Earlier this year, Georgia apple producers voted to continue the Georgia Apple Commission Marketing Order for an additional three years. The new marketing order will allow the assessment rate to be changed from the current two cents per marketed bushel to a range of two to four cents per marketed bushel. The final rate will be established by the five …
Georgia Wine, Grape Producers Fail to Approve Marketing Order
Georgia wine producers voted against implementing a marketing order that would have created an assessment on all taxable wine produced by licensed Georgia wineries. Of the 58% of the eligible growers that voted between February 8 and March 9, only 38% voted in favor of the marketing order. The order would have allowed the Georgia Wine & Grape Commission to …
Vidalia Onion Crop Recovering from Recent Freeze Event
By Clint Thompson Warmer temperatures for Southeast Georgia are just what the doctor ordered for Vidalia onion plants still recovering from the recent freeze event. Cliff Riner, crop production manager for G&R Farms in Glennville, Georgia, said the crop’s progress was delayed by the sub-freezing temperatures on March 13. “One or two bad days of cold weather like that takes …
Vidalia Onion Field Day to be Held April 6
Farmers and industry leaders are invited to the annual Vidalia Onion Field Day, scheduled for April 6 at noon at the University of Georgia Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia. There will be a lunch, and attendees will be able to tour the research plots. The field day coincides with the beginning of harvest season. Georgia pesticide …
Blueberry Freeze Impact: More Accurate Assessment Expected Next Week
By Clint Thompson The impact from last week’s sub-freezing temperatures on Georgia blueberries will not be known until late next week. Jerome Crosby, chairman of the Georgia Blueberry Commission, said more detailed scouting next week should yield an accurate assessment of where the crop stands heading into the upcoming harvest season. “We’re trying to get some numbers together, field scouting …
Neglecting Weeds Can Lead to Late-Season Disease in Organic Onions
By Bhabesh Dutta, Timothy Grey and Jason Schmidt Georgia is known for many crops, and onion is one of the major vegetables produced. Organic onions are a developing commodity in the Vidalia region, but growers experience multiple pest and pathogen challenges. A multidisciplinary team of researchers at the University of Georgia (UGA) is working to improve sustainable, high-quality organic Vidalia …
Georgia Peach Grower: I Think We Dodged a Bullet; I Just Hope No More Bullets Come
State’s Crop Survives Weekend’s Sub-Freezing Temperatures By Clint Thompson Georgia’s peach crop appears to have survived the sub-freezing temperatures that were prevalent across the state this past weekend. Drew Echols, owner of Jaemor Farms in north Georgia, discussed the impact temperatures as cold as 18 degrees Fahreneheit had on his crop. “We were really just at about 30% bloom. Everything …
Georgia Peach Crop to Feel Impact of Weekend Temperatures
By Clint Thompson Potential sub-freezing temperatures this weekend could impact Georgia’s peach crop, which is already blooming, and in some orchards, peaches are already on trees. Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties, discussed the impact that the forecasted temperatures will have on the state’s peach crop. “We’ve got a …
Georgia Blueberry Production ‘Heavy,’ Earlier Than Normal
By Clint Thompson Most of Georgia’s blueberry production survived the late January freeze and is expected to have a bumper crop when harvesting commences in a month. Chris Reighberg, Colquitt County blueberry producer, shared that assessment when discussing the aftermath of the freeze event on Jan. 30. “We didn’t have freeze protection and we may have lost 10% at most. …
Expenses: What to Plan and Be Aware of
By Clint Thompson The spring season is just around the corner for Georgia’s specialty crop producers. High fertilizer expenses, increased gas and diesel prices and unpredictable weather conditions are just a few of the challenges farmers face over the next several months. Chris Butts, executive vice president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), discussed the mindset of …