By Clint Thompson The prolonged dry period sweeping across the Southeast benefited tomato producers in the North Florida/South Georgia region. Growers welcomed the dry conditions that helped save the crop from bacterial spot disease. Josh Freeman, an agronomist and regional manager with TriEst Ag Group, discussed the impact that minimal rainfall had on tomato production. “Everything started off really bad. …
Drought Monitor: Dry Conditions Worsening Across Southeast
The drought is intensifying across southeastern states, specifically Florida, Georgia and Alabama. Severe dry conditions are being observed in the Florida Panhandle, southern Alabama and North Georgia areas, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Moderate dry conditions in South Alabama stretch from Mobile and Baldwin counties in the Gulf of Mexico to Henry and Houston counties in Southeast Alabama. Moderate …
Sweet Valley Citrus Ahead of Schedule This Season
Citrus producers in the Sweet Valley Citrus region are about a week or two ahead of schedule this season. The area consists of a tri-state zone in North Florida, South Alabama and South Georgia. Grower Kim Jones attributes the accelerated harvest this year to the cooler temperatures the region received during October. Jones, president of the Cold Hardy Citrus Association, said about …
Diesel Shortage? Higher Costs Could Impact SE
By Clint Thompson A challenging season for the specialty crop industry could be exacerbated if fears of a potential diesel shortage come to fruition. Mansfield Energy, a major provider of fuel delivery, announced in late October that it was moving to Alert Level 4 to address market volatility. It moved the Southeast (SE) to Code Red, requesting a 72-hour notice …
Water Needs Continue for Some Pecan Varieties
By Clint Thompson Water requirements for pecans have not totally evaporated as harvest season continues across the Southeast. Growers should be mindful that some varieties need water to help shucks open up, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist. “Honestly, they probably could use a little (rain) to help these shucks go ahead and open up good. If …
H-2A Complicated but Necessary Program
Alabama to Host Pair of Meetings for Specialty Crop Producers By Clint Thompson The H-2A program is a complicated process for the most experienced agricultural employer. It can be intimidating for those beginning users just learning how to use the program. Adam Rabinowitz, Alabama Extension economist, is helping lead a pair of meetings on Nov. 2 at Jefferson State Community …
U.S. Drought Monitor: Dry Conditions Continue to Linger Throughout Southeast
The lingering drought over much of the Southeast is intensifying in the Florida Panhandle, South Alabama and North Georgia areas, according to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Severe dry conditions are observed in Escambia County in the Florida Panhandle and stretch to Jackson County. Moderate dry conditions are seen from Bay County to Jefferson and Taylor counties. Abnormally …
Sneak Peek: November 2022 Specialty Crop Industry Magazine
The November issue of Specialty Crop Industry Magazine provides a look at Hurricane Ian and its impact on Florida’s blueberry and strawberry crops. The storm passed through Florida in late September. It brought rains and heavy winds that flooded blueberry bushes and delayed strawberry plantings. Denise Attaway, a writer/editor for the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences at Clemson …
Tomato Prices High Following Hurricane Ian
By Clint Thompson Tomato prices are extremely high right now. Unfortunately, there’s not much supply for growers to take advantage. “North Florida and South Georgia are probably the only domestic supply of tomatoes we’ve got for the foreseeable future,” said Josh Freeman, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) associate professor in horticultural science. Freeman estimated those …
Dry Conditions Across Southeast Will Only Get Drier
By Clint Thompson Dry conditions persist across the Southeast. It is only going to get drier. All of Alabama and most of Georgia is at least abnormally dry, as well as the Florida Panhandle. Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist, believes conditions will worsen over the next couple of weeks. “It’s dry, and I don’t think we’re going …