By Clint Thompson Even with much-needed rainfall this week and more expected this weekend, Florida remains in a drought; severe in some cases. The southern portions of the state and along the peninsula will remain drier than normal for the foreseeable future, according to Pam Knox, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension state climatologist, . “I’ve been watching the drought in …
Rising Temperatures Bad for Butterbeans in South Carolina
By Karla Arboleda In South Carolina, Clemson University researchers are working toward heat-tolerant butterbeans to preserve this staple crop. Tony Melton, an Extension agent at the Clemson Pee Dee Research and Extension Center, said rising temperatures have contributed to why butterbean production has been falling short in South Carolina. “When it’s hot, and as summers are getting hotter, (butterbean plants) …
Dorian’s Swing Threatens 770,000 Acres of Ag Land in Florida East Coast Counties
GAINESVILLE, FL (UF/IFAS) — Hurricane Dorian began its much-anticipated northward swing Tuesday morning and is now expected to skirt Florida’s Atlantic coast, threatening a dozen coastal counties that are home to 9 million residents and more than 770,000 acres of agricultural land. Though most agricultural production in these counties occurs 10 miles or more inland, crops could be lost to …
USDA to Survey Fruit Growers about Chemical Use
Athens, GA (USDA/NASS) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will survey fruit growers in 11 states, including Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, for its biennial Fruit Chemical Use Survey. The survey will collect information on bearing acreage, pest management practices, pesticide application, acres treated and rates applied for more than 12 fruit crops. “Pesticide data …
The 2019 Georgia Watermelon Season Starts
America’s favorite summertime treat in stores now LAGRANGE, GA – Sweet, refreshing Georgia watermelon is in a store near you! The 2019 watermelon crop is expected to have the crisp, sweet flavor and high quality unique to Georgia watermelon. Georgia growers report that after two years of unpredictable and extreme weather patterns, this growing season has been smooth. While initial …
Ag Census Deadlines Announced
Less than two weeks to submit the questionnaire by mail The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is wrapping up data collection for the 2017 Census of Agriculture. To stay on track for data release in February 2019, the deadline for submitting the paper questionnaire is June 15, 2018. Farmers and ranchers who have not responded …
Be Counted: Turn in Your Ag Census
Florida producers are encouraged to turn in their Census of Agriculture when they receive it in the mail. The state of Florida is so agriculturally diverse, that it is crucial for producers to participate so the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) can account for each crop grown. The national return rate is currently lower than it was at this point …
Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance Announces Farm Bill Priorities
More than 120 organizations urge Congress to support key nutrition, block grant and research programs. The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA), a national coalition of more than 120 specialty crop organizations, has announced its 2018 farm bill priorities focusing on programs for a healthier America heading into Wednesday’s U.S. House Agriculture Committee meeting on the farm bill. The SCFBA …