portion of Alabama is experiencing dry conditions. They range in severity, from extreme drought in Mobile, Baldwin, Escambia, Conecuh and Monrore counties in Southwest Alabama, to abnormally dry conditions in the central and …