Category Archive

By Clint Thompson Pecan harvests will begin soon across the Southeast. With harvest season on the horizon in Georgia and Alabama, growers are also winding down their fungicide sprays for scab disease. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist, talked about what fungicide sprays remain for growers, which largely depends on the variety. “Pawnee, which is of course is …

By Clint Thompson Scab disease may be becoming harder to control on the Pawnee pecan variety. That’s a concern shared by Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan specialist. Wells noted in the UGA Pecan Blog that his team saw more scab on Pawnee last year than what is observed in Desirables, a notoriously scab susceptible variety. “I had …

By Clint Thompson Stress is synonymous with farming these days. Increased costs have amplified those concerns for producers, whether they are in row crop production or are producing fruits and vegetables. Diesel prices are averaging $5.35 per gallon. Fertilizer prices remain high, as are chemical costs. The spike in input expenses are worsened since market prices have not improved for …

By Clint Thompson The ongoing threat of the yellow-legged hornet (YLH) to honey bee populations in the Southeast should concern the region’s fruit and vegetable producers, says University of Georgia Honey Bee Program Director Jamie Ellis. “Honey bees are incredibly important providers of pollination services. Many of the crops grown in Georgia, for example, blueberries, watermelons, cucumbers, cantaloupes, squashes; are …

By Clint Thompson One of the top vegetable farmers in the Southeast is not immune to the inflationary costs impacting growers these days. In fact, Georgia farmer Kent Hamilton said his input costs have spiked every year since COVID. “We’ve got hit hard from every angle. And to be honest with you, ’21, ’22, and ’23, our business lost money, …

By Tyler J Harper Georgia’s specialty crop growers are the backbone of a diverse and resilient agricultural economy. From fruits and tree nuts to vegetables, specialty crops play a critical role in feeding families, supporting rural communities and strengthening Georgia’s position as a national leader in agriculture. In 2024 alone, specialty crops contributed a massive $1.5 billion farm-gate value and …

By Clint Thompson Harvest season has come and gone for most watermelon growers in the Southeast. While producers are done producing this year’s crop, they are not done with its management. Growers are encouraged to disk any unwanted melons in the field once the season has ended, according to Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia College of …

By Clint Thompson The prolonged drought that lingered across the Southeast is still being observed in parts of Alabama, Florida and Georgia; just to a lesser extent. The most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows dry areas still present in all three states. Pam Knox, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension agricultural climatologist, talked about the drought and how …