We have been seeing a large number of soybean loopers in area peanut fields. I have found up to 20 loopers per foot in some fields. In other fields we are finding very few caterpillars in total. Many of our fields are being sprayed with broad spectrum pyrethroid insecticides as leafhoppers build and are turning the …
I have been working with an Extension Intern this summer to collect information from farmers about challenges they encounter in integration of cattle and row crops in their operation. Many have indicated labor and expense of preparing grass fields for row crop planting is a barrier to rotation of grass with row crops. We are simultaneously …
More accurately, we aren’t out of the woods yet. Most years it seems we will treat a few peanut fields for cutworms early in the season. In my mind, that period of time is usually early June. However, it seems a little later this season and we are seeing a few problem fields crop up. I’ve been checking …
Farmers in North Florida have been voting with their pocketbook the last several years. The region was covered up in corn in 2013 with virtually every irrigated acre producing corn as a result of the Midwest drought of 2012. The summer of 2012 brought a large expansion in peanut acreage following a drought shortened southeastern …
Throughout North Florida farmers are busy with planters chasing the combine as small grains are being harvested and cash crops planted. We have been blessed with consistent rainfall the entire spring, and there has been plenty of moisture to get crops established without any issues. Most seasons farmers feel like they give up a little yield …
The peanut industry was patiently awaiting the Prospective Plantings report by USDA on March 31, 2014. Leading up to the report I saw several predictions in print of a 10-15% increase in planted acres. However this report apparently blasted those expectations. I guess we will know soon enough as peanut planters are now rolling in …
Conservation Farmers in North Central Florida are getting their corn crops planted and applying burndown herbicides. They know a thick mulch layer will keep soil temperatures lower and will conserve soil moisture from their non-irrigated fields until peanut and cotton planters roll in a few weeks. We have a wide variety of cover crops and …
Continue reading ‘Conservation Farmers and Soil Health Meeting (Video)’ »
Most of our local farmers are getting back to the business of planning their crop rotations and budgeting for 2014. We are starting to hear chatter about the Peanut Market and contracting opportunities. This is an important time for farmer planning so they have as much information available as possible. Mr. Jim Moore of JRJ …
In my recent Extension Advisory Committee meetings before wrapping up for 2013 one thing that was emphasized was economic sustainability must continue to be a component of UF/IFAS Extension programming. This was following a year where farmers watched corn drop from $7/bushel at planting time to $5 at harvest and cotton fall from 0.95/lb at …
There was an Urgent Notice released in the October 1 edition of Peanut Farm Market News. ” On October 1, 2013 all commodities, including peanuts, will have a 5.1% reduction in their respective marketing assistance loans. This reduction for peanuts will be approximately $18.11 per ton FSP on base grade. Instead of a $355 per ton …