By Clint Thompson One Alabama Extension economist believes it is unreasonable to predict how much longer input prices will remain at historically high levels. That’s why Adam Rabinowitz wants specialty crop producers to focus on profits and not yields entering this production season. “These input prices, we’re sitting here scratching our heads looking at these prices going up. It’s not …
Oversaturated Soils Delaying Specialty Crop Plantings in North Alabama
By Clint Thompson Persistent rains and oversaturated soils have delayed plantings for some specialty crops in North Alabama. “A lot of rainfall is delaying planting dates. Like (Monday), I visited a couple of growers in central to North Alabama and they were saying, ‘We have all of our seedlings ready for transplants, but our soils are too wet,” said Andre …
Alabama Cucurbit Producers: Be Mindful of Cucumber Beetles
Alabama cucurbit producers need to be mindful of looming insect pests they are likely to encounter this growing season. It starts with cucumber beetles, usually the first pest farmers will see this year, according to Ayanava Majumdar, Extension Professor in Entomology and Plant Pathology at Auburn University. “They’ll jump onto the plants right when they’re young. They will start feeding …
Hops: A Potential Alternative Crop for Alabama Producers
According to Alabama Extension, research specialists will conduct a hops cultivar trial in the hop yard of the E.V. Smith Research and Extension Center in Shorter, Alabama this year. There will also be a workshop conducted at a later date, training growers on cultivar selection and crop management. The research is in response to increased interest for hops production throughout …
Alabama Tomato Production: Optimal Planting Period Begins This Week
By Clint Thompson Planting dates are an important factor to consider when planning for tomato production this year. Alabama Extension reminds interested producers that this week begins the optimal planting period for South Alabama. Andre da Silva, Alabama Extension vegetable specialist, encourages growers in the southern part of the state to plant their crop between March 1 and April 30. …
Neopestalotiopsis Discovered in Alabama
The strawberry disease that has impacted Florida production since 2017 and also Georgia’s crop has finally been discovered on plants in South Alabama. The first report of Neopestalotiopsis leaf spot disease was confirmed recently, according to Alabama Extension. Kassie Conner, Alabama Extension Specialist II, said the disease appears to have traveled in on the transplants. The disease is important to …
Be Alert for Citrus Canker in Alabama
Alabama Cooperative Extension implores growers to be on the lookout for symptoms of citrus canker disease in their trees. Commercial growers need to scout their trees regularly to stop the disease’s potential spread, says Kassie Conner, Alabama Extension specialist. “What we need people to do right now is look for these symptoms and report it if they find it,” Conner …
Alabama Strawberry Variety Trials: What are the Favorites?
By Clint Thompson The future of strawberry production in Alabama rests on the variety trials currently being conducted by Edgar Vinson and Alabama Extension. The assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University discussed the importance of his ongoing research, starting with the Camarosa variety. “We want our growers to have more available. We …
Alabama Extension to Host Online Vegetable Production Meetings
Alabama Extension has scheduled vegetable production meetings via zoom, starting on Feb. 23 through March 30. Every Wednesday, from noon to 1:30 p.m., a different vegetable topic will be discussed with specialists at Alabama Extension. Andre da Silva, assistant professor in horticulture, and Ayanava Majumdar, Extension professor in entomology and plant pathology, will discuss tomato varieties and tomato insect management …
Chilling Out: Alabama Fruit Tree Producers Enjoying Cold January
By Clint Thompson Alabama’s fruit tree producers have enjoyed the cold temperatures in January. They have provided much-needed chilling hours that the trees need to mature. That’s according to Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University. He pointed out during Monday’s Alabama Extension Commercial Horticulture Facebook webinar how much ground was …