The most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows nearly all of Alabama is in a moderate drought or worse; most of northern Georgia and the southwest part of the state are at least abnormally dry; while the Florida Panhandle is mostly severely dry. Alabama’s dry conditions have worsened in recent weeks. Little to no precipitation has been observed …
Getting Their House in Order: Farm Bill Legislation on Hold Amid Government Upheaval
By Clint Thompson The waiting game for specialty crop producers eager for new Farm Bill legislation is going to be a longer wait than expected. Kevin McCarthy’s ouster as Speaker of the House a couple of weeks ago means legislators must find his replacement before any progress on a new Farm Bill can take place, says Adam Rabinowitz, Alabama Extension …
Drought Monitor Update: Conditions Worsening Across Southeast Region
By Clint Thompson The lingering drought conditions are worsening and expanding across the Southeast. The drought blankets all of Alabama. It covers all of western Georgia and into the northeast part of the state. The Florida Panhandle and Northeast Florida are mostly dry. This is according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Most of Alabama is at least moderately dry, though, …
Hurricane Season Not Over: Future Storms Could Develop in Gulf
By Clint Thompson Hurricane peak season has come and gone, but that does not mean future storms this fall are out of the question. In fact, specialty crop growers should be mindful that potential storms are now more likely to originate in the Gulf Mexico this time of year, which would not provide ample time for producers in Florida, Georgia …
Drought Spreading Across Southeast
By Clint Thompson Drought-like conditions continue to spread across the Southeast, especially in Alabama, Florida and Georgia, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. All but a small portion of Alabama is experiencing dry conditions. They range in severity, from extreme drought in Mobile, Baldwin, Escambia, Conecuh and Monrore counties in Southwest Alabama, to abnormally dry conditions in the central and …
FPAA Cites Study with no Basis in Reality to Distract from Mexican Dumping
The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA), which represents importers of Mexican tomatoes, used a misleading study to distract from Mexico’s record of dumping tomatoes. The study claims that tomato prices will rise by an average of 52% if antidumping duties are imposed on imports of Mexican tomatoes. This conclusion, however, is based on fantasy and not on market …
Current Dry Spell Not Abnormal for This Time of Year
By Clint Thompson The current dry weather sweeping through the Southeast is not abnormal for this time of year. It is also not expected to improve anytime soon, says Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist. “The seven-day forecast I looked at (last Thursday night) for rainfall is basically zero for anything that’s north of the border between Georgia …
Drought Conditions Spreading Across Southeast
Drought-like conditions are worsening and spreading across the Southeast, especially in southern Alabama, northern Florida and southwest Georgia. According to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor, extreme and severe drought conditions are being reported in southwest Alabama. The worst conditions are concentrated in Mobile County and in parts of Escambia, Conecuh and Monrore counties. Severe conditions start in Washington …
Pecan Harvests Commencing Across Southeast
By Clint Thompson Pecan harvests are commencing for early varieties across Georgia and Alabama. Growers should be mindful of last-minute spray applications that might be needed moving forward during this production season. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan specialist, provides producers a checklist of what they should be wary of heading into harvest season. “Scab sprays have pretty …
Farm Bill Update: What Happens if New Legislation is Not Finalized?
By Clint Thompson The absence of a new Farm Bill by the end of 2023 would not be the end of the world for the agriculture industry. It would just mean an extension or continuation of the current one. Adam Rabinowitz, Alabama Extension economist, commented on what happens if a new Farm Bill is not in place by the end …














