The cold-hardy citrus region endured another test of Mother Nature on Wednesday with Hurricane Idalia moving through the Southeast. One industry expert is optimistic that the area’s trees survived this latest challenge. “I am happy to report that citrus in Georgia appears to have fared very well,” said grower Lindy Savelle, president of the Georgia Citrus Association and member of the Georgia Citrus Commission. …
Farm Bill Has Multifaceted Effects on Alabamians
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala.—The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 is set to expire Sept. 30. An Alabama Cooperative Extension System economist said the act, also known as the farm bill, has more than just an agricultural impact on Alabamians. Adam Rabinowitz is expecting house and senate committees to begin releasing bill drafts in late August near the end of the congressional …
Dry Conditions Expanding Across Southeast
Dry conditions are becoming more widespread across the Southeast. In some areas of the region, the dry weather is classified as a moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The worst conditions are observed along the Florida Panhandle. A moderate drought starts in Escambia County and stretches Liberty and Franklin counties. Abnormal drought conditions continue eastward to Jefferson County. Dry …
Warm Temps, Dry Conditions Help Whitefly Numbers Increase
By Clint Thompson The inevitable has finally happened in the Southeast; whitefly populations are on the rise. It was bound to happen considering the prolonged hot and dry weather conditions being experienced across the region. “I think it’s still probably localized, but yeah, there are some fields, if you start getting squash coming up, it just pulls them in like …
Drought Monitor: Dry Conditions Expanding Across Southeast
Dry conditions are becoming more widespread across the Southeast. In some areas of the region, the dry weather is classified as a moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The worst conditions are observed along the Florida Panhandle. A moderate drought starts in Escambia County and stretches Liberty and Franklin counties. Abnormal drought conditions continue eastward to Jefferson County. …
Yellow-Legged Hornet Causes Threat to Agriculture
By Clint Thompson The presence of the yellow-legged hornet in Georgia has specialty crop producers in the Southeast on high alert. Their presence is a threat to the region’s honey bee population and subsequent crops that rely on honey bees for pollination, explains Katelyn Kesheimer, Auburn University assistant professor and Extension specialist. “Similar to what people were calling the murder hornet …
Georgia’s Pecan Crop Estimate Remains a Question Mark
By Clint Thompson Estimating this year’s pecan crop in Georgia is easier said than done. That’s why Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist, steers clear when making such predictions. Various factors can impact the crop between now and harvest time. It is compounded by the expected increase in the number of young trees coming online this year. “Giving …
Yellow-Legged Hornet a Threat to Agriculture
By Clint Thompson The presence of the yellow-legged hornet in Georgia has specialty crop producers in the Southeast on high alert. Their presence is a threat to the region’s honey bee population and subsequent crops that rely on honey bees for pollination, explains Katelyn Kesheimer, Auburn University assistant professor and Extension specialist. “Similar to what people were calling the murder …
Dry conditions spreading in Florida
Drought-like conditions still exist across some areas of the Southeast, according to the most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. The worst areas are still located along Southwest Florida, starting as far north as Hernando County and stretching southward to Lee and Collier counties. Extreme drought is observed in parts of Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota counties. A wide stretch …
Upon Further Review: Grafting Tomato Plants Benefits Growers Long Term
By Clint Thompson Grafting tomato plants may be an expensive venture for commercial growers, but they will be the ones laughing at the end, capitalizing with fruit when supply is limited. Jacob Kelley, Alabama regional Extension agent, encourages his producers to adopt the practice to help overcome diseases that are prevalent in South Alabama. “A lot of these diseases and …















