Farmers in Columbia County have faced dry conditions the last 30 days which resulted in poor planting conditions for crops. Rainfall on April 4th, 5th, and 6th replenished soil moisture and allowed a timely start to the season. However, evaporation from the sandy soil left only a short window of suitable conditions. Farmland without irrigation …
As I walk peanut fields, it becomes clear that we are “back to the drawing board” with our weed control programs. Lack of rainfall has resulted in failure to incorporate pre-emerge herbicides into the weed seed emergence zone. Dr. Jason Ferrell, UF/IFAS Weed Scientist, recently shared some timely information on herbicide incorporation at Panhandle Ag. Some key …
Continue reading ‘Widespread Failure of PRE Herbicides (AKA Failure to Rain)’ »
We are wrapping up peanut harvest in north Florida, and farmers are reporting variable results this year. Irrigation had some benefits in our drier areas, although it did not completely alleviate effects of high temperatures this season. Harvesting weather has been near ideal, with few rain events during the months of September and October. The sandy …
Continue reading ‘Feeding America…..One PEANUT at a Time (video)’ »
Just a few months ago, we were looking at excessive and growing carryover supplies in the peanut industry. The carryover is basically the surplus peanut inventory “carried over” into the next crop year. There is a traditional target carryover of about 500-600,000 tons, which allows about 3 months supply. This supply is needed to keep peanut …
Mild September weather has been favorable for farmers in Columbia County to harvest the peanut crop. Following a dry start to the season, conditions were overall favorable for a good crop. Farmers in the county are reporting only 6 days with measurable rainfall in September. Rainfall associated with the remnants of Hurricane Hermine the first …
Peanut harvest was off to a good start in North Florida until our recent rain delay from Tropical Storm Hermine. In the meanwhile, we have been doing some maturity testing or “pod blasting” of our mid-April planted peanuts. These peanuts appear to be ready at about 135 after planting so far. Early harvest reports are of …
We were fortunate across north Florida to receive crop saving rains at the end of July and through August. There probably couldn’t have been a more perfect timing for pegging and pod fill of peanuts, and setting pods in soybeans. However, we are into our typical problems of August with plant disease and insects. If …
Continue reading ‘The Footsteps of the Farmer are the Best Fertilizer’ »
The USDA Agricultural Statistics Service recently released the 2016 Peanut Crop Estimate. Another high yielding crop, averaging 3,990 pounds per acre is predicted. This is largely a result of favorable weather in the Southeast US peanut growing areas. Georgia once again leads the way, expected to produce 55% of the national crop on a slightly …
A highlight of the recent 2016 Columbia County Peanut Twilight Tour was the presentation by an enthusiastic Tyron Spearman. Mr. Spearman is the Executive Secretary of the National Peanut Buying Points Association. This followed on the heels of an uninspiring report from Spearman in 2015 at last year’s Twilight Tour. The industry faced growing concerns …
The Tri-State Row Crop Climate Learning Network was treated to a tour of several farms in the Monticello area, hosted by UF/IFAS Extension Jefferson County. The tour included a visit to the Fulford Family Farm, where Earnest Fulford is effectively integrating bahaigrass and cattle into his cropping system. Earnest had the opportunity to work with a landowner to develop …