By Clint Thompson High infestations of fall armyworms may be a surprise to Alabama producers this summer, but they aren’t to Ayanava Majumdar, Extension Professor in Entomology and Plant Pathology at Auburn University. “We had the trap numbers from the very beginning, and we knew this was coming,” Majumdar said. According to the most recent Alabama Extension Pest Monitoring Report, …
Alabama Producers Be Wary of Pickleworms
According to the Alabama Vegetable IPM Facebook page, producers need to be wary of pickleworms on squash and cucumbers. This is especially essential for growers with the late-planted crop. Alabama Extension describes pickleworms as large moths with semi-transparent yellowish wings and dark wing borders. Male and female moths have tufts of hair at the end of their dark abdomen. Moths …
Seeking Sunshine: North Alabama Feeling Impact of Persistent Rains
By Clint Thompson Unless you’ve been asleep for the last two months, you know how wet it has been across the Southeast. Persistent rains have been the story for farmers across the region, especially in north Alabama. Fortunately, the wet weather has slowed in recent days, according to Eric Schavey, Regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama. “Rain’s kind of backed …
Monitoring Update: Insect Pressure Remains High Across Alabama
Insect pressure remains high across Alabama. According to the Alabama Insect Pest Monitoring Update, released Friday, July 23, fall armyworms, southern armyworms, corn earworms and squash vine borers are all reporting higher numbers than compared to this time last year. Alabama Extension recorded the moth numbers in 19 locations across Alabama. There were 585 fall armyworms, compared to 114 in …
Summer Rains Impacting Middle Alabama
By Clint Thompson Rainy days and wet field conditions add up to a frustrating summer for Alabama’s vegetable and specialty crop producers. “Soaking wet,” describes David Lawrence, regional Extension agent for commercial horticulture in middle Alabama. “Everything’s under water. Guys are having a hard time getting in the field, falling behind. Disease pressure is through the roof right now. Yep, …
Deadline Nearing for Alabama Disaster Relief Programs
Alabama vegetable and specialty crop producers have until July 26 to apply for the Alabama Agricultural Relief Program. According to the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2019, provides funds for necessary expenses related to losses of crops, trees, bushes and vines related to Hurricane Michael in 2018. The United States Department …
Hemp Survey: Alabama Extension Asking for Grower Input
A group of hemp research and extension faculty, including Alabama Extension, are conducting a survey with hemp producers to gauge research priorities in the future. The group is asking hemp growers to fill out the survey to help with the efforts. This is Alabama’s third hemp production season, though the rainy summer has delayed or deterred growers from planting their …
Citrus Canker Detected: Disease Confirmed in Alabama
Citrus canker has been detected in Alabama. Plant health officials have confirmed the plant disease in a residential area of Baldwin County, Alabama, which is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico and state of Florida. This is the first detection of citrus canker in Alabama. It can affect all citrus species. Though the disease is harmless to humans, it can …
Drought-Less Region: Sufficient Moisture Remains in Alabama, Florida and Georgia
According to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor, most of the Southeast continues to have sufficient moisture amid a wet summer. No areas of Alabama or Georgia are abnormally dry. Only a small part of Miami-Dade County in Florida is abnormally dry. South Carolina has sufficient moisture, except for a small region across the northwest part of the state. …
Less Hemp Acreage in Alabama Amid Wet Conditions
By Clint Thompson If growers’ hemp crops are not planted by now, it is likely too late. Alabama Extension does not encourage growers to pursue planting their crop after June. “I don’t love the idea of planting in July at all,” said Katelyn Kesheimer, Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist. “We had some stuff go in at the end …