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 To Watch for in Georgia
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
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
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 …
Preventing Citrus Greening Establishment in Georgia Groves
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 …
Attention Fall Vegetable Farmers: Whitefly Populations Increasing Throughout Region
By Clint Thompson Georgia vegetable farmers must be aware that whitefly populations have spiked in recent weeks, according to Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist. It’s a concern for producers preparing their fall crops. “Whiteflies really jumped (recently). (This week’s rain) may slow them down. I had a patch of soybeans there on the station where …
UGA Extension Pecan Specialist: Expect Nut Drop from Water Stage Fruit Split
By Clint Thompson An excessive amount of rainfall throughout South Georgia in recent weeks will lead to some pecans falling prematurely. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan specialist, cautioned growers in the UGA Pecan Extension Blog that the recent rains have come during shell hardening. It will lead to “nuts hitting the ground over the next week or …
Production Preview: Low Crop Prices Could Impact Fall Season
By Clint Thompson Low vegetable prices this spring impacted the bottom line for southeast growers. They also could impact producers’ intentions when managing their fall crops, says Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. “The biggest issue, I think more so than the weather, is that prices were very low this spring …
Honeymoon Phase for Georgia Citrus Production
Georgia citrus growers are still in the honeymoon phase of production with regards to disease, said Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and small fruits pathologist. While established groves in Florida have had to deal with disease buildup for decades, disease has yet to be problematic for South Georgia citrus production. But that could be changing. “With respect …
South Georgia Farmer: We’ve Gone From One Extreme Weather Event to the Other
By Clint Thompson South Georgia vegetable farmers have gone from one extreme weather event to the other in recent weeks. The lack of rainfall created abnormally dry conditions for most of the latter part of July. However, weather conditions changed this week with excessive rainfall. Georgia producers like Sam Watson are having to navigate the weather challenges in preparing to …