Farmers and homeowners across parts of Florida, Alabama and Georgia felt the wrath of Hurricane-turned-Tropical Storm Sally this week. High winds and massive floods knocked out electricity for residents and impacted farmers’ crops. Kristin Woods, Alabama Regional Extension agent, who specializes in commercial horticulture and food safety, reminds growers about the ramifications of floodwaters that come in contact with edible …
Hurricane Sally Another Challenge for Alabama Hemp Producers
Another week, another challenge for Alabama’s hemp producers. The excessive rainfall that some areas in the state experienced because of Hurricane Sally, should impact the hemp crop, according to Katelyn Kesheimer, Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist. “The issue is there’s that 15-day testing window. So, you have to get an Ag inspector to come take a sample of …
Georgia Pecan Producers Wary of Storm’s Impact
Georgia pecan farmers are once again vulnerable to a fall storm as Hurricane Sally slowly moves across the state this week. Its presence reminds growers of Hurricane Michael in 2018. While Hurricane Sally is not expected to bring similar damage, it still is a subtle reminder of the impact a storm can have on the state’s pecan crop, especially this …
North Alabama Watermelons Winding Down
Watermelon season is winding down in Alabama this week. Just like its southern counterparts, north Alabama producers enjoyed a successful season, according Eric Schavey, Alabama Regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama “Overall, watermelons in our area, in Northeast Alabama was good,” said Schavey, who serves Blount County, Cherokee County, Cullman County, DeKalb County, Etowah County, Jackson County, Madison County and …
Florida Farmers Overcome COVID-19 Impacts
By: Tory Moore, 352-273-3566, torymoore@ufl.edu More than 70% of Florida’s large farms sell to the service industry which includes theme parks, hotels, restaurants and cruise lines. When COVID-19 brought the tourism industry to a crashing halt this spring, farmers around the state quickly pivoted to sell the bounty of fruit and vegetables that were at peak harvest. In a recently …
Vidalia Onion Farmers Already Planning for Bacterial Disease Management
Vidalia onion farmers are expected to begin planting the crop this week. Disease management is already on the minds of Georgia growers, following last year’s tough season with bacterial diseases, according to Chris Tyson, University of Georgia Extension Area Onion Agent at the Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia. “We had some bacterial disease issues this past …
Row Covers Protect Strawberries and Increase Yields?
Row Covers in strawberry fields can protect the crop from cold temperatures, fierce winds, devastating frost and persistent wildlife. But it can also potentially increase yields, according Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University. In research conducted this past year at the Wiregrass Research and Extension Center in Headland, Alabama, Vinson …
The COVID-19 Effect on Citrus Packing in Florida
Citrus Achievement Award winner Steven Callaham weighs in on issues brought on by the pandemic and adjusting for the future.
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Clemson Extension agents provided updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Coastal Zack Snipes reports, “The talk of the Lowcountry this week is transplant die off. We see lots and lots of transplant die off and the culprits are usually mole crickets, ants, or cutworms. Tunneling near the …
Section 201 Investigation Looking at Blueberry Industry as a Whole
A central point of the federal agencies’ plan to investigate unfair trade practices is the focus on blueberries. The crop has been widely impacted by Mexican imports, which growers attest drove prices down this year amid the coronavirus pandemic. The plan’s highlights include, the USTR (Office of the U.S. Trade Representative) will request the International Trade Commission to initiate a …