With the 2020 Hurricane Season here, and the fact forecasters have predicted an active one, workers are finishing repairs in Florida from Hurricane Michael which hit back in October of 2018. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provided $20 million in Bay, Gulf, Gadsden and Walton counties to remove debris in canals, ditches and streams to prevent flooding and to …
South Alabama Counties Remain Dry
By Clint Thompson Drought conditions continue along the Gulf Coast. Mobile and Baldwin counties in southern Alabama are classified in ‘D2’ or severe drought status by the U.S. Drought Monitor. John Cristy, Alabama state climatologist, says June is a “real critical month.” The influx of irrigation being utilized by the state’s farmers will help during these hot and dry periods. …
Little Projected Rainfall Means More Irrigation Needed
By Clint Thompson Limited rainfall over the next couple of weeks means row crop growers need to be irrigating early and often to get their seed producing. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension irrigation specialist Wes Porter said water requirements for cotton and peanuts is low early in the season. But they do still require water. “If we’re absolutely getting no …
Commissioner Nikki Fried, Florida Forest Service Warn Floridians of Increased Wildfire Danger
Tallahassee, Fla.– Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Forest Service are urging Floridians to exercise caution due to the increased threat of wildfires. Fire danger has increased throughout the state due to windy conditions and critically low relative humidity over the coming days. Gusty conditions are possible in the Panhandle and Big Bend with the passage of a dry …
Farm Recovery Block Grant Deadline for Georgia Farmers is April 30
By Clint Thompson The Farm Recovery Block Grant deadline for Georgia farmers who were dealt financial losses by Hurricane Michael is Thursday, April 30. The Georgia Department of Agriculture is accepting online applications. The block grant funds include $347 million. This block grant program is designed to compensate producers for losses and expenses in seven categories of assistance, according to …
Florida Drought Leads to Water Restrictions in Lee County
By Clint Thompson Florida’s long drought has led to water restrictions on Lee County in the southwest part of the state. On Friday, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and Lee County announced mandatory irrigation restrictions. According to the press release, the restrictions addressed low aquifer levels. “On the coast, they rely a lot more on wells, well fields. …
Big Storm Could Bring Severe Weather to the South
A big storm could bring severe weather to the southern part of the country. Stephanie Ho has the story. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Critical Role To Extend ResearchNovember 7, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Funded Research Impactful for the Future of the Florida Cattle IndustryOctober 31, 2025
Lack of Rainfall Impacting Florida Agriculture
By Clint Thompson Lack of rainfall in March in Florida could have major implications for Florida agriculture. David Zierden, a state climatologist at Florida State University’s Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Prediction Studies, said most of the state is currently experiencing conditions that are drier than normal. “With these very warm temperatures we’ve seen in the month of March and only fractions …
Cover Crops Helped Alabama Growers During Rainy Winter
By Clint Thompson Alabama farmers who utilized cover crops this winter protected their soil during times of excessive rainfall, according to Audrey Gamble, an assistant professor and Extension specialist at Auburn University. “I think it’s very obvious to see that we’ve had record rainfalls across the state, and that in fields where we had cover crops, it helped with preventing …
Georgia Cattle Producers Urged to Sign Up for Block Grants
The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) is currently accepting online applications for the Farm Recovery Block Grants program from farmers and forest landowners affected by Hurricane Michael. Georgia Cattlemen’s Association (GCA) Executive Vice President, Dale Sandlin, wants producers to know GDA has posted the veterinarian certification of damage information to the farm recovery website. Georgia farmers and forest landowners …