By Clint Thompson Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties, says the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has forced peach producers and farming operations to take extra precautions when protecting their crews from becoming sick. “They have separate crews so they’re trying to keep the crews a little more separated this year. …
U.S. Congressman: A Fourth Relief Bill Will not Happen Fast
By Clint Thompson United States Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08) believes if there is a fourth coronavirus relief bill to help people like farmers and aid agribusinesses, it will not happen fast. Scott, along with fellow Congressman Sanford Bishop (GA-02), spoke about the recently passed Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and its different provisions. Due to circumstances regarding …
Pecan Farmers Need to Watch out for Budmoths
By Clint Thompson Budbreak in pecan trees is under way in orchards across the Southeast, and farmers need to be wary of one particular pest – budmoths. Budmoths were a nuisance last year on pecan trees and have already showed signs of infesting young trees during the first week in April. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan entomologist Angelita Acebes …
Vidalia Onion Crop Looks ‘Favorable’ Despite Presence of Downy Mildew Disease in Localized Areas
By Clint Thompson Vidalia onion producers have begun harvesting the early maturing varieties this year, and Chris Tyson is excited about the potential of this year’s crop. “The Vidalia onion crop definitely looks favorable this year. We are anticipating a quality harvest,” said Tyson, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension area onion agent at the Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center …
Farmers Markets Still Option for Produce Growers
By Clint Thompson Produce farmers in the Southeast are struggling with markets that have disappeared because of the loss of restaurants and closure of schools amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. But Max Runge, Extension specialist in agricultural economics and rural sociology at Auburn University, believes farmers markets remain a viable option for fruit and vegetable growers, especially those who operate …
COVID-19 Keeps Georgia Produce Farmers From Hiring Labor, Exporting Crops
By Sharon Dowdy, University of Georgia, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Georgia produce farmers are used to fighting plant diseases on their crops, but planting resistant varieties or spraying pesticides won’t keep Coronavirus (COVID-19) away. This disease has shut down borders and reduced access to the markets where farmers sell their crops, is keeping essential farm labor out of …
Using Control Release Fertilizer in Vidalia Onion Production
By Ashley Robinson Appropriated timing of fertilizer application during crop development ensures soil nutrient availability thorough the onion growing season. Typically, fertilizer is applied five times for Vidalia onion production in Georgia. However, researchers have found that control release fertilizer applications can significantly reduce the number of fertilizer applications while maintaining crop yield. RESEARCH RECOMMENDATIONS During the 2018-19 Vidalia onion …
UGA Specialist not Concerned About Oversupply of Hemp in Georgia
By Clint Thompson Tim Coolong, associate professor in the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, said oversupply of hemp at the national level remains a concern. He’s not as worried with Georgia, however, due to rules and regulations in place. “I think on the bulk wholesale market, I’m still worried about oversupply. In Georgia, I think we’re in a …
Georgia Watermelon Farmer: What’s Worrying me the Most is the Labor
By Clint Thompson Terrell Rutland is preparing for the upcoming watermelon season just like other Georgia farmers. And like his fellow producers, Rutland is uncertain as to what to expect from this year’s crop, amid the coronavirus pandemic. “Nobody knows. That’s the end of the story, nobody knows,” Rutland said. “We don’t know about labor. We don’t know about price, …
Florida Farmer: We’ve Left About 5 Million Pounds of Cabbage in the Field
By Clint Thompson One of the largest produce farmers in the Southeast has already lost quite a bit of his spring crop and fears what the future might hold amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. “We’ve left about 2 million pounds of green beans already (in the field) and about 5 million pounds of cabbage,” said Paul Allen, president of R.C. …