By Clint Thompson Vidalia onion harvests continue across the Southeast Georgia region. Producers are yearning for dry weather over the next several weeks. Not only will a lack of rainfall allow growers to harvest their crop in a timely fashion, it will also decrease the potential for disease development as onions are harvested and placed into cold storage. Cliff Riner, …
Neopestalotiopsis Confirmed in Georgia Strawberries
By Clint Thompson Neopestalotiopsis disease has been confirmed in Georgia strawberries this year. While the confirmation is isolated to one South Georgia field, growers should be wary that the pathogen is present in the region. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist, discussed what the discovery means for the state’s producers. “So far this year we …
Vidalia Onion Producer: We’re Probably About a Week Behind
By Clint Thompson Harvests of early-season varieties of Vidalia onions are lagging behind compared to previous years. That could soon be problematic for growers as the season continues in Southeast Georgia. Jimmy Cowart, who farms 430 acres in Toombs County, highlights the concern he has with certain onions not being fully mature this early in the harvest season. “It’s been …
Georgia Blueberries Expected Sooner Than Normal
By Clint Thompson Georgia blueberries are expected to be ready for harvest earlier than normal this year. One producer believes it is due to the warm temperatures the region experienced in February. Albert Wildes, who operates 50 acres in Alma, Georgia, said harvests should begin within the next two weeks for his crop. “I have not started harvesting. There’s just …
Be on the Lookout: Thrips Could Be Concerning for Vidalia Onion Producers
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 …