By Clint Thompson Georgia’s Vidalia onion crop was high in quality but low in quantity this year, according to one industry expert. With the weather challenges that growers experienced across the region, it’s not a surprise that production dropped this year. “The crop’s not as big this year. What we have is good quality,” said Chris Tyson, University of Georgia …
UGA Studying Anthracnose’s Impact in Cucurbits
By Clint Thompson University of Georgia (UGA) research into anthracnose’s impact in cucurbits has one scientist studying disease resistance from multiple angles. “My part of the research is screening cucumber and watermelon varieties for resistance against anthracnose. There’s already resistant varieties for anthracnose race 1,” said Ted McAvoy, UGA Extension vegetable specialist. “If that’s the race we have, they should …
Research Options for Fusarium Wilt
By Clint Thompson Fusarium wilt’s complexity as a disease threat to watermelons in the Southeast makes it a challenge for research scientists to develop an effective management strategy. University of Georgia Extension Vegetable Plant Pathologist Bhabesh Dutta is researching options so growers can attack the disease from multiple angles. “The first thing I’m evaluating is the assessment of different novel …
MAHA Report Could Have Global Impact
By Clint Thompson Southeast fruit and vegetable producers are not the only ones that could feel the sting from the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission report. It’s a global concern, says Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association. Butts stressed the need that growers continue to have access following the report’s potential negative impact. …
Thrips Pressure High in Peaches
By Clint Thompson Thrips pressure has been high this year in peaches in the Southeast. Their impact started earlier than normal, according to Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. “In years past, we’ve had thrips, mid-season, right now with some of our darker, red-colored fruit. The thrips feed on the …
Georgia Legislators Discuss HB 143
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s legislative session saw the introduction and passage of HB 143, a bill that places the financial responsibility of installing agricultural irrigation water meters on the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Environmental Protection Division (EPD). Robert Dickey, chairman of the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, discussed the bill’s passage during a recent webinar hosted by the …
Georgia Watermelon Harvests Starting This Week
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s watermelon harvests are expected to pick up this week amid an unfortunate market decline for the region’s watermelon growers. Ty Torrance, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable agent for Colquitt, Tift and Worth counties, discussed the status of the watermelon crop in his region. He believes the lack of rain in some areas impacted the crops, …
Insect Update in Georgia Vegetables
By Clint Thompson Spring vegetable season is in full swing in South Georgia. Vegetable farmers are managing pests and diseases that are challenging this year’s crops. Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist, highlighted pests that have been a challenge this year for producers, including one in particular. “I think thrips have been a problem this spring. …
Weather Forecasts: Warmer Temps This Summer
By Clint Thompson The upcoming summer months are projected to be warmer than normal. That’s the forecast shared by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist, noted in the UGA Extension Climate Blog that the forecast of warmer temperatures in June through August is not a surprising prediction. She said it is …
Southeast Ag Leaders Stress Crop Protection Tools Importance Amid MAHA Commission Report
By Clint Thompson Southeast specialty crop industry leaders are stressing the need for crop protection tools amid a report from the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission that raises the possibility that the federal government could restrict farmers’ access to these essential inputs. The Modern Ag Alliance highlighted in a press release how the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) boasts one …