By Clint Thompson Despite a recent drop in the number of growers, interest in grape production still remains in the Southeast region in Alabama and Georgia, according to Sarah Lowder, University of Georgia (UGA) viticulture Extension specialist. “It’s something where I think we definitely have seen a slowdown from, five years ago or so, 5 to 10 years ago, where …
Drought Update: Rain Helpful With Current Dry Conditions
By Clint Thompson A week of rainy weather did a lot to reduce the drought-like conditions being experienced across the Southeast, including Alabama, Georgia and Florida, according to the June 25 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Alabama One of the driest parts of Alabama remains in the southeastern part of the state. But it has been reduced to abnormally …
Bacterial Spot Becoming Problem on Untreated Peaches
By Clint Thompson Peach management this year changed quickly in the last few weeks. The drought to start the year reduced disease buildup in orchards in Georgia and Alabama. However, with the recent increase in rainfall, bacterial spot disease is starting to spike in untreated peaches. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist, noted the development in …
Drought Impacting Irrigation Needs
The next harvest season may still be months away for Florida citrus growers, but management remains a weekly duty. That involves a plethora of chores for grove owners this summer, says Matt Smith, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension agent for Lake and Orange counties. “Growers definitely need to keep irrigation in mind. And of course, …
Alabama Pumpkin Growers Need Dry Weather to Plant This Year’s Crop
By Clint Thompson North Alabama is one of the few areas in the Southeast not suffering through drought conditions anymore. But the increased rainfall in recent weeks has caused concern for the region’s pumpkin growers looking to plant this year’s crop. Eric Schavey, regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama, talked about the challenge facing his area’s pumpkin farmers. “We could …
Early-Season Peaches Lacking in Central Alabama
By Clint Thompson Like in most areas in the Southeast, Central Alabama’s peach crop was impacted by freezing temperatures in mid-March. It wiped out early peach varieties, according to David Lawrence, regional Extension agent in central Alabama. That has changed since, however. “We didn’t have a great early season or early crop. A lot of our mid-season varieties are coming. …
Web-Based Tools to Predict Strawberry, Tomato Yields Faster
To make a successful return on their investment, growers need to accurately predict how much crop they might produce in a given season. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers are developing web-based tools that incorporate artificial intelligence to help producers with yield predictions. Such forecasts are critical. In Florida, the production value for strawberries was …
Increased Moisture Potentially Devastating to South Georgia Melons
By Clint Thompson Increased rainfall across South Georgia in recent weeks is not ideal timing for the area’s watermelon producers in the middle of harvesting this year’s crop. “We’d prefer it, obviously, like we’ve talked about many times, the drier the better for most vegetables, especially, all watermelons are (already) under irrigation,” said Tim Coolong, professor in the University of …
Integrated Weed Management Best Approach
By Clint Thompson Laser weeders and mechanical weeders may one day have their place as viable options in weed management for farmers, but they should be utilized in an integrated program, says University of Georgia Extension weed scientist Stanley Culpepper. “The new tools and the new technologies, they’re certainly exciting, what they’re able to do, but I think it’s important …
Florida Hops Research Offers Bright Spot as Craft Beer Market Slows
Despite a recent softening in demand for craft beer, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) experts say there’s reason for optimism – especially as researchers supply Florida-grown hops to the state’s brewers. At the June 2 Hops Field Day at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC), attendees got a front-row look at how UF/IFAS researchers are working to strengthen the state’s craft-beer ecosystem …



















