By Clint Thompson Alabama peach growers have enough chill hours to make a crop this year. Now comes the hard part; avoiding a late-season freeze event that could devastate a crop. Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University, discussed that unfortunate scenario with AgNet Media during the recent Alabama Fruit and …
Decision Time for Alabama Citrus Producer
By Clint Thompson One Southwest Alabama citrus producer is faced with a potential career-defining decision following the 2025 freeze/snow event. Craig Goolsby, with Silverhill Satsumas in Baldwin County, said last year’s freeze led to a loss in productive trees for him and his colleagues. “We run a small co-op. Prior to the 2025 freeze, we had about 1,200 productive trees. …
Research Critical for Alabama’s Strawberry Industry
By Clint Thompson Strawberry research continues to be a focus at Auburn University. It needs to be for Alabama growers to have a viable future. Sushan Ru, assistant professor in horticulture at Auburn University, hopes to provide her growers with strong alternative varieties. She updated growers about her research during the recent Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) Conference …
Neo Should Be Lessened This Year in Alabama Strawberries
By Clint Thompson What a difference a year makes for Alabama strawberry producers. Expectations are that the growers’ problems with Neopestalotiopsis (Neo) disease in 2025 will not be as problematic this year, according to Ed Sikora, professor and Extension plant pathologist in the department of entomology and plant pathology at Auburn University. The key has been where growers sourced this …
Auburn Expert: Alabama Strawberry Growers Need Options Other Than Camarosa
By Clint Thompson Alabama strawberry growers do not need to put all of their eggs in one variety basket. That’s the message that Sushan Ru, assistant professor in horticulture at Auburn University, presented to growers at the recent Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association Conference on Feb. 4-6. Instead of growers depending so much on the Camarosa variety, producers should …
Chill Hours Accumulation Complete for Alabama Peach Crop
By Clint Thompson Alabama peach producers appear to be in good shape with respect to chill hour accumulation this winter. That is according to Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University. Vinson discussed peaches with AgNet Media at last weekend’s Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association Conference in Gulf Shores, Alabama. …
AFVGA Annual Conference Important for Alabama Growers
By Clint Thompson The Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) celebrated its annual conference and trade show this week in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Farmers, industry leaders and Extension personnel flocked to the Lodge at Gulf State Park to learn about various trends and topics impacting the fruit and vegetable industries. Topics like Neopestalotiopsis in strawberries, paper mulch research in …
Drought Update: Extreme Conditions Observed in Florida, Georgia and Alabama
By Clint Thompson According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, dry areas still encompass much of the Southeast region, especially in North Florida, South and Central Georgia and Southeast Alabama. Florida Extreme conditions are seen in a couple of areas in northern Florida. One area includes all or part of Jackson, Calhoun, Liberty, Gadsden, Leon, Wakulla and Jefferson counties. The area …
Lingering Drought Hurts Alabama Pecan Production
By Clint Thompson Alabama pecan quality and quantity was down this year. The prolonged drought is the main reason why, says Bryan Wilkins, Auburn University research associate. “Numbers are way down. That drought hurt us pretty good. They were as small as they’ve been in a long time. Wasn’t a good year,” Wilkins said. “We were wet, but when it …
Row Covers Needed for North Alabama Strawberry Producers
By Clint Thompson Inclement weather predicted for this upcoming weekend and into early next week should prompt North Alabama strawberry producers to initiate a specific management practice. At least that’s what Eric Schavey, regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama, is advising his growers when they call asking him what to do. “I said I’m covering if I’m you,” Schavey said. …



















