By Clint Thompson The lingering heat wave sweltering the Southeast could impact grape production this season. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist Phil Brannen discussed the impact that temperatures approaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit could have on grape production, especially the younger vines. “I suspect there’s a good bit of stress going on with the vines right now. Unfortunately, …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Weekly Crop Updates
Clemson Extension agents provide crop updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Coastal Region Zack Snipes reports, “It is hot and very, very dry in the Lowcountry. We desperately need some rain on the coast. Many irrigation ponds are at very low levels and may only have a …
Heat, Dry Conditions Worsening Across Southeast
The heat and dry conditions intensified last week across the Southeast, especially in Georgia where most of the state is either abnormally dry, moderately dry or severely dry. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, all of North Georgia is at least abnormally dry. A pair of regions in the northeastern part of the state are moderately dry. The worst conditions …
Extreme Heat Sweltering Watermelon Crop
By Clint Thompson Extreme heat the past couple of weeks should lead to an early end for watermelon harvests across the Southeast. Especially with temperatures this week eclipsing 100 degrees Fahrenheit, watermelons ripen quicker, leading to fields being done earlier than expected. “Everything is based on growing degree days. We accumulate a lot more growing degree days when it’s 100 …
Heat Impact on Georgia Watermelons
By Clint Thompson High temperatures in Georgia the past couple of weeks should have a positive and negative impact on the state’s melon crops. Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, discussed what growers experience when temperatures near 100 degrees Fahrenheit (F). “I think the quality of the fruit is going to …
Drought Worsens in Georgia
The drought in Georgia intensified over the past week, while there are only sporadic locations of abnormally dry conditions in Alabama and Florida, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Georgia’s dry conditions encompass most of the southern region of the state and stretch as far north as Franklin and Hart counties in Northeast Georgia. Multiple areas are even observing moderately …
Bumper Pecan Crop in 2022?
By Clint Thompson Hurricane Michael’s impact on the pecan industry in the Southeast still impacts pecan crop producers almost four years later. Samantha McLeod, executive director of the Georgia Pecan Growers Association, explains how the storm disrupted the trees’ bearing process. It led to a bumper crop in 2020. Another is expected this season. “We are anticipating a bumper crop …
Lack of Rain, No Problem for Alabama Specialty Crops
By Clint Thompson It may have been a dry spring and early summer across the Southeast, but some specialty crops actually thrived under the drought-like conditions. Chip East, Alabama regional Extension agent, discussed the impact the lack of rainfall has had on his farmers’ specialty crops in East Alabama. “Strawberries were good. Blueberries and blackberries are irrigated, and they look …
Rain Events Help Across Southeast
Increased rain events across the Southeast are alleviating more of the drought-like conditions being felt in Alabama, Georgia and Florida, according to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Sporadic areas in Alabama are abnormally dry. These include Morgan, Cullman, Jefferson and Cherokee counties in the northern area of the state. Also, a small part of Henry County along the …
Storms’ Impact on Blueberries
By Clint Thompson Last weekend’s heavy rains in South Florida reminds the state’s blueberry producers the vulnerability of their crop during hurricane season. The combination of strong winds and prolonged rain showers provide a threat to blueberries, says Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry Extension coordinator. “It depends on whether we get wind, …