By Clint Thompson The abnormally dry conditions are sweltering across much of the Southeast, according to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Most of Florida is either abnormally dry or moderately dry. The conditions are worse in the north-central part of Florida, in Jefferson, Madison and Hamilton counties and extending southward to Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties. In Georgia, …
Vidalia Onions Official Packing Date Slated for April 12
The Georgia Department of Agriculture and the Vidalia Onion Committee announced on Wednesday that April 12 will be the official pack date for the 2022 Vidalia onion season. “Each year, I along with the Vidalia Onion Committee, look forward to sharing when Vidalia onions will be on their way to stores, so I’m pleased to announce April 12 as the …
Industry Expert: Number of Georgia Hemp Licenses to Decline in 2022
By Clint Thompson The number of Georgia producers applying for a license to grow hemp is expected to decrease in 2022. Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, said the level of interest among growers has dropped significantly from previous years. “It’s marketing and the financial side of things. Basically, there’s so …
Downy Mildew Disease: Fungicide Resistance a Concern for Grape Producers
By Clint Thompson Downy mildew disease in Southeast grape production is bad enough. The problem is exacerbated as disease resistance continues to worsen. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Fruit Disease Specialist, explains the concerns that producers in Georgia and Alabama should have about the potential for further resistance developing. “There’s already been resistance to the strobilurin (quinone outside …
Row Crop Farmers Starting to Grow Citrus
Citrus acreage continues to increase across the North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama regions. Interest has expanded to large row crop farmers, who see citrus as a viable alternative crop, said Kim Jones at the Feb. 17 Citrus Health Forum meeting at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences North Florida Research and Education Center. Jones …
Vidalia Onion Growers Encouraged to Look Out for Downy Mildew
By Clint Thompson It is that time of year when Georgia’s Vidalia onion producers need to be monitoring their crop for downy mildew disease. It was not reported in any of the crop in 2021. But downy mildew is a concern every year for growers. It is mainly due to how quickly it spreads, says Chris Tyson, University of Georgia …
Why Not Do It? Hedging Pecan Trees Provides Multiple Advantages
By Clint Thompson There are so many advantages to growers hedging their pecan trees, there is no reason not to do it. That is the mindset shared by Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist. He continues to implore Southeast pecan producers to hedge their trees this offseason. “You minimize the alternate bearing. You get better quality and get …
Plan Now, Reap Rewards Later
By Clint Thompson Now is the time for growers to make preparations for the upcoming spring season. Jessie Rowan, Alabama regional Extension agent, who specializes in commercial horticulture and farm and agribusiness management, explains why. “Come end of February, March and early April, they’ll do a lot of that physical preparing of the land, of the crops. Now they’re doing …
Chill Accumulation Update for Georgia Peaches
The number of chilling hours for Georgia peaches are just below last year but above marks recorded in 2018-2019 and 2019-2020, according to the University of Georgia (UGA) Extension peach blog. The number of hours are classified in two different models; the Weinberger model (number of hours below 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F)); and the modified Weinberger model (number of hours …
How to Protect Young Peaches from Plum Curculio
The onset of spring means preparing for insect pests if you are a fruit tree producer. Plum curculio is the most destructive insect that attacks early-season fruit. “If you have fruiting trees, especially peaches, now is the time to ramp up your monitoring efforts for plum curculio to determine if and when management decisions will need to be made,” urged …