Hemp research is still in its infancy across the Southeast. But as more data is developed and information is processed, an already growing market could continue to explode in popularity. “If you look around the country, there’s now a Professor of Cannabis position open in Illinois. There’s one in Tennessee. There is money and energy going to research,” said Katelyn …
Mild, Wet Weather Leads to Rise in Downy Mildew Disease in Alabama This Year
Weather conditions in Alabama this year were conducive to plant diseases impacting the state’s vegetable crops. One disease, downy mildew, has been especially prevalent in fields across the state, according Ed Sikora, Alabama Extension Specialist and Professor in Entomology and Plant Pathology at Auburn University. “I put out about eight cucurbit downy mildew sentinel plots around the state. Most of …
Alabama Extension Research Associate: Pecan Producers Took a Good Kick in the Guts
What was potentially Alabama’s best pecan crop in years has been drastically reduced by two hurricanes. Alabama Extension Research Associate Bryan Wilkins estimates after Hurricanes Sally (in mid-September) and Zeta (last week), the state’s crop has been reduced to about 25% or less for this year. “This was the best crop we’ve had in years. We were probably looking at …
Alabama Extension to Host Hemp Roundtable Meetings
Alabama hemp producers looking ahead to the 2021 season are invited to participate in roundtable discussions with Alabama Cooperative Extension agents and specialists. Alabama Extension is hosting three discussion events with producers over the next three weeks, beginning this Thursday at Camp Meadowbrook in Cullman, Ala. One will be held on Nov. 13 at the Richard Beard Building in Montgomery, …
Alabama Producers Feeling Pressure from Low Quality Hemp, Decreased Prices
Many Alabama hemp farmers are either sitting on their crop following harvest or have decided to plow their crop under, due to low quality and decreased prices, according to Katelyn Kesheimer, Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist. “I spoke to a grower on Friday and he said he couldn’t find a processor that had the right price to make …
Whiteflies Impacting Alabama Vegetables
This has been the year of the whitefly for vegetable producers in the Southeast. Even as they have been a problem for Georgia vegetable producers, they have also been a nuisance for Alabama farmers. Ed Sikora, an Alabama Extension Specialist Professor in Entomology and Plant Pathology at Auburn University, said he’s seen quite a few whiteflies on some of …
2021 Alabama Hemp Grower Applications Now Available
By Katie Nichols AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala.— Alabama hemp grower applications and processor/handler applications are available for the 2021 growing season through Nov. 30. Applications can be found on the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) website. Applications Full applications, including supporting documents, must be complete before the Nov. 30 deadline to receive approval consideration. Seasoned and new growers alike must …
Alabama Extension Economist Tries to Clear Up Misconception about Hemp
A misconception between hemp and marijuana has Adam Rabinowitz concerned about how consumers view an up-and-coming agricultural commodity in the Southeast. Rabinowitz worked as an Extension economist at the University of Georgia before he moved to Alabama this summer to become an Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension economist. At UGA, Rabinowitz helped conduct a survey to gauge consumer knowledge …
Alabama Hemp Growers Dealing With Low Quality Crop
Hemp harvest is under way in Alabama, but quality may not be what farmers had hoped for in their second year of production. It’s understandable, though, considering the challenges that producers dealt with during the growing season, says Katelyn Kesheimer, Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist. “It’s not fantastic. I wouldn’t say there’s a lot of good quality hemp …
Cold Outbreak at End of October Could End Growing Season in Northern Alabama, Georgia
According to Pam Knox, University of Georgia agricultural climatologist, in her UGA Extension blog, the forecasts are starting to show a strong cold front passing through the Southeast at the end of October. This will usher in a period of much colder air which could include frost across northern Alabama and Georgia as well as western parts of the Carolinas …