Looking Ahead: What to Expect in an El Niño

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson The current weak La Niña weather pattern is forecast to be transitioning to neutral conditions during the Jan.-March timeframe. It should linger through the summer before giving way to an El Niño weather pattern. Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist, highlighted what that transition means for the Southeast with respect to potential tropical systems and …

Industry Leader: AEWR Had Adverse Effect on American Producers

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson The Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) was designed to avoid having an adverse effect on American farmers. That has not been the case, however. It’s a message that those in the agricultural industry voiced to legislative leaders amid spiraling AEWR wages used to pay workers in the H-2A program. It ultimately led the Department of Labor to …

freeze

Georgia Citrus Grower Optimistic After Freeze

Dan CooperCold Hardy, Freeze, Georgia

A South Georgia citrus producer is upbeat after last weekend’s winter storm, which brought plunging temperatures and blistery wind conditions, threatened his grove. Jaime Patrick of Patrick Farms in Omega admitted it would still be a few days before he had a clearer view of the overall impact from the freeze. But he is optimistic. “It’s going to take us …

UGA Extension Hosting Pecan Meetings

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson University of Georgia (UGA) Extension is currently hosting its annual pecan meetings, which follow last season’s harvests. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist, discussed what UGA experts are highlighting during the meetings held at various pecan-producing counties across South Georgia. “We’ll be talking about what happened last year. We’ll be talking some about the normal …

Drought Update: Extreme Conditions Observed in Florida, Georgia and Alabama

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Florida, Georgia

By Clint Thompson According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, dry areas still encompass much of the Southeast region, especially in North Florida, South and Central Georgia and Southeast Alabama. Florida Extreme conditions are seen in a couple of areas in northern Florida. One area includes all or part of Jackson, Calhoun, Liberty, Gadsden, Leon, Wakulla and Jefferson counties. The area …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Tools to Track Peach Chill

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Frank Giles When the weather cooperates in winter and spring, peach growers celebrate the good fortune. Chill hours and chill portions are a good way to measure that progress. But that’s not always an easy task with so many variables that can come into play. Dario Chavez, associate professor in peach and citrus breeding genetics and genomics with the …

UGA Extension Agent Discusses Row Covers Ahead of Frigid Weekend

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Looming frigid temperatures this weekend across the Southeast means strawberry growers need to consider implementing row covers to protect this year’s crop. Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties, is recommending his growers put row covers on ahead of temperatures that are expected to drop into the …

Worst in Last 20 Years: Bacterial Spot in Peaches Devastating in 2025

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Bacterial spot disease was problematic for Georgia peach producers in 2025. In fact, one industry expert believes it was the worst it has been in about two decades. “It’s the worst bacterial spot year that we’ve had in about 20 years. We’ve had other years that were like this, but these are just devastating when you look …

Budget Highlights Second Week in Georgia’s Legislative Session

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Budget was the theme of the second week of the 2026 Georgia Legislative Session. Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) President Will Bentley highlighted the budgetary focus. “We just wrapped up week two of the legislative session. The second week is always budget week, joint House and Senate Appropriation Committees met where they heard from Gov. (Brian) Kemp and …

Georgia Chill Hour Update: Slow Start to 2026 But Still in Good Shape

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Georgia’s chill hour accumulation is currently lagging behind last year’s totals, due to a slow start in January. The state is still in good shape, however, according to Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties. “We were 80 hours ahead and then after the Southeast Regional Fruit …