Drought Update: Dry Conditions Worsening Across Southeast Region

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The lack of rainfall over the past week led to drought conditions worsening and expanding across areas of the Southeast, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor update. An extreme drought is observed in multiple areas across Alabama. One area is in the southwest part of the state in parts of Mobile, Baldwin, Washington, Clarke, Monrore, Conecuh and Escambia counties. North …

Drought Update in the Southeast

Web AdminDrought

The most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows nearly all of Alabama is in a moderate drought or worse; most of northern Georgia and the southwest part of the state are at least abnormally dry; while the Florida Panhandle is mostly severely dry. Alabama’s dry conditions have worsened in recent weeks. Little to no precipitation has been observed …

Chilli Thrips: Primary Pest of Florida Blueberries

Web AdminBlueberries, Florida, Pests

By Oscar Liburd and Doug Phillips Over the past few years, chilli thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis) have become the most important insect pest of Florida blueberries, causing substantial injury to plant foliage and typically requiring significant and costly chemical control measures. Chilli thrips have been an economically important pest of vegetable, fruit and ornamental crops throughout Asia, Africa, Oceania the Caribbean …

Drought Impact: Northeast Florida Experiencing Dry Conditions

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By Clint Thompson The lingering drought has spread across the Southeast and impacted various parts of Florida, specifically in the northeast part of the state. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, discusses the impact the dry weather is having in his area. “We’re very dry, and …

Drought Impact: Northeast Florida Experiencing Dry Conditions

Web AdminDrought, Florida, Weather

By Clint Thompson The lingering drought has spread across the Southeast and impacted various parts of Florida, specifically in the northeast part of the state. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, discusses the impact the dry weather is having in his area. “We’re very dry, and …

Drought Monitor Update: Conditions Worsening Across Southeast Region

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By Clint Thompson The lingering drought conditions are worsening and expanding across the Southeast. The drought blankets all of Alabama. It covers all of western Georgia and into the northeast part of the state. The Florida Panhandle and Northeast Florida are mostly dry. This is according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Most of Alabama is at least moderately dry, though, …

Florida Blueberry Growers Hope for a Better Season in 2024

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By Leonard Park The Florida blueberry season that began in the summer of 2022 culminated in one of the smallest spring harvests in years. The main culprit was Hurricane Ian. However, the lack of chill hours in December, followed by two harsh cold snaps over the holidays, affected other regions with damaged flower buds and crop delays. For most growers, …

Drought Spreading Across Southeast

Web AdminDrought, Weather

By Clint Thompson Drought-like conditions continue to spread across the Southeast, especially in Alabama, Florida and Georgia, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. All but a small portion of Alabama is experiencing dry conditions. They range in severity, from extreme drought in Mobile, Baldwin, Escambia, Conecuh and Monrore counties in Southwest Alabama, to abnormally dry conditions in the central and …

Producer Panel Discussion Part of Upcoming Florida Blueberry Conference

Web AdminBlueberries, Events, Florida

By Clint Thompson Labor remains a contentious issue for specialty crop producers in the Southeast. It will be highlighted during the upcoming Florida Blueberry Growers Association Conference and Trade Show. “It’s a topic with some really high interest among growers,” said Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry Extension coordinator. It has been widely …

2024 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Foundation announced on Tuesday that Eugene McAvoy, John Hoblick, and John Schlechter as the 2024 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees. The induction ceremony will be held at the Florida State Fair’s Agricultural Hall of Fame Banquet on February 13, 2024. “Today, I am proud …