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 Brock Family Farm, where Kirk Brock utilizes a rotation of corn, peanuts, and soybeans. Kirk described the land he farms not as dryland, but rather “irrigated by God.” If my memory …
Continue reading ‘Jefferson County Farm Tour Part 2 (Video)’ »
Many have commented that 2016 feels like a warmer summer so far. They are not speaking in terms of a temporary heat wave, but a sustained long-term temperature increase. Monitoring stations in Florida show these observations are in fact correct. North Florida is about 2-3 degrees above normal for daily average temperature from July 1 to present. In …
This time of year we often encounter citron melons in our crops and gardens. A citron is sometimes referred to as a stock melon or a preserving melon. The citron melon belongs to the same species as watermelon, but the fruit is inedible in the raw state. It should not be confused with the citron of the …
The recent increase in stink bug population is causing concerns for local pea, bean, and soybean producers. Researchers have noticed an increase in secondary insect pests, such as stink bug species, over the last few years as farmers have reduced their use of broad spectrum herbicides. Entomologist throughout the southeast United States believe the Redbanded stink bug could become …
Palmer amaranth is a weed known all too well by farmers in Columbia County. Its fast growth rate and resistance to herbicides is reason for concern among local producers. The weed can become an aggressive competitor against warm season crops, and a serious nuisance at harvest if not managed properly. The Weed Science Society of …
Continue reading ‘The Most Troublesome Weed: Palmer Amaranth’ »
Peanut farmers often come up a day late and a dollar short when it comes to the control of Tropical spiderwort, or Benghal dayflower (dayflower). I receive calls each year about harvest aid applications after the herbicide program completely failed. Dayflower control from mid to late season herbicide applications have proven to be inconsistent, which …
Continue reading ‘Benghal Dayflower Requires Timely Management’ »
As the economics get tighter, farmers are contemplating how far to stray from Georgia 06-G which has been a reliable cultivar for several years. Several farmers have mentioned looking at high oleic peanuts for a small premium, and we often wonder if one of the new cultivars offers higher yield potential or better disease tolerance. The broad recommendation is …
We have become accustomed to warm dry weather in April the last several years. That warmer weather allowed early planting of peanuts and good conditions for germination. University of Georgia has conducted trials for several years studying the relationship between soil temperature at planting and peanut yield. Results have been consistent and led to the recommendation of 68 F average …
Crop farmers across the USA are singing the blues as they wrap up their crop sales and accounting for the season. Locally, it appears there isn’t a crop farmer that I’ve talked to that didn’t have some struggles on one farm or another; either weather, pest, or equipment, that dinged overall yields. When coupled with the …
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 …