Moultrie Observer

Local News

January 29, 2007

Unusual weather shouldn’t hurt here

MOULTRIE — Despite all the technology that might be applied, weather can make or break a crop — too much rain or not enough, unseasonably cold temperatures or unseasonably hot.

Recently, extremely cold weather in parts of California has severely damaged that state’s citrus crop. Florida, on the other hand, has lost much of its citrus industry to development and has yielded to the west coast producers to meet the demand for oranges and grapefruit.

Southern California, not accustomed to snow and ice, took a beating in that regard just a few weeks ago. What impact this unusual weather on the West Coast may have on the rest of the country has yet to be determined, but higher prices are a foregone conclusion.

But other than higher prices for citrus products, California’s weather won’t have much effect on Colquitt County agriculture, according to County Extension Agent Glenn Beard.

“Overall, we’ve not had exceptionally cold temps here,” Beard said, “So we’ve not been hurt in that respect. On the other hand, the few strawberries planted here and the peach orchards are starting to bud out, and that’s not good if we have a late cold snap.”

Apparently, that cold snap is here. Temperatures in the low 30s to upper 20s are forecast through the weekend and the first part of the week. According to Beard, the warm temperatures that South Georgia has experienced so far this winter are not normal weather for this time of the year and that could be an impending disaster for those crops.

Scott Hart probably has Colquitt County’s largest crop of strawberries planted on his farm near Funston. He isn’t overly concerned with colder temperatures.

Strawberries are very resilient to cold, Scott said, adding that if fruit has developed, only the red fruit is likely to suffer damage. The blooms, green fruit and buds can be protected by using sprinklers to apply a coat of ice over the plants, he explained.

He said that during cold weather, if a plant freezes without a protective covering of ice, the plant will begin to thaw by drawing heat from the plant. With a coating of ice covering the plant, as the thaw begins, the heat is drawn from the air.

Buds on peach trees, however, can’t be as easily protected.

For most vegetable producers in Colquitt County, cold weather is not a real concern because the only thing growing this time of year is winter greens (collards, mustard etc.). Those plants are very cold hardy, said Beard.

“We’ve just finished transplanting spring cabbage so there’s not much else going on,” the agent said. “The California situation is mostly with their citrus crops. There will definitely be an increase in the price of oranges.”

“The biggest problem we have here,” he said, “is the mild weather we’ve had lately has caused plants to break out of dormancy. Unfortunately they’ve had cold weather. We’ve had warm temps, that’s just the way the jet stream works.”

Beard said that the Southeast has not experienced an average winter.

“There have been some cold snaps, but mostly it’s been very mild,” he said, “and that’s forced the budding out of peach trees and strawberry plants.”

The Extension agent also said that there has been an increase in interest of farmers for corn and wheat crops as evidenced by a large crowd at a recent corn meeting, the first in some time.

The planting season is just around the corner for most area farmers. Cooler temperatures at the present time, for the most part are okay, but more rain and milder weather might be on a farmer’s wish list for the spring.

Text Only
Local News
  • DSCN1610.JPG Bingo Bash 2012

    February 3, 2012 1 Photo

  • Former Moultrian falls to his death

    A former Moultrian died Wednesday night after being pushed from a second-story walkway at his apartment complex in Bellingham, Wash., the previous day.

    February 3, 2012

  • Convicted burglar sentenced to 14 years in prison

    A man convicted in December on burglary and theft charges was sentenced Friday to a 14-year prison sentence.

    February 3, 2012

  • Fires damage two homes

    Stove fires damaged two homes this week, but no injuries were reported in either incident, Moultrie Fire Department reports said.

    February 3, 2012

  • CAG Tech Fair Winners 2012[1].jpg C.A. Gray Technology Fair winners

    February 3, 2012 1 Photo

  • Drug charge added when police arrest theft suspect

    A Meigs man charged with theft faces additional charges as suspected marijuana was found on him at the time of his arrest, Moultrie Police Department reports said.

    February 3, 2012

  • CORRECTION: DUI charge

    In a Jan. 28 report, The Observer said Ronald Craig Bass, 50, 4411 Dunn Road, Hartsfield, was charged Jan. 26 with driving under the influence, open container violation and probation violation in connection with a minor wreck on Camilla Highway. Excluding the probation violation charge, that information came from a Moultrie police report of a November 2001 incident.
    Bass was charged with probation violation Thursday because all the penalties from the 2001 incident had not been paid. He paid the remaining penalties following his arrest, according to a Moultrie police report.
    The Observer regrets the error.

    February 3, 2012

  • Peanut Commission Research Report Day will be Feb. 8

    The Georgia Peanut Commission will hold the annual Research Report Day Wednesday, Feb. 8, beginning at 9 a.m. at the National Environmentally Sound Production Agriculture Laboratory (NESPAL), located on the University of Georgia Tifton campus. The event provides growers and industry representatives an opportunity to hear the latest reports on research projects funded by GPC in 2011.

    February 3, 2012

  • Boy Scouts help the needy with Scouting for Food program

    Scouts of the Suwannee River Area Council, Boy Scouts of America will be collecting food today to help the hungry in the council’s 13-county service area, which includes Colquitt County.

    February 3, 2012

  • Jury duty

    February 3, 2012

Business Marquee
AP Video
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East 2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3% Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths 'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy? Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
House Ads
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com
More
weatherradar
Seasonal Content
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
Poll

Should candidates for county positions have to run for a party's nomination?

No. Political parties are meaningless at this level.
Yes. It helps voters know where they stand on issues.
With all the problems the state's facing, this is a non-issue.
     View Results