By Clint Thompson North Florida agricultural leaders are still assessing damage left by Hurricane Idalia last week. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) regional specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, provided an overview of what happened to the crops in the field and infrastructure on farms and in the different communities impacted by …
Strawberry Grower in Plant City Survives Idalia with Minimal Damage
By Clint Thompson Matt Parke’s anxiousness paid off this summer in preparing for the upcoming strawberry planting season. Instead of waiting to apply plastic, the farm manager of Parkesdale Farms in Plant City, Florida, decided to apply it early. Since that part of the state avoided the brunt of Hurricane Idalia last week, the move paid off and all the …
Idalia Aftermath: Southeast Georgia Pecan Crop Heavily Impacted
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s pecan producers continue to assess what’s left of their crop in the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia last week. Those in Southeast Georgia were especially devastated by the storm that packed high winds and heavy rainfall. It led to a substantial amount of this year’s crop gone, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist. “I …
Hurricane Idalia’s Impact on Specialty Crops
By Maegan Beatty What started as a tropical storm, Hurricane Idalia hit landfall as a Category 3 hurricane on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Idalia made landfall this past Wednesday morning near Keaton Beach, which is about 75 miles southwest of Tallahassee. Idalia left hundreds of thousands of people without power in Florida and Georgia. The storm has had many effects on …
Citrus Escapes Significant Damage form Idalia
The cold-hardy citrus region endured another test of Mother Nature on Wednesday with Hurricane Idalia moving through the Southeast. One industry expert is optimistic that the area’s trees survived this latest challenge. “I am happy to report that citrus in Georgia appears to have fared very well,” said grower Lindy Savelle, president of the Georgia Citrus Association and member of the Georgia Citrus Commission. …
Early Reports: Citrus Fared Well in Idalia
The cold-hardy citrus region endured another test of Mother Nature on Wednesday with Hurricane Idalia moving through the Southeast. One industry expert is optimistic that the area’s trees survived this latest challenge. “I am happy to report that citrus in Georgia appears to have fared very well,” said grower Lindy Savelle, president of the Georgia Citrus Association and member of the Georgia Citrus Commission. …
Warm Gulf Waters Fuel for Idalia
By Clint Thompson Idalia continues to churn towards the Southeast. The warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico are helping what could be a major hurricane by the time it makes landfall in Florida, develop in its path to the state’s west coast. Pam Knox, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension agricultural climatologist, discussed the warmer gulf temperatures and their impact …
Hurricane Idalia’s Possible Impact on Florida Strawberry Growers
By Clint Thompson The storm known as Idalia will become a hurricane by the time it makes landfall in Florida this week. That’s not good news for the region’s strawberry growers already preparing for the upcoming season. Producers are already laying plastic with expectations of planting their crop in September. A storm, with potential to reach Category 3 status, could …
Dry Conditions Expanding Across Southeast
Dry conditions are becoming more widespread across the Southeast. In some areas of the region, the dry weather is classified as a moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The worst conditions are observed along the Florida Panhandle. A moderate drought starts in Escambia County and stretches Liberty and Franklin counties. Abnormal drought conditions continue eastward to Jefferson County. Dry …
Drought Monitor: Dry Conditions Expanding Across Southeast
Dry conditions are becoming more widespread across the Southeast. In some areas of the region, the dry weather is classified as a moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The worst conditions are observed along the Florida Panhandle. A moderate drought starts in Escambia County and stretches Liberty and Franklin counties. Abnormal drought conditions continue eastward to Jefferson County. …