Washington County Farmers Waiting For The Next Rain

Generally, soil conditions are very dry in Washington County. High winds early in the week of April 23, 2012, greatly stressed vine crops (melons). Pastures are critically short of moisture and need rain, as do most fields undergoing land preparation. Several fields...

Palmer Amaranth Flowering Early In 2012

  This year producers are already fighting Palmer Amaranth, or pigweed, which is now 3 to 5 inches tall and flowering.  The anomalous weather pattern has this plant confused on what time of year it is, behaving like it is late August or September. The short day...

Pigeon Fever Cases Confirmed in Northwest Florida

A large animal veterinarian in north Florida has confirmed four cases of Pigeon Fever in Okaloosa and Walton Counties. Pigeon Fever is an infection caused by the bacteria, Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis.  There are three forms of this disease: external abscesses,...
What are those “Sandy-Mounders” anyway?

What are those “Sandy-Mounders” anyway?

Have you ever wondered what those mounds of soil are that seem to appear from nowhere in surrounding fields and pastures?  They are actually dirt mounds dug by the southeastern pocket gopher. The southeastern pocket gopher, Geomys pinetis, is also known as the...