By Camila Rodrigues Food-safety regulations are constantly evolving to ensure food is safe and free from harmful contaminants. One area that has received increased attention in recent years is water used in food production and processing. Water is an essential component for the production of raw agricultural commodities. It is used to irrigate crops, clean equipment and facilities, and wash …
Looming Problem: Whiteflies a Potential Concern for Fall Vegetable Producers
By Clint Thompson Alabama vegetable producers already thinking about their crop for next fall should be ready to combat whiteflies, says Andre da Silva, Alabama Extension vegetable specialist. Da Silva focused on whitefly management during a recent webinar. He believes the environmental conditions will be conducive for populations to be high this summer. “We are probably going to have a …
Gas Prices Decreasing Across Southeast
Gas prices are decreasing across the U.S., especially in the Southeast, according to AAA. Prices have dropped significantly over the past month and more than $1 per gallon over the previous year. As of Monday, a regular gallon of gasoline in Florida costs an average of $3.40, compared to $3.47 a week ago, $3.71 a month ago and $4.48 a …
Still Dry: Lack of Rain in Areas Across Southeast
Rainfall continues to impact parts of the Southeast, though much of the region is still observing dry conditions. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, much of the west coast of Florida is either extremely dry or severely dry. These include Levy, Citrus, Hernando, Sumter, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Polk, Manatee, Hardee, Sarasota, Desoto and Charlotte counties. Most of the central part …
Ambrosia Beetle Impact: Pecan Producers Beware
By Clint Thompson Pecan producers in the Southeast should be mindful that ambrosia beetles are currently active and pose a threat to younger tree orchards. University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells cautioned growers about the beetles in the UGA Extension Pecan Blog. “They start emerging in that February-March timeframe, but they’re usually a problem for us …
Warm Temperatures Spur South Georgia Watermelons
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s watermelon harvests are less than a month away. The crop’s development increased last week thanks to warm temperatures. It was much different than the weather conditions growers experienced previously, according to Greg Leger, owner of Leger & Son, Inc, in Cordele, Georgia. “We won’t have anything until the (June) 5th or 10th, something like that. There …
Christmas Tree Production Can Be Rewarding but Challenging
By Clint Thompson Christmas tree production is a venture growing with popularity in Alabama. It provides great potential for retirees and is sure to attract customers looking to partake in the family experience every year. But aspiring producers need to understand the time, energy and work involved in ensuring trees are ready in the fall. Jeremy Pickens, Alabama assistant Extension …
How Dry is it? Drought Monitor Shows Lack of Rainfall in Parts of Southeast
Florida’s dry conditions continue to persist throughout most of the state, according to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. An extreme drought remains along the west coast of the state, starting as far north as Levy County and stretching as far south as Hillsborough and Manatee counties. A severe drought persists along the west coast as well, starting in …
Integrated Management Approach Required for Nematode Control in Sweet Potatoes
By Clint Thompson Sometimes the management of a crop disease or insect requires an integrated approach to achieve full control. Organic sweet potato producers must implement such a strategy to achieve full control of root-knot nematodes. The southern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) is one of several plant-parasitic nematodes that cause damage to plant roots, according to Alabama Extension. Symptoms below …
Drought Monitor: Dry Conditions Remain in Parts of Southeast
Much-needed rainfall helped alleviate some of the drought present in some parts of Florida, specifically along the Florida Panhandle and in Southeast Florida, according to the latest release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. However, drought-like conditions persist in most areas of the state. An extreme drought is still present in counties along the west coast of the state, starting as …