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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 …
By Clint Thompson Tailgating treats and insightful information highlighted Thursday’s Florida Ag Expo event. Specialty crop farmers and industry leaders flocked to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma, Florida. Seminar sessions and field tours provided attendees valuable insight into how they can remain sustainable in crop production …
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) remains optimistic that a new farm bill will be in place sooner rather than later. Even amid the delays with the election of a new Speaker of the House, Chris Butts, executive vice president of the GFVGA believes Mike Johnson’s election as the new speaker will help expedite the …
By Frank Giles Last month, we celebrated National Farmers’ Day. The day was recognized with the expected expressions of gratitude on social media and other platforms. But I also noted that a few used the day to raise the topic of the aging population of growers. The graying of the audience (myself included) doesn’t go unnoticed at the farm meetings …
Georgia pecan producers will remain frustrated at the current market prices being offered for this year’s crop. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service, a few Desirable varieties, with a nut count of 45 to 46 and 53% meat yield, sold for about $1.85 per pound. Elliotts, with a nut count of 71 to 74 and 50% …
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, …
Due to increased fire risk, the North Carolina (N.C.) Forest Service has issued a ban on all open burning and has canceled all burning permits for Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Graham, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, McDowell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain and Transylvania counties effective 5 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 5, until further notice. “Several counties in Western North Carolina are currently in …
Corn growers in southern Florida should be wary that Southern corn leaf blight disease is on the rise, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. The disease is starting to appear in the Everglades Agricultural Area. Incidences are low but increasing in corn. Low levels of southern corn leaf blight were reported in a few fields in Southwest …
A U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) study concludes organic strawberry production has helped increase domestic production over the past two decades. Most organic strawberries are produced in California, though Florida has experienced increased production in recent years. Approximately 680 organic acres were produced in Florida in 2019, compared to just 14 in 2008. From 2008 to …
By Clint Thompson Tomato harvests are well under way across Florida. One industry expert likes the quality and quantity of this year’s fall crop. Bob Spencer, president of West Coast Tomato in Palmetto, Florida, discussed the outlook facing Florida growers. “We started up about a week and a half, two weeks ago. We’ve had decent yields for the fall; I …
