Acreage Increase for North Florida Watermelons in 2025?

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon acreage does not figure to decrease in 2025; not after the successful seasons farmers have experienced the last two seasons, says Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “I think if we settle that there were 1,000 more acres last year, …

Southeast Covered in Drought Conditions

Clint ThompsonDrought

By Clint Thompson According to the latest release of the U.S. Drought Monitor, almost all of the Southeast is experiencing some level of dry conditions. All of Florida is either abnormally dry or moderately dry. The worst conditions are observed in the Florida Panhandle and Northeast Florida. Moderate conditions start in Escambia County and stretch eastward to Gadsden, Liberty and …

Drought Update Across Southeast Region

Clint ThompsonUncategorized

All of Alabama is experiencing dry conditions. North Florida’s drought is worsening, while all of western and northern Georgia is at least abnormally dry. This is according to the most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Most of the southern and central portions of Alabama are either moderately dry or severely dry.  Severe conditions start in Mobile County, expanding …

Registration Ongoing for Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Registration is currently underway for the Southeast (SE) Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference, scheduled for Jan. 9-11, 2025 in Savannah, Georgia. The three-day event is catered to specialty crop producers in the Southeast, including Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina. Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), talked about …

Drought Conditions Remain Across Much of Southeast Region

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Drought

By Clint Thompson Much of the Southeast continues to endure drought-like conditions, according to the most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Only south-central Georgia and southern Florida has sufficient moisture. Alabama remains the state hit worst by the current dry conditions. All of Alabama is suffering some level of dry conditions. Extreme drought is being observed in southern …

GT Thompson Leads Bipartisan Tour of Hurricane Damage in Florida, Georgia

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Georgia

House Committee on Agriculture Chairman GT Thompson was part of a recent bipartisan tour of hurricane damage sustained in Florida and Georgia. He released the following statement: “Traveling to the Southeast, I was able to see firsthand the devastating impact of the recent hurricanes. Hurricanes Milton and Helene hit our agricultural sector especially hard, highlighting the urgent need for disaster …

November Storm: What Remains of Sara to Impact Florida, Gulf Coast

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson A November tropical storm threat is not uncommon for the Southeast. That means increased rainfall chances this week for the region’s specialty crop producers from what remains of Tropical Storm Sara. The storm formed in the western Caribbean, made its way into the Gulf of Mexico over the weekend and is slated to impact parts of the …

Looming La Niña’s Impact in Southeast

Clint ThompsonWeather

By Clint Thompson The Southeast has yet to enter an official La Niña weather pattern. But it’s inevitable. Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist, said the current temperature threshold has prevented weather experts from declaring an official La Niña. But it’s inevitable. It’s just a matter of how long it takes and its impact on the Southeast. “They …

Management Options for Florida Blueberry Growers in November

Clint ThompsonBlueberries, Florida

Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry Extension coordinator, is advising blueberry growers about management options they need to consider during November. Producers should continue monitoring and managing leaf diseases, especially in evergreen systems. It is the time for blueberry farmers to begin monitoring for blueberry gall midge. They can use bucket traps (3 …