By Clint Thompson It is peak hurricane season, so specialty crop growers will be closely eyeing the weather forecasts with fall production season currently underway across the Southeast. While the remnants of Hurricane Hilary continue to impact California this week, all is currently quiet for the Southeast. But that could change in an instant, especially since three tropical storms popped …
Dry conditions spreading in Florida
Drought-like conditions still exist across some areas of the Southeast, according to the most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. The worst areas are still located along Southwest Florida, starting as far north as Hernando County and stretching southward to Lee and Collier counties. Extreme drought is observed in parts of Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota counties. A wide stretch …
Georgia’s Summer Weather: Mostly Wetter and Hotter
By Clint Thompson Summer is winding down across the Southeast. Georgia’s specialty crop producers will remember this year to be a mostly wet and hot summer, though, those conditions vary throughout the state. The increased rainfall caused tremendous scab pressure in some pecan orchards. The heat also reduced potential harvests for some of the watermelons produced. Pam Knox, University of …
Drought Update: Extreme Dry Conditions Observed in Southwest Florida
Drought conditions vary across the southern states. Alabama has a few counties that are abnormally dry. Much of West Georgia is abnormally dry, and the southwest corner of Florida is either abnormally dry, moderately dry, severely dry or extremely dry, according to the latest release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Only a few areas in Alabama are abnormally dry. These …
Drought Conditions Across Southeast Region
Abnormally dry conditions are starting to spread more across Georgia and Alabama, while dry areas persist along the west coast of Florida, according to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. A couple of areas in Georgia are abnormally dry. One is located along the Georgia-Alabama state line. It starts as far north as Floyd and Bartow counties and stretches …
Labor Relations Forum Scheduled for Sept. 6-8, 2023
Heat awareness and safety concerns continue to be a priority for agricultural employers and their employees. Producers can learn more about heat illness prevention during the 49th Annual Agricultural Labor Relations Forum, scheduled for Sept. 6-8, 2023 at the Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek. Attendees will learn of the hazards associated with heat illness, resources for employers, compliance and more. Speakers on this topic include …
UGA Ag Climatologist: Peak Hurricane Season Starts Mid-August
By Clint Thompson Specialty crop producers should be aware that the peak hurricane season is approximately a month away. Weather experts have already increased the number of hurricanes expected this year. The current warm waters felt in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean are reason for concern in the Southeast. Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist, discussed …
Parts of Southwest Florida Experience Dry Conditions
Drought conditions remain minimal across the Southeast. The only dry areas are located along the west coast of Florida and in northern Alabama, according to the most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. The only part of Florida that is experiencing dry conditions is located along the west coast in the southern part of the state. It starts as high …
North Alabama Rains Prompt Growers to Apply Fungicides
By Clint Thompson Recent rain events in North Alabama have prompted specialty crop producers to increase their fungicide applications. Eric Schavey, regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama, said rainfall in the region has been sporadic in some areas and non-existent in others. But the increased moisture in certain areas has forced growers to apply fungicide sprays to control potential diseases. …
Hurricane Development a Concern with Current Hot Ocean Waters
By Clint Thompson Hot ocean waters in the Gulf of Mexico are concerning for the Southeast. Parts of the Gulf have temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. They could spark hurricane development very quickly, and unfortunately, there is not much preparation time for specialty crop growers in Florida, Georgia and Alabama. Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist, says people …