By Clint Thompson The 2025 Georgia State Legislative Session continues to focus on topics pertinent to Georgia’s specialty crop industry. Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) President Will Bentley highlighted a few important pieces of legislation, starting with the Conservation Use Valuation Assessment (CUVA). “There have been a lot of bills moving around the Capitol these past two weeks dealing with agriculture …
Vidalia Onion Farmers Be Alert for Downy Mildew
By Clint Thompson Downy mildew remains the biggest disease concern for Georgia’s Vidalia onion farmers. It won’t be long before producers must protect their year’s investment, says University of Georgia Extension Vegetable Plant Pathologist Bhabesh Dutta. “This disease is so aggressive and can damage the crop so fast, all of these programs need to be initiated right (in late February). …
Late-Season Freeze Events Now a Concern for Fruit Tree Farmers
By Clint Thompson Chill hours are no longer a concern for fruit tree growers across the Southeast. The main worry now is with potential late-season freeze events following recent warming temperatures, according to Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist. “I would say probably right now the fruit farmers are the No. 1 concern that I have because they’ve …
Peach Producers’ Approach in Managing San Jose Scale
By Clint Thompson Timing remains a vital part of San Jose scale management for peach producers in the Southeast. Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, outlined the approach growers must take if they are going to successfully manage this pest. “Getting a good delayed dormant spray on for the scale …
What’s the Deal? Colder Weather Experienced During Current La Niña
By Clint Thompson January’s cold weather goes against what is normally expected during a La Niña weather pattern. The pattern usually brings warmer and drier conditions during winter months. But this month’s weather has been extremely cold, highlighted by a historic snow event during the week of Jan. 22. Pam Knox, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension agricultural climatologist, discussed this …
UGA Extension to Host Vidalia Onion Meeting
The University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension will host the Vidalia Onion Crop and Disease Update on Thursday, Feb. 13, at the Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia. The meeting will start at 10 a.m. and conclude at 1 p.m. The agenda will include a crop update, variety trial walk-through and disease management update provided by UGA …
Chilli Thrips’ Threat to Georgia Blueberries
By Clint Thompson One year ago, Ash Sial, University of Georgia (UGA) entomologist, reported that chilli thrips were the most serious emerging issue impacting the state’s blueberry crop. Not much has changed in a year’s time, unfortunately. “We are really scared of chilli thrips based on what we hear from Florida and blueberry grower experiences. What we hear from Florida …
Compared to Previous Years: Chill Hours High in Georgia
By Clint Thompson Chill hours have not been a problem this year for Georgia’s fruit farmers. They have experienced a sufficient amount of chill hours to help produce this year’s crop, especially compared to previous years. According to the University of Georgia Weather Network, Tifton, Georgia, received 729.25 chill hours from Oct. 1, 2024 to Feb. 2, 2025. That’s compared …
UGA Offering Pesticide Applicator Training in Spanish
The University of Georgia (UGA) Pesticide Safety Program is now offering updated private pesticide applicator training in both English and Spanish. Applicators seeking a private pesticide license can now complete the training in their preferred language. This updated training is part of UGA’s continued support for all producers and agriculture professionals, says Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of …
Management Options for Neopestalotiopsis in Strawberry Fields
By Clint Thompson Southeast strawberry growers’ first line of defense against Neopestalotiopsis is to plant clean plants. For those producers that have the disease in their fields, there are management options available, according to Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist. “Depending on the amount of infection you have, if it’s a relatively low level, you can …