By Clint Thompson Pumpkin plantings have begun in North Georgia. One farmer is hopeful for another successful season that can maybe take some of the sting out of a disappointing peach year. Drew Echols, owner of Jaemor Farms in north Georgia, provided his outlook for the upcoming season which started with last week’s initial plantings. “Pumpkins are one of those …
CAES Researchers Find Solution to Keep Produce Fresh
By Emily Cabrera Despite technological advances, food loss continues to be a problem throughout the U.S., says Angelos Deltsidis, assistant professor of horticulture in the University of Georgia’s (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES). “It’s not only environmentally unsustainable, but economically as well. Farmers pay to grow and harvest their produce, and they are also the ones who …
UGA Specialist: Peach Producers to Try to Minimize Costs Ahead of Next Season
By Clint Thompson Peach producers struggling to produce a crop this year are likely already starting to think about next season. It is all about reducing input costs at this point, believes Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties. “Going forward, they’re probably going to do as little as possible …
Christmas Freeze Effect: Shorter Vidalia Onion Crop This Year
By Clint Thompson There were fewer Vidalia onions in Georgia this year. It was a direct result of the freeze event during last Christmas, believes Chris Tyson, University of Georgia Extension area onion agent at the Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia. He discussed how much of this year’s crop was lost as a result of multiple …
UGA Scientist Identifies Needs in Precision Agriculture
By Clint Thompson Precision agriculture innovations are required for sustainability to be a reality for specialty crop producers in the Southeast. That is why the International Conference of Integrative Precision Agriculture was held in Athens, Georgia in May. That is why growers presented their concerns to industry specialists like Ash Sial, University of Georgia (UGA) entomologist. He identified the main …
Georgia Watermelon Producer: Expected Gap for Volume
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s delayed start to the watermelon season means an expected gap could hit the market this week in the Southeast. Greg Leger, owner of Leger & Son, Inc, in Cordele, Georgia, said he will not begin harvesting until next week, which is in line with the scenario most growers are facing. “I’m looking at the (June) 12th …
Specialty Crop’s Importance to Georgia
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s specialty crop sector remains vital to the state’s economy. Its value continues to grow in importance, according to Ben Campbell, associate professor in the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Ag and Applied Economics Department. “Specialty crops are a big player in the Ag industry. You think of greenhouses, you think of …
UGA Research: Another Option in Managing Fusarium Wilt?
By Clint Thompson A five-county University of Georgia (UGA) Extension research project is yielding positive results regarding the management of fusarium wilt disease. The research from the South Georgia counties of Berrien, Cook, Crisp, Wilcox and Turner has potentially provided another tool in the toolbox for watermelon growers challenged with this annual problem. Extension agents have researched various rootstocks and …
Increase Fungicide Sprays: More Rain Means Higher Probability of Disease
By Clint Thompson Increased rainfall in Georgia means specialty crop producers should be increasing their fungicide applications. Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, cautions growers about the disease potential in areas of increased moisture. “It’s the same ol’ thing where drought for most vegetable growers, drought isn’t really that bad of …
Don’t Miss the Deadline: Blueberry Commodity Commission Nominations Due by May 26
Any blueberry producer interested or knows someone that is interested in serving on the Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commission for Blueberries need to remember that nominations are due by Friday, May 26. Nomination forms can be found at – agr.georgia.gov/cpf, under the nomination form tab or by emailing andy.harrison@agr.georgia.gov. Nominations will be accepted through email or by mail at Andy Harrison, …