By Clint Thompson Thrips populations have spiked in recent weeks. Vidalia onion producers should be wary of these insects and their impact on a crop that is currently being harvested in Southeast Georgia. Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist, highlighted what he has observed in vegetable fields recently with regards to thrips infestations. “In general, over …
Vidalia Onion Harvests Underway Across Southeast Georgia
By Clint Thompson The Vidalia onion harvest season is in full swing across Southeast Georgia. After a production season that’s experienced multiple days of sub-freezing temperatures during Christmas, along with an occurrence of downy mildew disease this spring, producers are thankful for the crop they’re harvesting. Cliff Riner, Vidalia Onion Committee chairman, discussed what growers are experiencing during this early …
Upon Further Review: Warm February Detrimental to Peach Crop This Year
By Clint Thompson Abnormal weather conditions brought warm temperatures to Georgia in February. Unfortunately, it also led to peach trees blooming earlier than they were used to. The result was extreme vulnerability to a pair of freeze events in March that has impacted the crop statewide. “People talk about late freezes, but it really wasn’t that late. March is wintertime. …
GA Senators Pass Resolution for Farmworker Awareness Week
Georgia Senators Sam Watson (District 11), Shelly Echols (District 49), Larry Walker III (District 20), Lee Anderson (District 24) and Russ Goodman (8th District) filed a resolution last week that recognized March 25-31, 2023, as Farmworker Awareness Week. Watson, managing partner of Chill C Farms in Moultrie, Georgia, who produces squash, zucchini, bell pepper, cabbage, eggplant and cucumbers, highlighted the …
Freeze Events ‘Bad Timing’ For Peaches
By Clint Thompson The impact on Georgia peaches from two March freeze events is still under review, though trees were negatively affected. There was no way they couldn’t have been, especially with the unseasonably warm temperatures in February. “It’s been bad as far as the cold. It’s not what we need, it’s what I was afraid was going to happen. …
Cold Weather Events Impact Early Peach Varieties
By Clint Thompson Two sub-freezing weather events in recent weeks have impacted Georgia’s peach crop. Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties, believes the early-maturing peaches were the varieties impacted the most by temperatures that dropped below 30 degrees Fahrenheit (F) in consecutive weeks. “It looks like our earlier stuff …
What to Expect? Pecan Beginners Class Scheduled for March 28
By Clint Thompson Interest in producing pecans in the Southeast has not waned; even with prices plummeting in recent years and input costs skyrocketing. Growers are still establishing orchards, and those interested in producing trees are signing up for the pecan beginner’s class, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist. “We still have a fair amount of …
Harvest Nears for Vidalia Onion Crop
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s Vidalia onion producers are getting closer to harvesting this year’s crop. Cliff Riner, Vidalia Onion Committee chairman, discussed the expected timeframe growers have in preparing to pick this year’s onions. “Most everything’s going to be the end of March and first of April to start. We’ll probably see a slight gap after the very first ones …
Legislation Passes for Georgia Citrus Commission
By Clint Thompson Georgia citrus farmers and industry leaders scored a legislative victory on Monday when the state Senate overwhelmingly passed the proposal to start a Georgia Citrus Commission. The win for the industry will come when Gov. Brian Kemp signs it into law. The legislation states, “There shall be an Agricultural Commodity Commission for Citrus Fruits established on July …
Sen. Ossoff: Georgia Farmers Need Results
By Clint Thompson U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff (GA) is ensuring Georgia’s specialty crop producers have a voice in the ongoing Farm Bill discussions. Ossoff has been in Georgia this week, meeting with farmers and industry leaders, discussing their needs and what must be included in this year’s Farm Bill. He discussed the meetings he has had with growers in the …