Cotton Jassid Impacting Georgia Vegetable Crops

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Georgia vegetable growers must be wary of a new insect pest that could impact a couple of crops this fall. Stormy Sparks, UGA Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist, discussed the Cotton Jassid. “The other thing that has shown up is the cotton two-spotted leaf hopper or Cotton Jassid. (About a month ago) we didn’t even know if it …

Looking Ahead: Vidalia Onion Seedbeds to Be Planted in September

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Vidalia onion growers are a few weeks away from planting this year’s seedbeds. Chris Tyson, University of Georgia Extension area onion agent at the Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia, said plantings will commence in September, with some seed going in the ground during the first couple of weeks. “We’ll probably start the very …

Last-Minute Sprays: Pecan Producers Protecting Against Scab Disease

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Persistent rains in recent weeks have Georgia pecan producers concerned about scab disease with harvest season looming. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan specialist, discussed disease development which spiked concerns following excessive rains during the first week in August. “(The rain) probably causes more problems than solutions right now. The biggest issue over the last …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Methods for Managing Watermelon Disease

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Frank Giles In watermelon, diseases can spread fast. In fields where diseases have a history of establishment, outbreaks can arise quickly when conditions are favorable. Most production guides recommend a lengthy rotation of watermelon in fields to help reduce disease inoculum. According to Bhabesh Dutta, professor of plant pathology and Extension vegetable disease specialist for the University of Georgia …

VOC Seeking Committee Nominations

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

Attention Georgia Vidalia onion producers: The Vidalia Onion Committee (VOC) is seeking nominations from industry producers. The VOC elects eight new nominees annually. Four members and four alternate seats are currently available on the committee. The VOC administers the Federal Marketing Order 955 locally and consists of eight producer members and their alternates, one public member and an alternate. The …

Summer Update Informs Growers on Impactful Issues

Dan CooperEvents, Georgia

The annual Citrus Grower’s Summer Update meeting on Aug. 14 in Valdosta, Georgia, provided cold-hardy growers with updates on several factors impacting the industry. Information on topics ranging from snails to phytophthora to Asian citrus psyllid trapping were presented to growers who are on the cusp of harvesting another season’s crop. Jake Price, University of Georgia (UGA) area citrus agent …

insect pests

Insect Pests To Watch for in Georgia

Dan CooperGeorgia, Pests

Georgia citrus growers are a couple of months away from harvest season. If producers are going to maximize this year’s crop, they need to protect it from insect pests. Apurba Barman, University of Georgia assistant professor of entomology at the Tifton Campus, discussed insect pests during the Southeast Citrus Update in Lyons, Georgia on July 24. He focused on a …

Scab Infection of ‘Avalon’ Pecan Variety in Northeast Georgia

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson The appeal of the pecan variety ‘Avalon’ is that it produces high yields and has excellent scab resistance in University of Georgia research trials. But its recent susceptibility to scab in some Georgia orchards is a key development for growers contemplating planting the variety in the future. UGA pecan breeder Patrick Conner noted in the UGA Extension …

Fall Vulnerability: Any Tropical Activity Can Be Devastating This Time of Year

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson A tropical storm or hurricane in the fall can be more devastating to farmers than if it occurred earlier in the year. Just look at Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Or Hurricane Michael in October 2018. Two of the most impactful storms in the Southeast in recent memory impacted fruit and vegetable crops, along with cotton and …

citrus greening

Preventing Citrus Greening Establishment in Georgia Groves

Dan CooperDisease, Georgia, HLB Management

Citrus greening disease has yet to find its footing in Georgia. But that doesn’t mean it can’t or won’t eventually. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, discussed the ramifications of citrus greening during the recent Southeast Citrus Update in Lyons, Georgia. “If we get greening established here, we’ll start seeing lower and lower production on …