Crops
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Bloomberg Businessweek had an interesting article last week on the rapid depletion of the Ogallala Aquifer, a huge underground water source that feeds agricultural irrigation in most of the central Plains. The aquifer is being rapidly depleted by overuse in many places, leading farmers to consider the need to switch from corn to less water…
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The National Wildlife Foundation recently released a new report on the importance of soil quality in producing sustainable agriculture. The report is entitled Can Soil Save Us? Making the Case for Cover Crops as Extreme Weather Risk Management. In the report it details the impacts healthy soil can have on reducing the effects of extreme weather,…
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Castor beans, which were grown in Florida in World War II and which can produce some components of military jet fuel, are currently being studied by University of Florida scientists to determine if they can be successfully grown as a commercial crop in the Southeast. Growing Georgia reported earlier this week (link) on some efforts…
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Growing Georgia posted an article from Clint Thompson of UGA about the impacts of the recent heat on watermelon farmers. The high temperatures and strong sunlight could cause sunburn on the nearly ripe melons, making them unattractive and less able to sell. Some farmers are using sprays to help protect the melons from sun scald,…
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Growing Georgia published an article last week noting that the yield of Vidalia onions this year was lower than normal due to wet conditions in April as well as temperatures as low as 15 degrees and high winds and hail which also damaged the onions. The hail caused enough damage that some farmers did not…
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A dome of high pressure is moving into the Southeast this weekend and should stay parked over the area for much of the week. The high pressure will suppress most thunderstorm activity and shunt rain off to the west of our region. Above normal temperatures and high humidities will make it feel occasionally like it is…
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With all the active weather this growing season, it’s no wonder there are a lot of stories about the impacts of the weather and climate conditions on crops. Here is a sampling of some of the stories I have seen lately. Heavy rains in the Midwest have caused problems for corn and soybean farmers. In…