LaGrange, Georgia — Recently issued reports from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) failed to identify sources of pathogen-related foodborne illness outbreaks, yet the investigative methodology and report conclusions yield important information for growers and packers. In a report titled “Factors Potentially Contributing to the Contamination of Cantaloupe…”, the FDA published 10 recommendation and requirements for growers of melons and …
New Grape Grower Symposium This Saturday
By Clint Thompson Producers interested in learning how to grow grapes should make plans to attend a New Grape Grower Symposium on Saturday, June 24 at the Carroll County Agricultural Education Center in Carrollton, Georgia. The symposium is for those considering the process and those in the first few years of producing grapes. It could also serve as a refresher …
Rainy Impact: Pecan Producers Protect Your Crop Against Scab Disease
By Clint Thompson First and foremost on the minds of pecan producers in Georgia and Alabama should be prevention of any potential scab disease development following recent storms. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan specialist, discusses why this time of the production season is so important for growers to apply fungicides and protect their pecans from the disease. …
Pumpkin Plantings Under Way Across North Georgia
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 …