We continue to struggle with tough conditions for some winter annuals. We are seeing some challenges locally in rye planted for forage and seed. I have only observed this in Wrens Abruzzi, but was informed Florida 401 would likely be more susceptible to foliar disease, but am not aware of any planted locally due to seed shortages. …
Looking back on previous posts on FLACROPS.com, I seem to have an infatuation with the El Nino conditions and the expectations for a possible cool, wet winter in the Southeast. However, some of our local farmers have felt like they just can’t buy a rain on their farm this winter and are wondering “What’s going on, …
Continue reading ‘Winter Annuals Struggle in Dry Conditions’ »
We have fortunately been an island of dryness on the Florida peninsula among a sea of rainfall in the Southeast. This has allowed good harvesting conditions in October and November. Area farmers have some work to do to get in their late soybean and sorghum crops, but conditions have been favorable. Local fields have been planted …
After a wet September in North Florida, area farmers were treated to a dry October with near perfect harvesting conditions. Many have gone out of their way to remind me I thought we could expect a cooler, wetter fall because of the conditions climatologists have called “Super El Nino.” I’ve heard enough jokes about guys …
In a year dominated by clouds and rainfall, local peanut fields have been inundated with plant diseases. Peanut farmers utilize fungicides to protect the leaves and the pods developing below ground. However, too much rainfall, while improving growing conditions for fungus, can also reduce the effectiveness of agri-chemicals. Researchers from the University of Florida were recently …
Continue reading ‘Researchers Study Genetic Diversity of Peanut Disease’ »
I was recently out with a peanut farmer struggling along with others in North Florida to harvest what has the potential to be a very good crop. Somewhat despaired by rainfall 7 of the last 9 days, he commented, “Is this El Niño?” This followed our previous conversations about being prepared for a high likelihood of above average precipitation …
North Florida farmers have been working hard to get their corn crops harvested. Silage harvest is mostly finished, and the earliest planted corn has air dried to about 16% moisture for those who don’t use driers. Late-March planted corn is being harvested and dried in between rain showers. Throughout North Florida, farmers are collecting data …
Judging by the condition of area peanut fields I’ve seen this week I would wager that everybody has some, either that they know about, or that they don’t know about. Although climatologists were expecting a warmer, drier summer in the Southeast, locally rainfall has been frequent and abundant. Diverse reports have been coming in: one …
It has been quite a relief to some local farmers, with the grain markets heading upwards and corn mostly past the dent stage, that we will pull off harvest of this corn crop. Corn silage harvest is well underway, and in just a few weeks grain combines will begin harvest. They tell me that the escaped …
Do you ever feel like you missed a week of your life? I’m beginning to wonder where time has gone as this corn crop is quickly wrapping up for the season in North Florida. There has been some chatter about Growing Degree Days (GDDs) well ahead of last year. I recently found the coolest tool yet …