Vegetable Crop Harvest Continues In The Southeast While Cool Weather Gives Relief To Growers

Sep 28, 2012

Weather

We had 1/10 of an inch of rain on three rain events. Temperatures ranged from 31 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit. Most of this past week has been cloudy with some fog in the early morning. Humidity has ranged from 30 to 95 percent with five to 18 hours of wetness.

Crops and pests

Harvest is ongoing for most crops, including tomatoes, peppers and cucurbits. The major insect pest is aphids, seen in various crops.
Most potato growers are half-way done with their harvest. Pumpkin harvest continues and growers are keeping their vines healthy to the best of their knowledge. Powdery mildew in pumpkins continues to be the challenge.
Brassica-cole crops are benefiting from the cool weather and developing with no apparent disease problems. Scout cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and radish fields for any early symptoms of cabbage downy mildew; the current weather is conducive for this disease. Aphids are moving into these crops, too.
Source: Michigan State University Extension

Video: Agriculture Secretary Rollins Speaks at American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim

One of the highlights at the 2026 American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim, California, was an address by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. During her remarks, she thanked America’s farmers and ranchers and said the Trump Administration is fully aware that food security is national security.

She also acknowledged the challenging times in Farm Country with low commodity prices and high input costs and said that’s why the President stepped in to help with the recent Bridge Assistance Program.

Montana Farm Bureau Federation Executive Vice President Scott Kulbeck says that Farm Bureau members are appreciative of the help and looks forward to working with the American Farm Bureau Federation and its presence in Washington, DC to keep farmers and ranchers in business.

Secretary Rollins said the Trump Administration is also committed to helping ranchers build back America’s cattle herd while also providing more high-quality U.S. beef at the meat case for consumers.

And she also announced more assistance for specialty crop producers who only received a fraction of the $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA).

It’s important to note that producers who qualify for Farmer Bridge Assistance can expect the Farm Service Agency to start issuing payments in late February. For more information, farmers and ranchers are encouraged to contact their local USDA Service Center.