Vidalia Onion Crop ‘Looks Good’ Amid Numerous Weather Challenges

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Chris Tyson, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension area onion agent, is optimistic about this year’s Vidalia onion crop halfway through the season. That optimism speaks volumes considering the weather challenges that have threatened production this year. “We’ve had several obstacles in our way this year. First was Hurricane Helene which caused some plant losses and stand losses …

Legislatively Speaking: Georgia Budget Update

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson The amended budget for Georgia’s ’25 fiscal year is currently under review by the state Senate. It is expected to vote on the budget soon, believes Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) President Will Bentley. Bentley discussed the budget situation as the 2025 Georgia State Legislative Session continues in Atlanta. “The House added, I believe, an additional $25 million …

UGA Research: New Planting Approach in Vidalia Onions

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson University of Georgia research in Vidalia onions has yielded a new approach to planting the crop. Ted McAvoy, University of Georgia Extension vegetable specialist, wants growers to maximize their area to produce more plants per acre. Because of the threshold of the recommended spacing between plants, McAvoy offered an alternative method. “Most all of the work that’s …

Freeze Effect: Dormancy Helps Grape Vines Dodge Cold Damage

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Georgia’s grape vines were mostly dormant amid sub-freezing temperatures experienced in January. That benefited the state’s producers when temperatures plunged last month, according to Sarah Lowder, University of Georgia (UGA) viticulture Extension specialist. “One of the benefits of this year compared to previous years is that the vines were able to go into dormancy. They were fully …

Georgia Legislative Update: CUVA, HB 223

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson The 2025 Georgia State Legislative Session continues to focus on topics pertinent to Georgia’s specialty crop industry. Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) President Will Bentley highlighted a few important pieces of legislation, starting with the Conservation Use Valuation Assessment (CUVA). “There have been a lot of bills moving around the Capitol these past two weeks dealing with agriculture …

Vidalia Onion Farmers Be Alert for Downy Mildew

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Downy mildew remains the biggest disease concern for Georgia’s Vidalia onion farmers. It won’t be long before producers must protect their year’s investment, says University of Georgia Extension Vegetable Plant Pathologist Bhabesh Dutta. “This disease is so aggressive and can damage the crop so fast, all of these programs need to be initiated right (in late February). …

Late-Season Freeze Events Now a Concern for Fruit Tree Farmers

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Chill hours are no longer a concern for fruit tree growers across the Southeast. The main worry now is with potential late-season freeze events following recent warming temperatures, according to Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist. “I would say probably right now the fruit farmers are the No. 1 concern that I have because they’ve …

Peach Producers’ Approach in Managing San Jose Scale

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Timing remains a vital part of San Jose scale management for peach producers in the Southeast. Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, outlined the approach growers must take if they are going to successfully manage this pest. “Getting a good delayed dormant spray on for the scale …

What’s the Deal? Colder Weather Experienced During Current La Niña

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Georgia

By Clint Thompson January’s cold weather goes against what is normally expected during a La Niña weather pattern. The pattern usually brings warmer and drier conditions during winter months. But this month’s weather has been extremely cold, highlighted by a historic snow event during the week of Jan. 22. Pam Knox, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension agricultural climatologist, discussed this …

UGA Extension to Host Vidalia Onion Meeting

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

The University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension will host the Vidalia Onion Crop and Disease Update on Thursday, Feb. 13, at the Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia. The meeting will start at 10 a.m. and conclude at 1 p.m. The agenda will include a crop update, variety trial walk-through and disease management update provided by UGA …