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A slow-moving front which will cross the Southeast in the next few days should bring much-needed rain to drought-stricken parts of Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. We may see some improvements in next week’s Drought Monitor as a result. By Thursday, the front should be out of the area, leading to dry conditions going into next…
Posted in: Climate outlooks -
Bloomberg.com has an interesting article this week about how natural disasters are costing farmers billions of dollars a year in damage to infrastructure, loss of livestock and crops, and challenges in getting food to markets. While the story discusses trends in natural disasters over time, I think another consideration is that producers are now more…
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The latest climate outlook for Spring 2018 from NOAA shows a continuing increased chance of above-normal temperatures across the Southeast but especially in Florida, with equal chances for near, below or above normal precipitation. Drought in southeastern Georgia is expected to expand due to the warm temperatures. You can watch a video which discusses the…
Posted in: Climate outlooks -
In addition to the impacts of the recent frost on Georgia peaches, blueberries have also been impacted by the cold temperatures. Farmers who used frost protection by irrigation or other means largely escaped damage but those who did not use frost protection are still assessing their losses. You can read more in The Packer here.
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The latest Drought Monitor shows that severe drought has expanded in southeastern Georgia. Abnormally dry conditions shrunk in Alabama but expanded in South Carolina. These trends are likely to continue in the next week as most of the rain that is expected will fall in central and north Alabama and Georgia.
Posted in: Drought -
The recent freezes that have affected north and central Georgia have caused a loss of peach blossoms of up to 30% in some areas, according to WSB-TV in Atlanta. This year, peach farmers were feeling hopeful after a cold late December and January gave the trees plenty of chill hours, unlike the past two winters.…
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The Packer noted this week that due to almost ideal weather conditions in February, Florida tomatoes are looking very good and should provide a bountiful harvest this year. Weather problems earlier in the winter reduced production but the warm weather in recent weeks has caused them to ripen quickly. You can read the article here.