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Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Georgia”
By Clint Thompson Disaster relief remains a significant issue for Georgia’s specialty crop producers still reeling from major storms, including Hurricane Helene last fall. Fruit and vegetable farmers were pummeled by the storm when it moved through the region as a major hurricane in late September. Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins testified before the House Ag Committee on Wednesday about a …
By Clint Thompson Vegetable research was the subject of a recent Extension agent training at the University of Georgia (UGA) Tifton Campus. One crop that Ted McAvoy, UGA Extension vegetable specialist, is currently focusing on is okra. He spoke about its significance for Georgia growers. “It’s the first time and I’m very excited about it. When I interviewed with the …
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s Vidalia onion crop was high in quality but low in quantity this year, according to one industry expert. With the weather challenges that growers experienced across the region, it’s not a surprise that production dropped this year. “The crop’s not as big this year. What we have is good quality,” said Chris Tyson, University of Georgia …
By Clint Thompson University of Georgia (UGA) research into anthracnose’s impact in cucurbits has one scientist studying disease resistance from multiple angles. “My part of the research is screening cucumber and watermelon varieties for resistance against anthracnose. There’s already resistant varieties for anthracnose race 1,” said Ted McAvoy, UGA Extension vegetable specialist. “If that’s the race we have, they should …
By Clint Thompson Fusarium wilt’s complexity as a disease threat to watermelons in the Southeast makes it a challenge for research scientists to develop an effective management strategy. University of Georgia Extension Vegetable Plant Pathologist Bhabesh Dutta is researching options so growers can attack the disease from multiple angles. “The first thing I’m evaluating is the assessment of different novel …
By Clint Thompson Southeast fruit and vegetable producers are not the only ones that could feel the sting from the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission report. It’s a global concern, says Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association. Butts stressed the need that growers continue to have access following the report’s potential negative impact. …
By Clint Thompson Thrips pressure has been high this year in peaches in the Southeast. Their impact started earlier than normal, according to Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. “In years past, we’ve had thrips, mid-season, right now with some of our darker, red-colored fruit. The thrips feed on the …
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s legislative session saw the introduction and passage of HB 143, a bill that places the financial responsibility of installing agricultural irrigation water meters on the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Environmental Protection Division (EPD). Robert Dickey, chairman of the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, discussed the bill’s passage during a recent webinar hosted by the …
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s watermelon harvests are expected to pick up this week amid an unfortunate market decline for the region’s watermelon growers. Ty Torrance, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable agent for Colquitt, Tift and Worth counties, discussed the status of the watermelon crop in his region. He believes the lack of rain in some areas impacted the crops, …
By Clint Thompson Spring vegetable season is in full swing in South Georgia. Vegetable farmers are managing pests and diseases that are challenging this year’s crops. Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist, highlighted pests that have been a challenge this year for producers, including one in particular. “I think thrips have been a problem this spring. …
