By Clint Thompson Strawberry harvests are supposed to not start in North Alabama until the second week of April. But weather conditions were favorable for bloom and fruit development in December, according to Eric Schavey, regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama. It is now a concern for the region’s producers about what it means for those plants next spring. “We’ve …
Rainfall a Difference Maker in Some Alabama Pecan Orchards
Rainfall a Difference Maker in Some Alabama Pecan Orchards By Clint Thompson The Alabama pecan crop is harvested and being processed, mostly for the retail market. Those that received more rainfall this year experienced increased yields compared to those that didn’t, says Bran Futral, Alabama Pecan Growers Association president. “I’ll tell you that central and North Alabama probably didn’t do …
Rainfall Increasing in North Alabama
By Clint Thompson Rainfall accumulation was minimal during the fall season for specialty crop producers in North Alabama. It is starting to improve, however, according to Eric Schavey, regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama. “We’ve got about 2 ½ inches over the last three weeks or so. I would say it’s brought pond levels up, maybe three or four inches,” …
Bumper Citrus Crop in Southwest Alabama
By Clint Thompson Citrus producers in Southwest Alabama are experiencing a bumper crop this year. That’s good news for growers this season, not so much for next season, says Jacob Kelley, regional Extension agent in Southwest Alabama. “I think it’s been a really good crop. Last year wasn’t as great, but it was decent considering the freezing weather that we …
Chill Effect: Recent Cold Weather Benefits Alabama Peach Trees
By Clint Thompson Last week was a welcome sight for Alabama’s peach producers. Multiple cold days in a row allowed the state’s peach trees to catch up in accumulating chill hours. Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University, provided an outlook on where chilling stands in the state. “We were quite …
USDA, Alabama Award $5.9 Million to Projects that Strengthen Food Supply Chain Infrastructure
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has announced it has partnered with Alabama to award $5.9 million for six projects through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI) to build resilience across the middle of the supply chain and strengthen local and regional food systems. “Projects funded through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program …
Prolonged Drought’s Impact in Central Alabama
By Clint Thompson Lingering drought conditions in Alabama are impacting fruit crops in central Alabama. David Lawrence, regional Extension agent, said the prolonged dry spell and warm temperatures are impacting his growers’ peach trees and strawberry plants. “Where I am peaches and strawberries are the main thing. Peaches have already set their buds. They set those in the late summer. …
Drought Worsening in Alabama
Drought conditions are worsening in some parts of the Southeast while improving in others, according to the most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Extreme drought is starting to show in some counties in Alabama. One area is in North Alabama in Limestone and Madison counties. Another is located in Southwest Alabama in Marengo, Sumter, Greene, Hale, Perry, Dallas …
Favorable Weather Conditions for Alabama Christmas Tree Production This Year
By Clint Thompson Alabama Christmas trees are on the verge of being cut down for this year’s holiday season. Looks like most live trees have benefited from this year’s growing conditions, says Steve Mannhard, with Fish River Farms in Baldwin County, Alabama. “They are in pretty good shape. They’re better than last year. We had a little better summer in …
Dry Weather’s Impact in Southeast Alabama
By Clint Thompson Dry weather conditions continue to linger in Alabama. Like other areas in the state, Southeast Alabama is feeling the impact, says Neil Kelly, Alabama regional Extension agent in Southeast Alabama. “I guess we’ve been the better part of three weeks since we’ve had a rain. This time of year, what rain we get lasts longer than it …



















