RALEIGH -- It has been months since Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina and recovery is still ongoing throughout the region. Many residents and growers had devastating losses, but work is under way to rebuild and move forward in 2025.
Topics Related to Agronomics
RALEIGH -- Successful production of tobacco transplants starts with good water quality and with getting the right nutrient levels in the float solution. Growers preparing for transplant production should begin by having their source water tested by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services soil testing lab is about to hit its busy season and growers and homeowners are encouraged to submit soil samples by Nov. 26 to avoid peak-season fees and to get results and recommendations sooner. Peak-season fees will be waived for the Western counties impacted by Hurricane Helene.
By David H. Hardy & Joe Hudyncia, Agronomic Division – NCDA&CSLuke Gatiboni, Crop & Soil Science Department– NC State UniversityHurricane Helene caused great devastation throughout much of western North Carolina and farm fields were not spared. There are reports of impacts to fields in all landscape positions. This situation calls for a vigilant approach to soil and crop management that includes assessment on a field-by-field basis.
The weather is warming up and gardening and lawn activities will soon be in full swing, which may include taking soil samples to be tested for agronomic recommendations for many growers and homeowners.
In order to optimize growth, fruit quality and economic return, commercial strawberry production requires intensive and precise fertilization throughout the season.
Group tours of three of the most widely used N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Agronomic Services labs have resumed. Groups can book a tour for the nematode assay; plant, waste solution and media; and soil testing labs Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.Growers and homeowners throughout the state use these labs for soil and growing recommendations. In fiscal year 2022, these labs analyzed 379,039 samples and issued 52,414 reports. Tours had been discontinued due to COVID and concerns for the safety and health of workers and the public.
Now that harvest is complete, the focus for many growers turns to soil sampling and formulating nutrient management plans for next season. For some, it is a time to reflect on yields and if goals were not met, ponder different strategies.
Joseph Hudyncia of Apex is the new Section Chief of Field Services for the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Agronomic Services Division.