By Clint Thompson A cold January that has already featured multiple days with sub-freezing temperatures should help vegetable growers combat the ongoing whitefly infestation. At least that’s the hope shared by Ty Torrance, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable agent for Colquitt, Tift and Worth counties. “We’re still seeing a fair amount of whiteflies, even for the cooler temperatures. They’re …
UGA Specialist Discusses Fertilizer Rates for Watermelon at SE Regional
By Clint Thompson Fertilization rates for Georgia watermelon production is important knowledge for growers to be familiar with, as the new season looms. Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, was tasked with enlightening producers about fertilizer rates and why they are set at certain levels, during last week’s Southeast (SE) …
Peach Chill Hours Near 600 in Georgia
By Clint Thompson Georgia peach producers continue to reap the benefits of colder weather to start 2025. Chill hours are necessary for peaches to flourish. Trees enjoyed temperatures at or below the designated mark of 45 degrees Fahrenheit during last week, according to Jeff Cook, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension agriculture and natural resources (ANR) agent for Peach and …
Crop Reporting Deadline is Jan. 15
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency reminds Georgia fruit producers that the next crop reporting deadline is Jan. 15. The deadline is for multiple crops, including apples, blueberries and peaches. Producers should contact their local USDA Service Center for additional information and to file acreage reports. An acreage report details a crop produced on a farm, its intended …
Georgia Blueberry Producers Be Wary of Fungicide Resistance with Fruit Rots
By Clint Thompson Fruit rots are an annual concern for Georgia blueberry producers. But fungicide resistance is gaining traction as a worry for farmers moving forward. Blueberry farmers have the fungicides needed to manage fruit rots every year. But they need to be mindful of not putting all their effort into one specific mode of action, explains Jonathan Oliver, University …
Specialty Crops Showcased, Celebrated at Southeast Regional Conference
By Clint Thompson Last week’s Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference served as a celebration of what’s right with specialty crop production in the region, explains Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA). “It’s been such an eventful year, everything from the hurricane to our continued struggles with imports, this is really a chance …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Familiar Foes Continue to Pester Sweet Corn Growers
By Clint Thompson Pyrethroid resistance in corn earworm is a threat to the sweet corn industry in South Georgia. Among all the other insect pests that impact sweet corn production in Georgia, none compares to the impact of corn earworm. Corn Earworm The usual chemical applications that growers have depended on to control corn earworm have become less reliable. This …
‘Disappointing’ Season for Georgia Pecan Growers
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s pecan season has come to a close. Between devastation from Hurricane Helene and market prices that did not reflect diminished supply this year, morale is low for growers, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist. “It was just disappointing all the way around,” Wells said. “It wasn’t the worst year we’ve had, by far. …
Southeast Regional Conference Scheduled for Jan. 9-11
By Clint Thompson The annual Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference is just days away in Savannah, Georgia. While regular registration ends Tuesday, Jan. 7, on-site registration will still be available from Jan. 9-11. The yearly conference caters to fruit and vegetable production in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and the Carolinas. The production seminars, scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday, will …
Warm Winter Temperatures Not Favorable for Peach Insects
By Clint Thompson Warmer temperatures this winter would be a positive development for the region’s peach producers, says Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. It would help manage the pest populations, including borers and stink bugs; any insect that overwinters. “If there’s not food when they’re going into their overwintering, …