Increased rainfall is expected this week throughout the Southeast (SE), according to the University of Georgia (UGA) Extension Climate Blog. Most areas in the region should receive at least an inch of rain, says Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist. Southwest Alabama could see additional rainfall from the remains of Potential Tropical Cycle 4. Areas along the East …
Increased Rainfall, Fewer Drought Areas in SE
By Clint Thompson Rainfall has been more frequent in recent weeks leading to fewer dry areas across the Southeast (SE), according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. What were abnormally dry areas across all of northern Alabama have been isolated to the northwest part of the state. Lauderdale, Lawrence and Limestone counties remain moderately dry, while Franklin, Winston and Morgan counties …
Scouting for Fall Armyworms
By Clint Thompson Now is the time of year that fall armyworms make their presence known in Alabama. Eric Schavey, regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama, said turf producers and some vegetable growers need to be mindful of the insects, which start to appear in late July and early August. “Fall armyworms, there’s some out. I haven’t seen any damage …
UGA Pecan Specialist: Growers Need a Good Year
By Clint Thompson Pecan producers desperately need a productive season in yields and prices following years of frustration on the heels of Hurricane Michael in 2018. The growers could get their wish. Farmers could see high yields combined with favorable market prices, which should add up to the best season in years for producers. “This year it looks like we’ve …
Dry Conditions Remain Across Southeast
By Clint Thompson Rainfall has helped alleviate some of the dry weather being felt in Georgia, Alabama and Florida, though abnormally dry conditions remain in multiple counties, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Georgia’s dry conditions are now spread in various counties throughout the state. The driest part of the state remains in Southeast Georgia where multiple counties are abnormally …
Bill to Prohibit the Chinese Communist Party from Purchasing American Land
Washington, D.C. — Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) introduced the Securing America’s Land from Foreign Interference Act earlier this month to prohibit members of the Chinese Communist Party from purchasing any land in the United States. Text of the bill may be found here. “Chinese investments in American farmland put our food security at risk and provide opportunities for …
Food Recalls vs. Outbreaks: What Growers Need to Know
By Camila Rodrigues The number of news stories on produce recalls from retail stores and outbreaks related to contaminated food have increased in recent years. These include recent cases of hepatitis A linked to fresh strawberries and several cases of E. coli outbreaks linked to romaine lettuce. The terms “recall” and “outbreak” can be very confusing since they are commonly …
August Make-or-Break Month for Pecans
By Clint Thompson August is the make-or-break month for pecan growers yearning to produce a crop this year and next season as well. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan specialist, discussed in Tuesday’s UGA Extension Pecan Blog various factors producers should consider. Irrigation applications should be at 100% by mid-August, which equates to between 3,600 and 4,000 gallons …
Too Much Rain Versus Not Enough
By Clint Thompson South Georgia’s specialty crop farmers will soon be planting their fall crops. Weather will once again factor in what growers will have to be concerned with over the next couple of months. Will it rain too much and sprout diseases? Will it suddenly turn dry and lead to increased insect pressure? Bhabesh Dutta, University of Georgia Cooperative …
U.S. Drought Monitor: Dry Conditions in Southeast
Abnormally dry conditions persist in various areas in Georgia, while north Alabama remains abnormally dry as well. Only a couple of counties in Florida are abnormally dry, according to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Northwest Georgia and southwest Georgia are abnormally dry. There is also a small portion of Calhoun, Dougherty, Baker and Terrell counties in the southwestern …