Posted by Victoria Dee AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – Whether you’re an amateur gardener or seasoned agriculturalist, there is no denying that pests can sometimes sneak in and ruin a crop. These pests may appear in the form of insects, weeds or plant diseases — and all can be detrimental. Current and former Alabama Cooperative Extension System entomologists, weed scientists, plant …
Poor Pecan Season Worse for Some Growers
A difficult pecan season was challenging for all and painful for a few. Some farmers compensated for the extremely low prices that lingered all season with bountiful harvests. However, some producers were not as fortunate. They either had a short crop or marginal crop that were amplified by some of the lowest prices producers haven’t experienced in decades. Georgia pecan …
Georgia Producers Adjust to Unpredictable Winter Weather
A projected La Nina weather pattern consisting of drier conditions and warmer temperatures has been anything but this winter for Georgia fruit and vegetable producers. With colder temperatures and consistent rainfall, producers have had to adjust. “Overall, I think everything’s looking pretty good. It’s been a wet winter and then a cold winter. Now, we’re back into a little bit …
Back-to-Back Bountiful Watermelon Seasons?
It is never too early to start thinking about watermelon season in the Southeast. After all, south Florida’s crop has been in the ground for about a month. Central Florida producers will plant in mid-February. North Florida, Alabama and Georgia are slated to start around mid-March. It is never too early to start thinking about another dream season to follow …
Whitefly Numbers Increasing in Florida Vegetables
According to today’s release of the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, whitefly numbers are increasing in some older tomato fields across the southwest Florida region. As many as 5 to 10 whiteflies per leaflet have been detected. Whiteflies are also present in high numbers in cucumbers, squash and eggplant. They are beginning to show up in some young tomato …
Quality Assurances: Florida Strawberries Looking, Tasting Good
Cooler temperatures this winter have slowed the growth of Florida’s strawberry crop. But the quality of the berries the state has produced since Thanksgiving remains top-notch. “With all of this nice cool weather, we’ve had fantastic quality. The flavor has been really good. The size of the fruit has been really good. The firmness of the fruit has been really …
Cultivating a New Generation of Farmers
By Sarah Bostick Every five years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service conducts a census. The 2017 Census of Agriculture captured in numbers what we see happening all around us: Farming is changing. GREENER GROWERS One of the most notable changes is that a growing number of farms in America are run by new and beginner producers …
Be on Alert: Pecan Producers Watch Out for Ambrosia Beetles
According to the University of Georgia Extension Pecan blog, now is the time of year where producers need to be wary of ambrosia beetles. This is especially important for farmers with trees that are less than 5 years old. Winter rains mean some trees are prone to flooded conditions, where they are susceptible to ambrosia beetle attacks. Angel Acebes-Doria, University …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in the The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Weekly Field Update-2/01/21 Coastal Rob Last reports, “Strawberry crops are developing well, however, we are seeing gray mold phomopsis blight in forward crops. Sanitation can really help prevent botrytis spread as we move forward when allied to …
Wind’s Blowing: South Florida Melons Progressing Amid Adverse Conditions
South Florida watermelons have been in the ground almost a month. Plants are progressing, but today’s cooler temperatures and strong wind has one farmer concerned potential gummy stem damage. “Right now, (plants are) looking pretty good. I’m just hoping that this wind doesn’t do a lot of damage. When your line is just starting to run a little bit and …