By Frank Giles Peach breeders at Clemson University and University of Georgia (UGA) work to develop varieties that are suited for the Southeast climate and for resistance to various pests. Dario Chavez, UGA associate professor, describes a rootstock developed in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Ksenija Gasic, Clemson professor, describes three newer peach variety releases. P-22 Rootstock P-22 …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Georgia Grower Sees Strong Peach Production
By Clint Thompson Harvest season is just around the corner for Southeast peach producers. For Lane Southern Orchards in Central Georgia, this means working round the clock this time of year. “The H-2A contracts start in February, so that’s when peach season starts,” says Tyler Wainwright, farm manager for Lane Southern Orchards. Wainwright oversees production practices in peach orchards west …
Georgia Watermelon Harvests Still More Than a Week Away
By Clint Thompson A South Georgia watermelon scout believes this year’s crop is still more than a week away from being harvested. “I feel like they are every bit of two weeks off,” said Flanders in an interview with AgNet Media on May 18. “So, I would say it’s going to be two weeks, maybe a little bit longer. And …
Cotton Jassid Still Absent in Georgia Fields
By Clint Thompson The cotton jassid’s lingering absence in fields across South Georgia is a win for vegetable producers in the middle of this year’s spring season. Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist, said the insect hasn’t been detected since about February, though researchers and Extension agents have been closely monitoring traps set up across the region. …
Maintaining, Not Growing: Industry Expert Discusses Future of Georgia Peaches
By Clint Thompson Georgia will always be known as the “Peach State.” But at this point, it may just be about maintaining production instead of growing as an industry. There are multiple reasons for that, believes Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties. “I don’t know that in the middle …
Producers Be Aware of Pecan Nut Casebearer
By Clint Thompson Southeast pecan growers should be aware that this week provides the last window to protect this year’s crop from the pecan nut casebearer. Apurba Barman, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan entomologist, said the insect has two flights within a couple of months, but it’s this first one that can have more impact. “Growers make an application …
Extension Leader Testimonial: We Need to Rally Around Our Farmers
By Clint Thompson The future of the American family farm is very much up in the air. More and more farms are closing up shop, while more and more agricultural lands are being used for anything besides agriculture. That’s concerning for industry leader Stanley Culpepper. Culpepper, a University of Georgia Extension weed specialist, spoke at the recent Southeastern Specialty Crop …
Cost Prohibitive? AI Adoption in Agriculture May Be Limited
By Clint Thompson Adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in agriculture is not a foregone conclusion. Despite the technology’s perceived effectiveness in making crop production more efficient, the associated costs are still too high for farmers. “Right now, a lot of these technologies come with huge price tags for just the cost of purchasing the equipment,” said Lynn Sosnoskie, assistant professor …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Peach Growers Aim to Avoid Bacterial Spot Disease
By Clint Thompson A prolonged dry period in recent months across the Southeast meant unfavorable weather conditions for bacterial spot disease to flourish in peach orchards. But that doesn’t mean growers should let their guard down with trying to keep the disease from impacting the crop like it did in 2025. “Yes, drier is much better,” said Phil Brannen, University …
UGA, UF/IFAS Set to Host Irrigation Expo
By Clint Thompson The Georgia/Florida Irrigation Expo is slated for Wednesday, June 10 at the University of Georgia (UGA) Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia. The UGA and University of Florida (UF) Extension Services are partnering with local RC&D councils and Soil & Water Conservation Districts to host the expo with a focus on irrigation. Cale Cloud, …



















