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 …
What to Expect? Pecan Beginners Class Scheduled for March 28
By Clint Thompson Interest in producing pecans in the Southeast has not waned; even with prices plummeting in recent years and input costs skyrocketing. Growers are still establishing orchards, and those interested in producing trees are signing up for the pecan beginner’s class, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist. “We still have a fair amount of …
Harvest Nears for Vidalia Onion Crop
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s Vidalia onion producers are getting closer to harvesting this year’s crop. Cliff Riner, Vidalia Onion Committee chairman, discussed the expected timeframe growers have in preparing to pick this year’s onions. “Most everything’s going to be the end of March and first of April to start. We’ll probably see a slight gap after the very first ones …
Legislation Passes for Georgia Citrus Commission
By Clint Thompson Georgia citrus farmers and industry leaders scored a legislative victory on Monday when the state Senate overwhelmingly passed the proposal to start a Georgia Citrus Commission. The win for the industry will come when Gov. Brian Kemp signs it into law. The legislation states, “There shall be an Agricultural Commodity Commission for Citrus Fruits established on July …
Sen. Ossoff: Georgia Farmers Need Results
By Clint Thompson U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff (GA) is ensuring Georgia’s specialty crop producers have a voice in the ongoing Farm Bill discussions. Ossoff has been in Georgia this week, meeting with farmers and industry leaders, discussing their needs and what must be included in this year’s Farm Bill. He discussed the meetings he has had with growers in the …
Warm February Accelerates Vidalia Onion Production
By Clint Thompson Vidalia onion plants are nearing harvest time. That timeframe was accelerated this year thanks to warmer temperatures in February. Chris Tyson, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension area onion agent, discussed the progression of this year’s crop. “Looking at the heat units, obviously, everybody knows that it was really warm in February and the heat unit model that …
Sen. Ossoff Working to Strengthen Georgia’s Fast-Growing Citrus Industry
Ochlocknee, Ga. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is launching a push to strengthen Georgia’s citrus industry. Ossoff is meeting with farmers and growers from key agricultural industries this week, as Congress continues to discuss this year’s Farm Bill, legislation that includes key programs, such as agricultural research, crop insurance, commodity pricing and more. Ossoff heard directly from citrus growers in …
Plant Pecan Trees Early, Not Late
By Clint Thompson Pecan trees planted in March are at disadvantage when compared to those planted in January and February. Growers should abstain from trying to plant new trees during this time of year, believes Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension pecan specialist. UGA research shows that trees trying to get established in early spring will struggle compared …
USDA, Sen. Ossoff, Rep. Bishop Announce Expansion of Local Foods in School Meals with Georgia
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt and Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Stacy Dean, along with U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and U.S. Representative Sanford Bishop Jr. (GA-02), announced on Monday the signing of a cooperative agreement between USDA and Georgia for more than …