Highlight Impact Of Seasonal Produce Imports On Southeastern Growers WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators David Perdue (R-GA) and Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) continue to fight for a level playing field for Georgia farmers. In a letter to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer, the Senators requested a broadening of USTR’s current Section 332 investigation to include the impact of seasonal cucumber and squash imports on Southeastern …
Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot Warning for Strawberry Producers
Georgia strawberry producers need to monitor their plants for Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot. It has already caused problems for Florida farmers and nurseries in North Carolina where many Georgia farmers get their plugs from. “(Georgia producers) should be aware of it. We had a meeting on it again,” said University of Georgia plant pathologist Phil Brannen. “It has been found in …
Storing Pecans May Not Be Best Option for Growers
A popular option that Georgia pecan producers are utilizing to combat low prices is to put them in storage in hopes of improved prices in the future. However, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells cautions growers who take this approach. “That’s most of what I hear taking place. I haven’t heard a lot (of pecans) over the …
NIHC Receives USDA Market Access Program Funding for International Research and Promotion of Hemp
NIHC Becomes First Hemp Organization Officially Recognized by USDA Foreign Agricultural Service as Market Access Program (MAP) Partner WASHINGTON – The National Industrial Hemp Council announced it received $200,000 in U.S. Department of Agricultural (USDA) Market Access Program (MAP) funding to support export market development of industrial hemp. “We are grateful for USDA confidence and the recognition of NIHC as the …
UGA Researcher Part of Grant Studying Efficacy of Essential Oils in Organic Fruit Production
Organic agricultural production is increasing in Georgia. Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and small fruits pathologist, wants to help producers be more efficient by researching ways to protect organic blueberries from diseases. According to UGA Extension, the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded a $2 million grant to the team of 15 …
Pecan Prices Remain Low
Rain and wind this week have made it a challenge for Georgia pecan producers harvesting this year’s crop. Farmers still can’t find a ray of sunshine amid declining prices. According to the USDA Pecan Report that was released on Tuesday, prices are lower than a week ago and most farmers with export quality pecans are holding them in storage until …
Hemp Production in Georgia a Success Despite Few Orders That Exceeded Legal Limit
Georgia’s first year of commercial hemp production was a success, though, there were some growers who had plants that exceeded the 0.3 THC level required for crop production. Mike Evans, director of plant industries who oversees the hemp program at the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA), expects a big change next year to come with more frequent testing from the …
Pruning tips for ornamental plants
By Brandon Crumsey for UGA CAES News To prune or not to prune, that is the question. Pruning is an important part of maintaining plant health and maximizing plant productivity. This is often a topic that brings fear and confusion, but pruning is, in fact, a beneficial and routine task. Ornamental plants in the home landscape are pruned for several reasons, including maintaining …
Prize-Winning Pumpkin Weighs in at More Than a Quarter Ton
By Austin Clark for CAES News More than 25 pumpkins were submitted to Georgia 4-H’s 2020 statewide pumpkin-growing contest, with the largest pumpkin, cultivated in north Georgia’s Union County, weighing in at a whopping 548 pounds. All Georgia 4-H youth were encouraged to participate by submitting one pumpkin for consideration. Participants took their entries to their local University of Georgia Cooperative Extension office …
GATE Renewal Now Open
Annual renewal for the Georgia Agriculture Tax Exemption (GATE) program is now open. Eligible farmers can renew their GATE card for 2021 online starting Friday, November 6, 2020, by visiting https://forms.agr.georgia.gov/GATE/. GATE cardholders who are to renew in 2021 will automatically be placed on the new three-year renewal program and will receive their renewal invoice in 2024. All current cards will …