Widespread drought continues in Alabama, as nearly 84 percent of the state is in severe drought. In fact, 55 percent of the state’s soil and subsoil moisture is reported to be “very short.” Even with these conditions, producers are still hard at work bringing in this year’s crop. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), 96 percent of the …
South Carolina Drought Affecting Crop Yields
By Karla Arboleda Coupled with high temperatures, the recent drought in South Carolina is affecting crop yields in peanuts and cotton. The combination of hot and dry weather will result in lower crop yields, according to Charles Davis, a county Extension agent at Clemson University. Peanut and cotton harvests are underway. Davis explained how yield results also depend on the …
Two Alabama Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties Also Available WASHINGTON (USDA/FSA-Oct. 10, 2019) — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated two Alabama counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers in Chilton and Shelby counties who suffered losses due to recent drought may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans. This natural disaster designation allows …
RCPP Partner Portal is Now Open and Accepting Applications
We told you last week that USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) had announced the launch of the updated Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Potential partners are encouraged to submit proposals that will improve the nation’s water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural viability. This week, NRCS put out a reminder that the RCPP Partner Portal is open …
Drought in Southeast Takes Toll on Pasture Conditions
While relief from heat and dry conditions across the Southeast is in the forecast for some areas, the lack of topsoil moisture continues to be a major factor. According to a story from Stephanie Ho, poor pasture conditions in our area and other parts of the country largely reflect areas where there is drought. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsMarch 1, …
Fried to Roll Out Climate Change Priorities
(NSF-Oct. 2, 2019) — Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried on Thursday plans to roll out legislative priorities focused on climate change. Warning of greater coastal flooding and more powerful hurricanes, the package will address issues such as renewable energy, farm resilience, climate adaptation, new funding sources and financial incentives, Fried said Wednesday as she helped open the Florida Energy and Climate …
Alabama Extension Offers Drought Resources
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, AL (ACES-Oct. 1, 2019) — Conditions in Alabama are hot and dry. Strings of days with record-breaking heat have made September 2019 one of the hottest Septembers on record. The heat and drought are nothing new, though. While only .2 percent of the state is in extreme drought according to the U.S. Drought Monitor’s latest release, nearly 83 percent …
UF Researchers Link Increasing Seasonal Drought to Longer Fire Seasons
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (UF/IFAS) — A new study from University of Florida (UF) researchers examines the relationship between wet and dry season length and the potential for lightning-ignited fires. The study, led by faculty from the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences School of Forest Resources and Conservation (SFRC), highlights trends in dry season length in the southeastern region of …
Farmers Preparing for Drought Conditions
While recent rains were welcome, more than 34 percent of Alabama still faces abnormally dry or moderate drought conditions. This has many livestock producers worried about providing their animals with enough to eat and drink. Landon Marks, an Alabama Extension animal science regional agent, said some northeastern Alabama areas are starting to see effects of the abnormally dry weather. “Water …
Agri View: Cloud Seeding for Rain
Everett Griner talks about cloud seeding still being studied in today’s Agri View. Cloud Seeding for Rain You know, it was many years ago that farmers fought drought, and dry weather, by seeding the clouds. That is, they hired aviators to fly into what clouds existed to spray them with a designated chemical that would produce rain. It produced results, …