The numbers are staggering. Farmers older than 65 outnumber farmers under 35 by five to one. In the next 20 years, 70% of U.S. farmland will change ownership. Seventy-seven percent of that land will transfer to relatives. That means succession planning and estate planning should be major focuses for farm families in years to come. An industry survey showed that …
Florida Watermelon Industry to Feel Impact of Freeze
By Clint Thompson The late-January freeze event that devastated some specialty crops in Florida likely impacted watermelon plants already in the ground. South Florida producers start planting in late December, so much of the crop was at least a month old when it encountered sub-freezing temperatures on Jan. 30. How that will impact the crop in North Florida and South …
Hemp Production: Know Your End Game
By Clint Thompson Alabama hemp producers need to understand the risks of growing hemp before they begin planting. It starts with knowing what you’re going to do with the product following harvest. It is a point that Katelyn Kesheimer, Auburn University assistant professor and Extension specialist, still emphasizes to growers. “What are they going to do with their crop at …
A Recipe for Sustained Success
By Clint Thompson There are multiple ingredients in John L. Hundley’s recipe for agricultural success: hard work, a capable supporting staff and willingness to adapt to the changing times. This is what has sustained Hundley Farms for more than 50 years and why Hundley will be inducted into the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame on Feb. 15. “The bottom line …
Why Not Do It? Hedging Pecan Trees Provides Multiple Advantages
By Clint Thompson There are so many advantages to growers hedging their pecan trees, there is no reason not to do it. That is the mindset shared by Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist. He continues to implore Southeast pecan producers to hedge their trees this offseason. “You minimize the alternate bearing. You get better quality and get …
Plan Now, Reap Rewards Later
By Clint Thompson Now is the time for growers to make preparations for the upcoming spring season. Jessie Rowan, Alabama regional Extension agent, who specializes in commercial horticulture and farm and agribusiness management, explains why. “Come end of February, March and early April, they’ll do a lot of that physical preparing of the land, of the crops. Now they’re doing …
Chill Accumulation Update for Georgia Peaches
The number of chilling hours for Georgia peaches are just below last year but above marks recorded in 2018-2019 and 2019-2020, according to the University of Georgia (UGA) Extension peach blog. The number of hours are classified in two different models; the Weinberger model (number of hours below 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F)); and the modified Weinberger model (number of hours …
How to Protect Young Peaches from Plum Curculio
The onset of spring means preparing for insect pests if you are a fruit tree producer. Plum curculio is the most destructive insect that attacks early-season fruit. “If you have fruiting trees, especially peaches, now is the time to ramp up your monitoring efforts for plum curculio to determine if and when management decisions will need to be made,” urged …
What’s Happening? Clemson Extension Agents Provide Updates
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Coastal Region Rob Last reports, “Strawberries in the area look good, with some new leaf development emerging from the crown. Boron applications are being applied, either as a foliar application or through the drip system. Remember, we …
Growth Update: Vidalia Onions Further Along Than Previous Year
By Clint Thompson Normal harvest time for Georgia’s Vidalia onions is usually the beginning of April. That timeframe may be expedited a few days if the current growth of the crop is any indication. According to Chris Tyson, University of Georgia Extension Area Onion Agent at the Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia, the progression of this …