By Clint Thompson The calm after the storm seems to have hit north Alabama. In a summer highlighted by persistent rains, the north Alabama region has experienced sunnier days recently. It has Doug Chapman, Alabama Extension agent for Commercial Horticulture in North Alabama, optimistic for what remains for his farmers’ vegetable and specialty crops. “It rained on the first of …
Grapes of Wrath: Wet Summer Impacting Fruit Development, Quality
By Clint Thompson Like other crops produced in Georgia and Alabama, grapes are not immune to the impact of the excessive rains being experienced across the Southeast this summer. They are impacting production, says Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Fruit Disease Specialist. “It’s wet. We’ve definitely had plenty of rain, very little drying time. It seems like it …
Wet Summer Effect: Sanitation Key in Protecting Fall Crops From Diseases
By Clint Thompson A wet summer means plant diseases are rampant across the entire gamut of vegetable and specialty crop production. As Georgia producers prepare for the upcoming fall season, they need to do all they can to protect against disease inoculum that might linger in leftover fruit and vegetable crops. This is especially true for watermelon producers, says Tim …
Summer Rains Impacting Pecan Quality, Quantity
By Clint Thompson Pecan quality and quantity is expected to take a hit during the upcoming season. The quantity is not a surprise following last year’s crop. The quality is a result of increased scab disease pressure following persistent rains this summer. “Our young trees is where most of the crop is going to come from this year,” Lenny Wells, …
Seeking Sunshine: North Alabama Feeling Impact of Persistent Rains
By Clint Thompson Unless you’ve been asleep for the last two months, you know how wet it has been across the Southeast. Persistent rains have been the story for farmers across the region, especially in north Alabama. Fortunately, the wet weather has slowed in recent days, according to Eric Schavey, Regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama. “Rain’s kind of backed …
Cooler, Wetter Weather Reported in July
It comes as no surprise to anyone in the Southeast this summer that July is cooler and wetter than normal in most areas. This is according to Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension Agricultural Climatologist. Knox reported in her University of Georgia Extension Climate and Agriculture blog that even with the warmer temperatures being experienced this week, cooler temperatures and …
UGA Vegetable Specialist: If it Dries Up (This) Week, We Should be in Good Shape
By Clint Thompson Daily rainfall this summer is not ideal for Georgia’s vegetable and specialty crop farmers. It is especially concerning for those growers gearing up for fall plantings. But it could be a lot worse, says Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. “I will say, particularly for South Georgia, we’re …
UGA Pecan Specialist: Apocalyptic Scab Weather We’re Having Right Now
By Clint Thompson An already challenging time in the pecan industry is being made tougher this summer with the persistent rains. While the trees need rain to produce a crop in the fall, too much rain can lead to scab disease. With as much rain as being reported across Alabama and Georgia, a scab outbreak is quickly spiraling out of …
North Georgia Dealing with Excessive Rains
By Clint Thompson South Georgia is not the only part of the state receiving excessive rains this summer. The northern part of the state has received its share as well. It is impacting production at Jaemor Farms in Alto, Georgia, located just above Gainesville. Drew Echols, owner of Jaemor Farms, said his 20 acres of watermelons will be ready for …
Summer Rains Impacting Middle Alabama
By Clint Thompson Rainy days and wet field conditions add up to a frustrating summer for Alabama’s vegetable and specialty crop producers. “Soaking wet,” describes David Lawrence, regional Extension agent for commercial horticulture in middle Alabama. “Everything’s under water. Guys are having a hard time getting in the field, falling behind. Disease pressure is through the roof right now. Yep, …