By Clint Thompson Summer rains and increased pest infestations in the early fall created less-than-ideal conditions for producing hemp in Alabama. Katelyn Kesheimer, Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, details some of the challenges hemp farmers are facing amid fall harvests. “People are dealing with caterpillars. We have corn earworms, yellow-striped armyworms, loopers, fall armyworms; I mean you name …
La Nina Expected This Winter
By Clint Thompson It is never too early to start thinking about what Southeast vegetable and specialty crop producers can expect with this winter’s weather conditions. It is expected to be warm and dry. Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension Agricultural Climatologist, believes another La Nina winter is likely, which would have implications for peach growers, who need chilling hours; …
Fall Armyworm Infestations: Be Sure to Scout Against Insect Pressure
High pest pressure in Alabama means vegetable and specialty crop producers needs to stay vigilant in their scouting especially as fall crops like brassicas are being planted. Fall armyworm moths continue to be very active throughout Alabama. They have almost doubled in numbers since August 2021 and are more than five times the numbers from 2020. According to the Alabama …
Will Pecans Be Ready for Chinese New Year?
By Clint Thompson A delay in pecan production this year could have a ripple effect that costs growers the opportunity to take advantage of the exports market to China. There is renewed optimism from Southeast producers about this year’s harvest season. It stems largely from the fact that China has increased its interest in purchasing U.S. pecans. However, supply may …
Weed Control Essential for Container Nurseries
By Clint Thompson It is essential for container nurseries to keep plants weed free from start to finish. According to Alabama Extension, weeds can reduce the growth and marketability of nursery crops. Jeremy Pickens, Alabama Assistant Extension Professor in Horticulture at Auburn University, says when selling ornamentals, “aesthetics is everything.” “There’s really no margin for error. You’ve got to have …
All Things Considering: Georgia Pecan Crop Good Amid High Scab Disease Pressure
By Clint Thompson The earliest pecan varieties are a couple of weeks away from harvest. As Georgia growers and industry leaders take stock of this year’s crop, fortunately, it is not as bad as it could have been, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist. “It’s certainly worse than we’d like it to be. Really, considering all …
USDA NASS to Issue Pecan Survey
The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will soon be sending pecan producers a survey to forecast pecan production for the upcoming season. Growers will have the option to respond to the survey online. Producers who have not responded by Sept. 29 will be contacted for a telephone interview by a NASS representative. Survey results will be published on Oct. …
Flooding Impact Contaminated Produce Should be Discarded
By Clint Thompson Hurricane Ida’s recent devastation in parts of Louisiana and the Southeast should remind vegetable and specialty crop producers about the danger of flood waters. Especially as growers produce their fall crops, the produce is in danger of becoming contaminated during a major storm or even hurricane, like Ida, says Kristin Woods, Alabama Regional Extension agent, who specializes …
Pecan Producers Optimistic with Potential for Price Increase
By Clint Thompson Pecan harvest season is upon us here in the Southeast. While projections are that this year’s crop will be substantially less than last year’s, growers are optimistic, especially with the potential for increased prices, said Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist. “Those that have a crop, which is mostly growers with young trees, and we’ve …
Excessive Rain a Potential Food Safety Concern for Fresh Produce Growers
By Clint Thompson Rains from storms and other tropical events help replenish the soil moisture. However, they also provide food safety concerns for fresh produce growers. Camila Rodrigues, assistant professor and Alabama Extension specialist in Horticulture at Auburn University, says the biggest concern is with runoff. “What is around the field that could be carried around by runoff and also …