By Ida Vandamme Organic products have become mainstream as more people want to be aware of production practices, ingredients and inputs into their food and household items. Given the current supply-chain issues and labor shortages, many people also are turning to local businesses and even starting businesses of their own. Here are some important considerations when thinking about starting and/or …
Rains Alleviate Some of Dry Conditions in Southeast
By Clint Thompson Recent rains alleviated some of the dry conditions being felt across the Southeast region, especially in Georgia and Alabama, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Only a small part of North Georgia remains abnormally dry, including Union County, Fanning County, Gilmer County, Dawson County, Towns County and Lumpkin County. Only a couple of counties in South Georgia …
Blooming Problem: Warmer Temps Leading to Early Blueberry Blooms
By Clint Thompson Warmer temperatures in previous months led to earlier blooms for blueberry plants in the Southeast. That’s not good news for farmers, says Georgia producer Russ Goodman, co-owner of Cogdell Berry Farm in Clinch and Lanier counties. “We’ve got a lot more bloom right now than we would want I can tell you that. It’s not a good …
Diminished Pecan Crop in Southeast Alabama
By Clint Thompson Southeast Alabama may be a small sample size of pecan production in the state, but its lower-than-normal crop epitomizes what growers are feeling statewide – the crop was diminished substantially this season. “It was a tough year,” said Neil Kelly, Alabama Regional Extension agent in Southeast Alabama. “Overall production is going to be real light. It’s also …
Georgia Pecan Estimate: Diminished Crop Compared to 2020
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s final pecan total this season is estimated to be less than half of its total in 2020. While that’s not a surprise to growers and industry leaders, it’s still a tough pill to swallow following last year’s 142 million pounds of production. “I don’t think it’s going to be much over 50 million pounds, if that,” …
Strawberry Disease Alert: Florida Growers Be on the Lookout
By Clint Thompson Florida’s strawberry producers have more than just Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot to worry about from a disease management standpoint. Natalia Peres, professor of plant pathology at the University of Florida/ Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, highlights a couple of additional diseases that growers need to be wary of as production continues this year. “There’s some Phytophthora out …
Florida Snap Bean Conference Postponed
The Florida Snap Bean Conference, scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 11, has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic and strict Palm Beach County regulations. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) announced the conference will be rescheduled towards the end of the growing season to provide updates on this year’s research trials. UF/IFAS hopes to schedule a …
Challenges of Florida Strawberry Production
By Clint Thompson Strawberry production in Florida is not for the faint of heart. So many challenges exist that growers must overcome to remain sustainable. Just ask Florida farmer Dustin Grooms. “If you’ve got a berry field, you’ve got a problem,” Grooms said. Grooms and other farmers are in the middle of another strawberry season. Production has increased some this …
South Carolina Hemp Applications Available Through Feb. 28
According to The South Carolina Grower, hemp applications are available for interested growers through Feb. 28. Applications must be completed online here. Processor and handler permit applications are also available on the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) Hemp Farming Program website. The SCDA announced that grower permit fees are reduced from $1,000 to $500. The application fee is $100. …
Clemson Drip Fertigation Calculator: More Efficient Method for Farmers
By Clint Thompson The Clemson Center Pivot Fertigation Calculator provides South Carolina’s specialty crop producers a more efficient way to inject fertilizer through drip irrigation. The tool, released in late 2020, allows growers to make timely decisions in the field. All they need is the smart phone application (app), says Zack Snipes, Clemson Extension Area Horticulture Agent and Assistant Program …