Alabama Extension reminds interested producers that they can obtain a growers permit that allows them to sell directly to consumers without paying licensing fees or sales tax for raw agricultural commodities that they raise. This allows farmers to market their products anywhere in Alabama and reduces barriers to the availability of fresh and nutritious Alabama products. The agricultural commodities include …
Downy Mildew Alert: Alabama Cucurbit Growers Be Proactive in Management
By Clint Thompson Florida’s recent diagnosis of downy mildew in lettuce should have Alabama growers on alert about the disease’s eventual movement northward. Ed Sikora, professor and Extension plant pathologist in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at Auburn University, discusses why producers should be wary of this disease. “With these moist conditions, that’ll build up the winter nursery …
Alabama Pecan Producers Remain Optimistic
By Clint Thompson Alabama pecan producers are optimistic about next year’s potential crop. But they are also keeping an eye on rising input expenses and the impact fertilizer costs will have on the bottom line. That’s the message being conveyed to Bryan Wilkins, Alabama Extension Research Associate. “They’re farmers, so they’re always optimistic, but they’re keeping an eye on things …
Chill Hour Accumulation: Alabama Peaches Still Behind
By Clint Thompson Cooler temperatures in January have provided hope for peach producers yearning for chill hour accumulation. Though Alabama’s crop is still behind the total from last year, it still is progressing, says Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University. “We’ve progressed some in the amount of chill. We are …
Alabama Extension Mobile County Fruit, Vegetable Growers Meeting Set for Jan. 27
By Clint Thompson Alabama Extension reminds specialty crop producers that the Mobile County Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association annual meeting will be held on Thursday, Jan. 27 at the Jon Archer Ag Center in Mobile, Alabama. The event will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Preregistration is required by calling the Mobile County Extension Office at 251-574-8445. Jacob …
Alabama Extension Offering Peach Insect, Disease Management Chart
Alabama Extension is offering a Peach Insect and Disease Management Chart for peach producers. The tool is a resource growers can carry with them and help manage insects during certain tree cycles. It includes the most common insect pests, including scale, European red mite, lesser peachtree borer and thrips. It also includes what management options growers have for prevention of …
Ideal Weather Last Week for North Alabama Production
By Clint Thompson Colder temperatures and additional rainfall were just what the doctor ordered last week for North Alabama specialty crop producers. Temperatures in Guntersville, Alabama where Alabama Regional Extension agent Eric Schavey works, were as high as 79 degrees on Jan. 1. But rain helped dropped temperatures to the 30s and 40s this week. This week’s wet weather also …
Diminished Pecan Crop in Southeast Alabama
By Clint Thompson Southeast Alabama may be a small sample size of pecan production in the state, but its lower-than-normal crop epitomizes what growers are feeling statewide – the crop was diminished substantially this season. “It was a tough year,” said Neil Kelly, Alabama Regional Extension agent in Southeast Alabama. “Overall production is going to be real light. It’s also …
Reminder: Alabama Hemp Meetings to be Held in January
Alabama Extension reminds those interested that hemp licensee orientation meetings will be held at five separate locations in January 2022. The meetings will be held from 9 a.m. to noon and will provide an overview of the 2022 hemp season with changes to the hemp rules, requirements licensees must adhere to, hemp budgets and other procedures and deadlines. Licensed growers, …
Alabama Extension Entomologist: Residual Insecticides Key Against Armyworms
By Clint Thompson Last year’s persistent rains contributed to armyworms being more of a nuisance in Alabama’s specialty crop fields. “If you can control weather, you can control armyworms,” joked Ayanava Majumdar, Extension professor of Entomology and Plant Pathology at Auburn University. “We had an extremely wet summer. The weather was just perfect for those insects.” Majumdar believes growers can …