The drought is intensifying across southeastern states, specifically Florida, Georgia and Alabama. Severe dry conditions are being observed in the Florida Panhandle, southern Alabama and North Georgia areas, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Moderate dry conditions in South Alabama stretch from Mobile and Baldwin counties in the Gulf of Mexico to Henry and Houston counties in Southeast Alabama. Moderate …
What’s Happening? Clemson Extension Agents Provide Updates on Crops
Weekly Field Update – 11/7/22 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, “Strawberry plants have arrived in the last two weeks and are in the ground. Overall, plantings look good. One thing to consider is using overhead irrigation to …
Apps Ease the Task of Fertigation for Growers
By Denise Attaway The days of manually calculating numbers on spreadsheets to determine how much liquid fertilizer should be used to fertigate crops may soon be gone, thanks to new web-based calculators (apps) from Clemson University. The Clemson Center Pivot Fertigation Calculator and Clemson Drip Fertigation Calculator are free apps created by the Clemson Cooperative Extension Service precision agriculture team …
Whitefly Pressure Varies Across Florida
Whitefly pressure in Southwest Florida has increased in previous weeks as rains have decreased, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. However, levels are about the same for this time of year. Some young fields are being flooded with adults from neighboring mature fields, and management is necessary. There is moderate pressure on melons, while low to moderate …
Decision 2022: Mid-Terms Will Have Far-Reaching Implications on Agriculture
By Clint Thompson What voters decide on Tuesday will have far-reaching implications on the agricultural sector, including the upcoming Farm Bill. Mary Kay Thatcher, senior manager in federal government and industry relations with Syngenta, emphasizes the ramifications of what transpires at the polls during these mid-term elections. “Mid-terms are always really important. I know a big part of our population …
Florida Ag Expo Explores Fresh Produce Trends
By Frank Giles The 14th annual Florida Ag Expo was held on Nov. 2 at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma, Florida. The event was well attended by specialty crop growers, industry representatives and commercial suppliers. The event hosted a wide-ranging educational program touching on trends in produce marketing, the economy and the supply chain outlook for crop protection products. Breakout …
Sweet Valley Citrus Ahead of Schedule This Season
Citrus producers in the Sweet Valley Citrus region are about a week or two ahead of schedule this season. The area consists of a tri-state zone in North Florida, South Alabama and South Georgia. Grower Kim Jones attributes the accelerated harvest this year to the cooler temperatures the region received during October. Jones, president of the Cold Hardy Citrus Association, said about …
Florida BMP Inspections Put on Hold
The requirement that the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) conduct Best Management Practice (BMP) implementation verification visits has been temporarily suspended for several counties impacted by Hurricane Ian. The action was taken Oct. 31 by Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried. The 60-day suspension is effective for the counties of Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, …
Diesel Shortage? Higher Costs Could Impact SE
By Clint Thompson A challenging season for the specialty crop industry could be exacerbated if fears of a potential diesel shortage come to fruition. Mansfield Energy, a major provider of fuel delivery, announced in late October that it was moving to Alert Level 4 to address market volatility. It moved the Southeast (SE) to Code Red, requesting a 72-hour notice …
Busy Day at Successful Florida Ag Expo
By Clint Thompson Farmers, industry leaders and exhibitors flocked to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) in Wimauma, Florida, on Wednesday for the annual Florida Ag Expo. Attendees were treated to educational sessions designed to help producers manage their crops more efficiently while preparing them for future success. They …