Peanuts were planted into tough conditions this Spring in north Florida. Many fields now have skippy stands, and we have questions about replanting. However, until only recently we were not offered the rainfall and improved planting conditions, and what has become weeks of rainfall has kept us out of the fields. Some farmers have questioned whether seed …
Small grains harvest is underway in North Florida. This includes rye, wheat, and oats. There are not any local milling operations that use wheat for flour, thus the wheat crop is typically delivered to a local elevator and used for a feed ingredient. Rye and oats are usually saved for bagging and subsequent seed sales in the Fall. …
Continue reading ‘Small Grains Harvest in Columbia County’ »
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)’ »
Recent rainfall was very welcome by farmers and ranchers in north central Florida. However, it will do little to make up for the dry conditions experienced from October through March. Southeast Climate Perspectives from the Southeast Regional Climate Center shows that the total rainfall for the 6 month period from October 1 to March 31 …
Continue reading ‘Long Dry Spell Punctuated by Heavy Rains’ »
Thanks to Mr. Jonathan Carter from Florida Olive Farms & Mill for welcoming a large crowd of participants to his farm in Live Oak for the Florida Olive Field Day. A large group turned out to learn about opportunities and challenges with this crop. Mr. Carter also showed the group the mill that is used …
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 …