By Clint Thompson The most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor indicates dry conditions worsening and expanding across the Southeast, especially in Alabama, Georgia and North Florida. It is also not a surprising development since this is the dry time of year, according to Pam Knox, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension agricultural climatologist. “It is the driest time of …
Drying Up: Rain Needed for Vegetable Production
By Clint Thompson Prolonged periods of dry weather are not the worst thing for specialty crop growers. Most will say they prefer to apply their own water instead of having too much rainfall. It minimizes the disease pressure that producers have to manage. But there is such a scenario where a little rain would be welcomed, says Ty Torrance, University …
Unspoken Anxiety: Hurricane Season a Threat to Southeast Pecans
By Clint Thompson Fall is the time of year that pecans are harvested in the Southeast. It also prime hurricane season for growers in Alabama and Georgia. As pecan production season transitions into harvest season, producers are praying for zero impact from a pending storm. As growers saw from storms like Hurricane Helene last year, Hurricane Idalia in 2023 and …
Birds Can Be Bothersome in Cold-Hardy Citrus Groves
By Clint Thompson Cold-hardy citrus producers are reporting increased cases of bird damage to their young fruit. Jake Price, University of Georgia (UGA) area citrus agent, discussed the ongoing situation in the UGA Citrus Blog. While this is not a major concern for growers, it is an issue that they need to be aware of when surveying their citrus groves. …
Foliar Insecticide Applications Essential for Pecan Phylloxera Control
By Clint Thompson Foliar insecticide applications are essential for pecan producers hoping to control pecan phylloxera, an insect pest in the Southeast. Apurba Barman, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan entomologist, discussed the insect during the recent Georgia Pecan Growers Association Fall Field Day at the UGA Ponder Farm in Tifton, Georgia. He stressed that foliar applications are most effective …
Industry Experts Highlight Importance of Georgia Ag Labor Forum
By Clint Thompson Labor remains a top priority for Georgia fruit and vegetable growers. Whether it’s staying in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Administration or learning more about the H-2A and H-2B programs, specialty crop producers need events like this week’s Georgia Agricultural Labor Relations Forum to stay updated on a topic that evolves regularly. Georgia Agribusiness Council …
Let the Plantings Begin: Vidalia Onion Producers Cautiously Optimistic
By Clint Thompson This year’s Vidalia onion season is underway as seedbeds are currently being planted in Southeast Georgia. Chris Tyson, University of Georgia Extension area onion agent at the Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia, talked about his growers’ mindsets and the industry’s outlook heading into the fall, especially following season’s challenges that included Hurricane Helene …
Low Input Research Trial: Pecan Varieties Still Require Minimal Fungicide Sprays
By Clint Thompson Low input pecan varieties does not imply zero fungicide applications for scab disease. It means minimal sprays for scab-resistant varieties. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist, highlighted his research into low input varieties like Lakota, Excel and McMillan during the Georgia Pecan Growers Association Fall Field Day on Sept. 4 at the UGA Ponder Farm …
Spray Now for Black Pecan Aphids
By Clint Thompson Pecan harvest season is just around the corner for growers in Georgia and Alabama. That does not mean that producers should be complete with their management programs. One pest that producers must be wary of this time of year is the black pecan aphids. Its presence in orchards this season makes it a threat to a promising …
Phytophthora Root Rot a Concern in Cold-Hardy Region
Phytophthora root rot’s impact on young citrus trees is concerning for groves in the cold-hardy citrus region of North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama. Newly planted trees are more vulnerable to the disease than older, established trees, says Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia assistant professor and small fruits pathologist. He discussed the disease’s impact during the Citrus Grower’s Summer …