Increased rain events across the Southeast are alleviating more of the drought-like conditions being felt in Alabama, Georgia and Florida, according to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Sporadic areas in Alabama are abnormally dry. These include Morgan, Cullman, Jefferson and Cherokee counties in the northern area of the state. Also, a small part of Henry County along the …
In-Depth Scouting Needed to Manage Insect Pests
By Clint Thompson More in-depth scouting is required by Alabama specialty crop producers hoping to maintain insect pests this summer season. It is not enough for growers to survey their crops by just looking at the plants. They need to examine the plants more closely to understand the significance of any impact. Ayanava Majumdar, Extension professor in entomology and plant …
Pecan Industry Leader Cautions Against Potential Surge in Scab Disease This Summer
By Clint Thompson Hot and dry spring weather conditions in the Southeast meant minimal scab disease pressure for pecan producers. But growers need to be mindful of a potential disease surge if rain persists this summer in the region. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist, cautions producers about the potential impact that scab disease can have at this …
Surging Input Costs Impact Florida’s Specialty Crop Season
By Clint Thompson Strong market prices for some specialty crops have been tempered by input costs that have spiked to levels many growers had not experienced before the COVID-19 pandemic. No Florida specialty crop producer was immune from feeling the financial pinch this year from rising expenses associated with fertilizer, chemicals, diesel and freight. “Our input costs are so much …
Recent Rainfall Alleviates Some Dry Conditions Across Southeast
Recent rainfall has helped alleviate the dry conditions in North Alabama and North Georgia, though various regions across the Southeast are still dry. According to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor, only Morgan, Jefferson and Henry counties are abnormally dry in Alabama. Most of the southern region of Georgia is either abnormally dry, moderately dry or severely dry. Dry …
Post-Harvest Control of Bud Mites Essential for Blueberry Producers
By Clint Thompson Multiple control methods are available for blueberry producers trying to manage bud mites. It starts post-harvest when scouting and management of the pests are most important, says Ash Sial, University of Georgia entomologist. “While they don’t seem to be a serious issue in most situations, in some situations they can causes extremely high levels of damage. Last …
Brown Rot Management Key for Peach Producers
By Clint Thompson Alabama Extension reminds peach producers that brown rot disease can flare up this time of year and wreak havoc on the remaining crop. That is why growers should be diligent with their preventative fungicide sprays, says David Lawrence, Alabama regional Extension agent. “It’s almost a given that if you don’t spray preventatively, you’re going to face it …
Southeast Farm Labor Update
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service, there were 30,000 farm labor workers hired directly by farmers in the Southeast, including Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina, during the week of April 10-16. Florida producers hired 28,000 during the same timeframe. Southeast farm operators paid hired farm labor workers an average gross wage rate of $13.76 per …
What Southeast Citrus Growers Should Be Watching For
A prolonged dry spell across the Southeast should have citrus growers ensuring their young trees are properly irrigated. But Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and small fruits pathologist, cautions growers about applying too much water. “The real young trees don’t have much of a root system, of course. It has been pretty dry. But you don’t want …
U.S. Drought Monitor Update: Dry Conditions Persist
Much-needed rainfall this week across the Southeast has done little to alleviate the drought conditions in Florida, Georgia and Alabama, according to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. The southern region of Florida remains mostly abnormally dry, though Highlands, Okeechobee, Indian River, Saint Lucie and parts of Martin, Palm Beach and Glades counties are moderately dry. Abnormally dry conditions …