By Ashley N Biles for CAES News Industry professionals, homeowners and researchers will soon get a firsthand look at new irrigation technologies in action at a demonstration irrigation site being constructed on the University of Georgia’s Griffin campus. On March 28, workers broke ground on the project, which is a collaboration between the UGA Center for Urban Agriculture, UGA Cooperative …
Supply Chain Emergency in Georgia
Georgia governor Brian Kemp’s executive order declaring a supply chain emergency for his state will remain in effect through Sunday, May 15. The main points of the executive order include: “No motor carrier operating under the terms of this State of Emergency will require or allow an ill or fatigued driver to operate a motor vehicle. A driver who notifies …
Date Set for Southeast Georgia Pecan Field Day
Pecan producers in Southeast Georgia can mark their calendars for the next University of Georgia Extension Southeast Georgia Pecan Field Day. The event will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 17 in Baxley, Georgia. Equipment viewing will start at 8 a.m., while the field day will begin at 9 a.m. Those interested in attending can call 912-367-8130 to sign up. The …
Georgia Peach Producers Stay Diligent with Fungicide Sprays Amid Dry Conditions
By Clint Thompson Dry conditions that are prevalent in much of Georgia should not be mistaken as an opportunity for the state’s peach producers to let up on their fungicide spray program. Even as the crop nears harvest, farmers should stay diligent with their fungicide applications, says Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Extension fruit disease specialist. “The spray program, cover …
Georgia Watermelon Crop Stymied by Adverse Weather Conditions
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s watermelon crop is off to a sluggish start following cool temperatures, heavy rains and high winds in recent weeks. Ty Torrance, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable agent for Colquitt, Tift and Worth counties, describes the impact he has noticed in fields so far. “There’s a little bit of cold injury. The largest impact is everything’s …
U.S. Drought Monitor: Latest Update for Southeast
South Florida continues to experience various levels of dry conditions, according to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Severe drought conditions are observed along the southwestern part of the state, in Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee and Collier counties. Moderate dry conditions are being felt in the south-central region, as far north as Hillsborough, Polk and Osceola counties and as far …
Freeze Event was ‘Gruesome’ for Blueberries
By Clint Thompson The freeze event during the March 12-13 weekend wiped out at least half of Georgia’s blueberry crop this season, according to early estimates. More than 54 million pounds of blueberries were lost when temperatures dropped into the 20s on that fateful Sunday morning. Temperatures were as low as 26 degrees Fahrenheit in Alma, Georgia on March 13, …
Weather Impacting Vidalia Onion Quality?
By Clint Thompson Vidalia onion harvests have begun in Southeast Georgia. Early returns are positive despite changing weather patterns over the past month, says one Georgia farmer. “Overall, the quality looks like it’s going to be fair quality,” said producer Aries Haygood. “These changes in these weather patterns the last three or four weeks has got us a little bit …
Giant Pestiferous Lizards a Threat to Fruits and Vegetables in South Georgia
By Rick Lavender for CAES News Warming temperatures will have tegus on the move in southeast Georgia. Residents and farmers are asked to report sightings of tegus, alive or dead. This is needed to keep the big, South American lizards from gaining a foothold in the state, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR). These reptiles, the largest …
Vidalia Onion Field Day: Information for Industry’s Future
By Clint Thompson Vidalia onion farmers are not just managing their crop for this season. They are planning for future seasons as well. That is why Wednesday’s Vidalia Onion Field Day was an important day for the industry. Research conducted at the University of Georgia Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center (VOVRC) in Lyons, Georgia is vital to the industry’s …