Kansas farmers are hoping for rain as summer approaches and a drought continues that could hurt crop yields.“That’s everybody’s morning prayer, don’t let the rain stop," said Jay Armstrong, a local farmer.
Direct damage estimates amount to $8.7 billion, while indirect losses — including lower production of crops and livestock, as well as logistics disruptions and higher production costs — totaled $31.5 billion.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing various industries, and agriculture is no exception. The rapid advancements in AI technology have given rise to precision farming and smart irrigation, which are transforming the way farmers cultivate their land and manage their resources.
A series of storm systems has passed through the region over the past two weeks, bringing beneficial rainfall to West Texas, along with some damaging severe weather.Since May 1, Lubbock has received 2.89 inches of rain, while Amarillo has received 4.29 inches. Yearly totals are 6.15 and 3.75 inches, respectively.
Emily Lutz, the association's executive director, said peach, plum and nectarine trees were severely damaged when temperatures dropped to –25 C after what had been an unseasonably mild winter.
During the 2023 crop forecast webinar, Eric Hostalnou explained that the sector is “facing an unprecedented situation this year.” The current weather conditions, the drought in Spain and France as well as the recent floods in northern Italy, make it very difficult to estimate the losses that these events will generate.
Winds exceeding 100 km/h hit western, northern, and central Sicily on May 19th and 20th. Greenhouses covered in (old) plastic films and polytunnels were damaged, as well as many blossoming citrus fruit groves and orchards in full production.
The rains recorded in Andalusia and Cartagena have interrupted the early potato harvest in the main production areas. It is feared, therefore, that in the coming days there won't be enough supply to meet all the demand.
Although the rains of recent days have brought some relief, drought and the depletion of water reserves in the Axarquia and the Costa Tropical de Granada have been causing great difficulties to the tropical sector, as "there appear to be no viable short term solutions," says producer Francisco Garcia.
We can say potatoes are lost in the areas hit by the flood in Emilia Romagna (Ravenna, Forlì-Cesena and Bologna provinces), as 24 hours under water are more than enough to destroy the crops. The situation is not much better when it comes to red onions, even though they are sturdier.
Zespri International is funding research to understand the lifecycle of the brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys)on organic and conventional kiwifruit in China, part of its native range. Now, Chinese scientists are making progress which could help prevent the brown marmorated stink bug spreading in New Zealand.
At 2 a.m. last Thursday, owner Norah Lake and her work crew at Sweetland, a 12-acre fruit and vegetable farm in Norwich, were in the orchard, dousing apple, plum and pear trees from a network of irrigation pumps.
A non-toxic method to prevent mice from devouring wheat crops has been shown to drastically reduce seed loss.The technique, developed by scientists at the University of Sydney, could be a game-changer in the management of crop loss to mice plague.
Heavy late spring rain across Hungary last week caused significant cracking damage to early season cherry orchards. “The damage is reportedly widespread, even some sweet cherries under plastic cover suffered losses,” according to Peter Kelemen, from the Medifruct cooperative in Hungary, who are growers of cherries, plums, and sour cherries.
Algarve’s citrus growers are anticipating a drop in production due to the prolonged drought. A lack of rain is forcing them to water uninterruptedly, and growers fear that water won’t suffice until the end of the year.
A local farm is asking for help after a devastating blow from Mother Nature. Last week’s severe freeze destroyed the majority of Sobieski’s River Valley Farm’s blueberry crop.