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CLEMSON, S.C. (WACH, AP) -- A mild winter and early spring could mean a plentiful peach crop for South Carolina this year.

Clemson University horticulture professor Desmond Layne says the 2012 peach crop will likely be ready earlier than usual.

In 2007, a late freeze wiped out more than 80 percent of the peach crop as the temperature dropped to 26 degrees in Columbia and 28 degrees in Macon, Ga. It was more than 20 degrees below the average low for that time of year. The freeze cost South Carolina farmers $39 million according to agriculture officials.

Layne says South Carolina farmers have already shipped about 40 million pounds of peaches so far this year. The state is consistently the nation's second-largest peach-producing state behind California.

According to Clemson researchers the South Carolina peach industry is valued at over $60 million this year -- up from $40 million in 2010. The Palmetto State employs well over 1000 people during the growing season.

For everything from Peach recipes to growing tips check out Clemson's Everything About Peaches page.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)