By Clint Thompson What a difference a year made for Georgia’s peach producers. One year after experiencing the lowest of lows with regards to peach production, most of the state’s growers enjoyed the highest of highs with this year’s crop. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist, described how different this year’s yield production was. “I think …
Rep. Scott Frustrated at Lack of Support for American Farmers
By Clint Thompson U.S. Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga.) expressed frustration at the Southern Peanut Growers Conference in July. Much of that was centered at the lack of momentum in getting a farm bill finalized and the wishes of some to steer more funding away from production agriculture. “We’re used to in America walking in a gas station or a grocery …
Pyrethroid Resistance: Corn Earworm Concerning Sweet Corn Producers
By Clint Thompson Pyrethroid resistance in corn earworm is a major concern for sweet corn producers across the Southeast. Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist, said other insecticides are more costly and have to be applied more regularly in sweet corn. It could lead to a decrease in acres across the Southeast. “It doesn’t take a …
Dry Weather a Positive for Specialty Crop Producers Heading into Fall Planting Season
By Clint Thompson The most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor paints a dry picture for specialty crop producers in Georgia, especially in the central and northern regions of the state, where abnormally and moderately dry conditions are prevalent. That’s beneficial for fruit and vegetable growers who are preparing for their fall crops and are challenged by increased disease …
Under Water: Debby Devastates Georgia Blueberry Bushes with Excessive Rains
By Clint Thompson Georgia blueberries are feeling the impact of Tropical Storm Debby this week. The storm, which was classified as a Category 1 Hurricane when it made landfall along Florida’s Big Bend coast, has drenched excessive amounts of water on blueberry bushes in the southeast part of the state. It has left Russ Goodman, co-owner of Cogdell Berry Farm …
Pecan Pointers to Remember
It is an important time of the production season for pecan producers. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist, noted in the UGA Extension Pecan Blog that growers need to be aware of the time sensitive task of leaf sampling. The leaf sampling period runs through Aug. 7. It’s the period when nutrients are most stable in the leaf. …
UGA Vidalia Onion Production Meeting Scheduled for Aug. 22
Georgia’s Vidalia onion producers and industry experts should mark their calendars for an upcoming University of Georgia (UGA) Extension production meeting, scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia. UGA Extension agents and specialists will provide updates on disease management, flavor research, storage trials, fertility trials, …
Minimal Disease Pressure in Georgia’s Peach Crop This Year
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s peach producers rebounded this year with a bumper crop. A big reason for their success was the lack of disease pressure prevalent in peach orchards this year. The prolonged drought during the early summer led to a reduction in diseases that are normally problematic for growers, says Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease …
Registration Ongoing for Georgia Ag Labor Relations Forum Slated for Aug. 20-21
By Clint Thompson Registration remains open for the Georgia Ag Labor Relations Forum, slated for Aug. 20-21 at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Georgia. Topics ranging from the H-2A program, labor trafficking, housing, heat policies and compliance issues are scheduled for attendees. Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, which …
Black Aphid Management Important for Georgia Pecan Producers
Georgia pecan producers should be wary that black aphids have increased in numbers in recent weeks, according to the University of Georgia (UGA) Extension Pecan Blog. Lenny Wells, UGA Extension specialist, said growers with black aphid-susceptible varieties have already been spraying, though they need to rotate the aphicide chemistries. “We have a number of good aphid products out there, including …