Alabama Extension Agent Highlights Current Weather Challenges Impacting Producers

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Weather conditions over the past month have challenged Alabama fruit and vegetable farmers. Excessive rain delayed growers from being able to get in the fields. Neil Kelly, Alabama regional Extension agent in Southeast Alabama, highlighted that challenge his producers have faced in recent weeks. “The biggest thing is just getting fields ready; getting ready to plant. We’ve …

Alabama Peach Trees in Better Position to Withstand Potential Freeze Event

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Peaches

By Clint Thompson Sufficient chill hours have Alabama peach trees where they need to be during bloom season. One Extension agent believes they will help the trees survive any potential freeze event. “We got a little bit better chill this year. There were some varieties that I think would have made it through the freeze last year, but they just …

Alabama Strawberries Progressing Well

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Strawberries

By Clint Thompson Alabama strawberries are progressing well, according to one industry expert. Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University, liked how his state’s strawberry crop has progressed and believes plant timing is a big reason why. “What I’ve seen, it’s pretty hopeful, pretty positive. Plants have got really good size …

Weather Challenges for Strawberry Producers in North Alabama

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Strawberries

By Clint Thompson Fluctuating temperatures have made strawberry production a challenge in North Alabama, according Eric Schavey, regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama. “Right now, everyone is focused on strawberries. We get these days where I believe it was 71 degrees (Fahrenheit), but it was 31 that morning. It’s like you’re scraping frost in the evening and then thinking about …

Alabama Peach Trees Enjoying High Chill Hours

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Peaches

By Clint Thompson Alabama peach trees are off to a strong start this year thanks to high chill hours. But growers are also aware this is just the first step in establishing a crop for the upcoming spring, says Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University “It’s looking pretty good as …

Alabama Extension to Host Two Irrigation Workshops in February

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Irrigation

AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. — The Alabama Cooperative Extension System is offering two irrigation field days in February. The workshops are designed to provide support to farmers as they implement precision agriculture technologies to strengthen preplanting, in-season and harvest management strategies. Brenda Ortiz, an Alabama Extension precision agriculture specialist, said the topics will allow producers to make plans for irrigation use …

Hemp Meetings Set for Alabama

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Hemp

AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) will host four industrial hemp meetings for new and seasoned growers next month. Sonja Thomas, Alabama Extension pesticide safety specialist, said all meetings will follow the same agenda, so growers only need to attend one. “The meeting will be an overview of the 2024 hemp season with changes …

Fruit, Vegetable Outlooks Highlighted During Alabama Ag Outlook Conference

Clint ThompsonAlabama

The Auburn University College of Agriculture and Alabama Cooperative Extension System Farm and Agribusiness Management Team recently hosted the Alabama Agricultural Outlook Conference in Montgomery on Dec. 13. It featured speakers from across the Southeast. Agricultural enterprises and systems in the Southeast were highlighted. Will Jordan, with AgNet Media, visited with Wendiam Sawadgo from Auburn University to discuss fruit and …

Drought’s Impact on Alabama Pecan Crop

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Alabama’s prolonged drought in the late summer and fall impacted the size of this year’s pecan crop, according to Bryan Wilkins, Auburn University research associate. But the lack of rainfall actually helped the quality of this year’s crop in Mobile and Baldwin counties. “It’s cut the size of the nuts, but from what I’ve been seeing, it …

Hemp Outlook in Alabama

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Hemp applications are currently being accepted for Alabama producers, with the final day to apply set for Jan. 15, 2024, at 5 p.m. (CST). Katelyn Kesheimer, Auburn University assistant professor and Extension specialist, discussed what can be expected from hemp production in the state next year. “We’re probably going to see the same consistent growers we’ve seen …