Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Midlands Justin Ballew reports, “Last week was cooler and felt like spring again, but that seems to be gone now. We got a little rain late last week (0.4 inches on our weather station in Lexington), though …
Compost and Cover Crops Improve Soil Health in Citrus
By Tacy Callies Citrus grower Sonny Conner recently hosted a group from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for what he called his “Clint Eastwood tour of the good, the bad and the ugly.” While some of his trees are too far gone from citrus greening (the bad and the ugly) to be resuscitated, many more …
Potential Diesel Shortage: ‘What’s Next?’
By Clint Thompson Diesel prices spiked to an all-time high this week. A potential shortage could soon spike fears among specialty crop producers who utilize diesel every day. Some farmers are flabbergasted by the prospect of not having enough diesel to operate normal day-to-day operations on the farm. Drew Echols, owner of Jaemor Farms in Alto, Georgia, and president of …
What’s Happening? Alabama Extension Plant Pathologist Provides Disease Update
By Clint Thompson There have been no signs of downy mildew disease in Alabama vegetable crops, while tomato spotted wilt has been observed in one tomato field. Those are observations shared by Ed Sikora, professor and Extension plant pathologist in the department of entomology and plant pathology at Auburn University. One of the main points so far this season is …
Drought Worsening Across Southeast
Drought conditions are worsening and expanding in areas across the Southeast, according to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. The worst conditions in Florida reside in the southern region of the state. From Hillsborough, Polk and Osceola counties to as far south as Broward and Miami-Dade counties, the areas are either in an abnormal drought or moderate drought. Parts …
Botrytis Resistance Testing Key for Strawberry, Grape Producers
By Clint Thompson A University of Georgia Extension fruit disease specialist encourages grape and strawberry producers who are concerned that botrytis resistance is developing to their fungicides to comply with testing procedures at Clemson University. Phil Brannen stresses that growers should be concerned with potential resistance forming to the botrytis disease. “Botrytis as a fungus is more adept at developing …
Dealing With Different Drought Types
By Pam Knox Dealing with drought is something that all growers need to face from time to time. Drought is a natural part of the climate system, but it can look very different depending on where it occurs. Drought is a lack of enough water for what farmers (and their crops) need. Climatologists define four different kinds of drought, each …
Sweet Corn Challenges in Florida
By Clint Thompson Florida’s sweet corn producers are feeling the pinch of various factors affecting consumer demand this season; most notably, the inflationary prices and colder spring weather up north. Both contributed to suppressed prices for the state’s growers, says Tori Rumenik, commodity service and supply chain manager for the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association. “Our product goes to retail. …
Plum Curculio Currently Not a Concern for Florida Peach Producers
By Clint Thompson Plum curculio is not currently a pest for most Florida peach producers. But that shouldn’t deter growers from keeping a watchful eye and ensuring the insect does not become a problem in the future. Amanda Hodges, an Extension scientist at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences entomology and nematology department, discusses the impact …
Florida Blueberry Grower: We’re Getting Squeezed
By Clint Thompson Florida blueberry producers continue to feel the sting of increased imports from Mexico. What should have been a profitable year for those growers who had a crop this season was anything but. It was due to Mexican blueberries stealing the marketing window away from Florida blueberry growers, believes Florida farmer Ryan Atwood. “Considering as little of volume …