By Clint Thompson Downy mildew disease has been confirmed in North Florida watermelons. South Georgia and South Alabama watermelon producers should be wary since the disease can spread easily by the high winds being experienced this week. “With the way the winds have been blowing here recently I think we’re in a situation where it’s relatively high risk throughout the …
U.S. Drought Monitor: Dry Conditions Persist in Southeast
The U.S. Drought Monitor continues to show areas of the Southeast that are suffering through lack of rainfall. An extended stretch of counties along the west coast of Florida are in an extreme drought. These include Levy, Marion, Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Most of the rest of Florida is either in a severe drought or moderate drought. …
North Florida Watermelon Producers Advised to Implement Daily Irrigation Practices
By Clint Thompson The current prolonged dry period covering most of Florida is impacting North Florida watermelons. While producers prefer drier weather, they need to ensure their crop is receiving adequate moisture. Growers need to be more diligent in making sure fields are saturated with multiple irrigation events per day while the drought persists, says Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute …
North Florida Watermelon Producers Should Implement Multiple Irrigation Events Daily
By Clint Thompson The current prolonged dry period covering most of Florida is impacting North Florida watermelons. While producers prefer drier weather, they need to ensure their crop is receiving adequate moisture. Growers need to be more diligent in making sure fields are saturated with multiple irrigation events per day while the drought persists, says Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida …
Expensive Equipment Needs for Beginner Pecan Producers
By Clint Thompson Equipment needs are an obvious and expensive component of pecan production. Southeast growers interested in producing trees need to understand that reality, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist. “For equipment on pecans, that’s one of the biggest expenses. With pecans, there are certain things you have to have if you’re going to do the …
Drought Lingers Throughout Most of Florida
The extreme drought present in southern Florida has moved up the east coast, according to the latest release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. The extreme dry conditions are now present in Marion, Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. A severe drought continues to be observed throughout most of the state, starting as far north as Dixie and Gilchrist counties …
Georgia Bill Focusing on Foreign-Owned Farmlands May Be on the Horizon
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s legislative session did not include the passage of a bill preventing foreign-owned farmlands in the state. While one was debated and discussed, it did not pass this session. Some of the state’s political leaders believe a bill will be passed next session, however. “It’s set up for next year. We really, just across the country now, …
USDA Partners to Foster Economic Growth for Small Farming Businesses in Southern States
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is partnering with the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Federal Depository Insurance Corporation (FDIC), to host a series of regional economic development workshops on the “Path to Prosperity” in Mississippi, Kentucky, and Georgia to provide small businesses, including farmers and ranchers, with the resources and tools they need to grow. “These independent businesses, …
Florida Remains Mostly Severe Dry
Drought conditions continue to worsen in Florida, especially in the central and southern areas of the state. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, most of the central and southern regions of Florida are in a severe drought, though portions of Lee, Hendry and Collier counties are in an extreme drought. Most of the northeastern and northwestern parts of the state …
Dry Conditions Worsening in South Florida
Drought-like conditions are worsening in certain areas of the Southeast, specifically in southern Florida and southern Alabama, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The majority of Florida is either abnormally dry, moderately dry, severely dry or extremely dry, as is the case for Lee, Hendry and Collier counties in South Florida. Most of central and south Florida is severely dry, …