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South Carolina Farmers Prepare for Cold Temperatures

South Carolina Department of Agriculture
Hugh E. Weathers, Commissioner

Media Contacts: Clint Leach, 803-734-2191, jcleach@scda.sc.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 5, 2019

South Carolina Farmers Prepare for Cold Temperatures

COLUMBIA, S.C. – As temperatures throughout South Carolina are predicted to drop into the twenties this week, farmers are preparing for another test from Mother Nature. Crops of particular concern with the impending cold weather include peaches, blueberries, and strawberries.

There are many factors which contribute to the overall potential damage sustained by the cold weather. Some of those variables include: stage of bloom, wind, moisture, and the length of time the temperature stays below freezing. Farmers will not be able to make an accurate assessment until the cold weather has moved through the area and temperatures rise.

“For now, all we can do is wait for the cold temperatures to move through,” said Hugh Weathers, South Carolina’s Commissioner of Agriculture. “These specialty crops are very important to our farm economy and we are all praying for the farmers who may be affected by the potential freeze.”

A warm past few weeks have brought early bloom for some varieties of peaches and blueberries. Much like a homeowner cares for their plants during a freeze, farmers also take preventative measures to help mitigate losses to their crops.

South Carolina is the largest peach producing state on the east coast and is second only to California nationally. For more information about peaches and other specialty crops, visit agriculture.sc.gov.

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South Carolina Farmers Prepare for Cold Temperatures Press Release (PDF)

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