By Clint Thompson Hurricane Ian’s impact on South Carolina was felt worse in counties along the Atlantic Coast, though the storm provided the state with much needed rainfall. Bruce McLean, Clemson Extension area commercial horticulture agent in the Pee Dee Region, said specialty crop growers were fortunate there was not any worse damage than what occurred. “For the most part …
H-2A Employer Flexibilities Due to Hurricane Ian
This information was sourced from administrator Brian Pasternak with Office of Foreign Labor Certification, Employment and Training Administration (ETA), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). DOL QUESTION: Can workers perform debris removal and other clean-up duties resulting from a hurricane even where these duties were not disclosed in the H-2A job order? ANSWER: Yes. H-2A workers and domestic workers employed in …
Strawberry Spotlight: Update on Florida Pearl™ Pineberry
By Vance M. Whitaker The patented Florida Pearl™ (FL 16.78-109) pineberry is a newcomer on the U.S. berry market in the last two years. It has appeared in stores under multiple brand names, including Pinkaboo and Berry De Blanc. ABOUT THE BERRYPearl has white flesh inside and out, with a pink blush on the outside when ripe. The seeds also …
What’s Happening? Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Coastal Region Rob Last reports, “We received some welcomed rainfall during last weekend’s storm system; amounts were variable across the area, with an inch being the most common. The precipitation allowed for bed formation operations to continue …
Importance of Water for Pecan Growers Amid Current Dry Conditions
By Clint Thompson Hurricane Ian’s path around Georgia spared the state’s pecan producers from potentially devastating wind speeds. But it also failed to bring much needed moisture to a region desperately needing some rainfall. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan specialist, noted in the UGA Pecan Extension Blog that the current dry period could be detrimental to the …
Drought Expanding in Southeast
By Clint Thompson Abnormally dry conditions are expanding across the Southeast, especially in southern Alabama, northern Georgia and Florida Panhandle, according to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Alabama’s dry conditions range from abnormally dry to moderately dry and are largely concentrated to the southern half of the state, especially in southeast Alabama in counties like Covington, Geneva, Butler, …
Forecast Luncheon to Become Post-Hurricane Meeting
Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM) announced that an Oct. 12 event in Hardee County originally scheduled as the initial crop forecast luncheon will now be a post-Hurricane Ian information meeting. Lunch will still be provided. The meeting, open to all Florida citrus growers, will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the Putnam Ranch, 8290 Martin Lane, Zolfo Springs. FCM asks that …
Blueberry Management Tips Following Hurricane
By Clint Thompson Hurricane Ian had varying effects on Florida’s blueberry acres. Some plants dodged the high winds and excessive rainfall while others were not as fortunate. Post-hurricane management is important for growers in preserving their crop for the following season. Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry Extension coordinator, provides producers tips on …
Florida Farm Bureau Helping Growers in Ian’s Aftermath
Florida Farm Bureau is working with its members to assess the damage to farmers and ranchers across the state to determine their needs following Hurricane Ian last week. Farmers and ranchers are facing widespread destruction of crops, buildings, fencing and other property loss due to substantial wind and water damage from the major storm. Southwest Florida farm families face weeks …
Hurricane Ian Citrus Crop Losses Continue to Rise
A week before Hurricane Ian tore across Florida, Glenn Beck of Beck Bros. Citrus reported to AgNet Media that there were hopeful signs for the coming season. Fruit in his better-looking groves were in the size range that tends to hold on trees until harvest. Beck, and his brother Mark, own and manage citrus groves across the state. He says …