Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Nov. 15 announced plans for additional emergency relief and pandemic assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA is preparing to roll out the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) Phase Two as well as the new Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program (PARP). The two programs help offset crop and revenue losses for growers. USDA is sharing early information to help …
Drought Continues Across Southeast
By Clint Thompson Drought-like conditions have worsened in certain areas of the Southeast, especially in north Georgia, south Alabama and northwest Florida, according to last Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. All of Alabama is either abnormally dry, moderately dry or severely dry, except for a small area of counties located along the Alabama-Georgia state line; specifically, Lee, Russell …
Thinking Outside the Box: Citrus Growers Need to Diversify to Remain Sustainable
If cold-hardy citrus growers diversified their crops and not put all of their eggs in the satsuma basket, it would provide them a better chance at long-term sustainability. It would allow producers an opportunity to combat the negative national stigma concerning citrus juices, says Jude Grosser, a professor of plant cell genetics at the University of Florida Institute of Food …
Melon Producers Plan Early to Protect Against Gummy Stem Blight
It is never too early for watermelon producers in the Southeast to start thinking about management options for gummy stem blight disease. As Clemson Extension vegetable pathologist Tony Keinath puts it, “Early is on time.” He reminded growers in The South Carolina Grower that they should allow time to purchase the right fungicides in case of potential shortages. What Worked? …
Alabama Extension to Host Nutrient Management Meeting
Alabama Extension will host a nutrient management meeting, focusing on farmers’ concerns about the rising fertilizer prices. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Autauga County Extension Office in Autaugaville, Alabama. Rishi Prasad, Alabama Extension specialist and assistant professor in Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences at Auburn University, said the …
It Costs How Much? Thanksgiving Dinner Expenses Up 20%
Thanksgiving remains an important time for many Americans. The cost of the meal this year is also top of mind. American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 37th annual survey provides a snapshot of the average cost of this season’s classic Thanksgiving feast for 10, which is $64.05 or less than $6.50 per person. This is a $10.74 or 20% increase from …
OPINION: Shipping Law Under Scrutiny Amid Supply-Chain Struggles
In a time when the world is trying to emerge from a global pandemic and eyes the prospect of an energy and food crisis, policies should encourage increasing productivity and the flow of goods. But as the old saying goes, it takes time to turn around a ship. Speaking of ships, have you ever heard of the Jones Act? The …
Post-Ian Fertilizer Exemption Allowed
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) issued an emergency rule on Monday allowing enrolled producers to apply a replacement fertilizer to reestablish crops impacted by Hurricane Ian without fear of being out of compliance with their respective Best Management Practices (BMP) manuals. FDACS recommends producers conduct soil testing to confirm the need for replacement fertilizer prior to …
N.C. Producers Should Be Wary of Self-Diagnosing Strawberry Diseases
By Clint Thompson Disease diagnosis is better left to the experts. North Carolina strawberry producers who are concerned their crop is infected with crown rots should be wary about diagnosing the disease themselves. Different diseases require specific chemical treatments, says Bill Cline, North Carolina (N.C.) State Extension specialist in small fruits production. Concerned growers should submit their samples to the …
FDACS Issues Fertilizer Application Exemption
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) issued an emergency rule on Monday allowing enrolled producers to apply a replacement fertilizer to reestablish crops impacted by Hurricane Ian without fear of being out of compliance with their respective Best Management Practices (BMP) manuals. FDACS recommends producers conduct soil testing to confirm the need for replacement fertilizer prior to …