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By Clint Thompson The looming El Niño weather pattern means a decreased chance for tropical systems to develop during the summer and fall. But all it takes is one to have an impact, explains James Spann, chief meteorologist at the Alabama Weather Network. “The consensus is very high that we are going into an El Niño phase. Traditionally, in an …
Exceptional drought conditions have all but gone away in South Georgia, while they have also been drastically reduced in North Florida. This is according to the June 4 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Georgia Exceptional drought in Georgia has been reduced to the southernmost areas in Lowndes and Echols counties. The surrounding Southeast Georgia area is still observing extreme …
By Frank Giles The headlines have been full of stories in recent months about fraud in various things like daycare services and Medicaid. It shines a light on a huge problem that needs to be addressed and corrected, especially with a U.S. national debt expected to surpass $40 trillion this year. The media attention has caused some conversations to zoom …
By Clint Thompson Tomato research at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus should help growers determine if crop production in hotter parts of the year is a feasible alternative. Ted McAvoy, University of Georgia Extension vegetable specialist, is studying the heat effects on tomatoes that are planted two weeks to a month later than they normally would. “We’re not planting …
By Clint Thompson Fusarium wilt disease in watermelon fields causes Southeast growers to consider alternative management tactics to overcome this yearly challenge. Grafted plants is one of those options, though, it is not intended for all producers, explains University of Georgia Extension Vegetable Disease Specialist Bhabesh Dutta. “This is not for everybody, and this is not for every situation,” Dutta …
The Florida Legislature has approved a budget and now wait for Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature before the start of the next fiscal year beginning July 1. As constructed, the budget would provide funding for multiple programs that would benefit the state’s farmers. It was announced that the state legislature approved a $114.5 billion budget following the regular session and special …
Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) regional specialized Extension agent for commercial vegetable crops, has reported downy mildew has shown up in the Suwannee Valley region of North Florida this week. “It was seen in small areas at the end of last week but as downy mildew can do, it spread rapidly over the …
By Clint Thompson Downy mildew’s confirmation in North Florida watermelons was later than normal this year. But it still could impact certain watermelon fields in the Suwanee Valley Region. Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, talks more about the disease in an interview with AgNet Media. “Some (farmers) are, you know, maybe one harvest away …
By Clint Thompson The prolonged drought impacting the Southeast region has quickly become a weather event of the past. “Looks like we’re getting back into that regular summertime pattern where it’s like it’s been the last couple of years. June gets here and it starts raining so much that it gets hard to keep (pecans) sprayed,” said Lenny Wells, University …
By Clint Thompson Poor fruit set in tomatoes is a bi-product of the heat and humidity felt across Alabama this time of year; when daytime temperatures exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit (F) or nighttime temperatures exceed 70 F. Wade Hummer, Alabama Extension agent, discussed poor fruit set during a webinar on Facebook. “Once you start seeing the nighttime temps above 70 …
