Georgia watermelon producers are not concerned about how excessive rains in February will impact their plantings in March – not yet anyway. Dick Minor, with Minor Produce Inc. in Andersonville, Georgia, says Georgia watermelon farmers are still weeks away from needing to get in the field to plant this year’s crop. “We’re still a couple of weeks at the earliest …
Pecan Promotions: USDA Seeks Nominees for Board
Southeast pecan producers interested in serving on the American Pecan Promotion Board can submit a nomination no later than March 26. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking nominations for the board under the Pecan Promotion, Research, and Information Order. The board will be comprised of 17 members; 10 producers and seven importers. The producers …
‘Protect Your Peach’: GDA Launches New Campaign
Georgia Department of Agriculture ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Agriculture wants Georgians to ‘Protect the Peach.’ The new campaign is implemented to help inform rural Georgians about the best ways to protect their communities amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. GDA’s Georgia Grown program has partnered with Georgia Farm Bureau, the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service and state commodity …
Wage Increase: H-2A Workers Receiving Bump in Hourly Rate
Southeast producers who utilize the H-2A program finally know what the minimum wage is they must pay in 2021. The USDA Farm Labor Survey revealed that wage rates for H-2A labor are increasing at an average rate of 4.5% or $0.63 per hour across the country. For the Southeast, though, those levels are much lower. Florida’s wages will increase by …
Using Pesticides Wisely: UGA, GDA Offering Program in March, April
For the second straight year, the Using Pesticides Wisely program will be offered in a virtual format amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The training, which is offered by the University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension and Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA), will be offered on 11 different dates in March and April. University of Georgia Extension weed specialist Stanley Culpepper …
Onion Disease Management in Georgia
By Bhabesh Dutta The climate prevalent in the Vidalia onion zone (southeastern Georgia) is conducive to many diseases. Among the diseases, those that are caused by bacteria and fungi are the prominent ones. Some of the diseases caused by water molds or oomycetes (Pythium damping-off and downy mildew) can also be seen periodically. Based on my experience as a vegetable …
Cutting Costs: Pecan Producers Can Save Money by Avoiding Unnecessary Phosphorus Applications
In a time when prices are low and expenses are high, pecan producers need to cut costs, not corners. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist, believes farmers can hold back in applying certain nutrients this year, if there is an abundant supply already in the orchard. Take phosphorus for example. “Most of our orchards are high in …
Seed Facility: Bayer Opens Distribution Center in South Georgia
A new fruit and vegetable seed distribution center will provide seed to Southeast produce farmers in a timely and efficient fashion. Bayer Vegetable Seeds announced the opening of its new distribution center in Valdosta, Georgia, located about 10 minutes from the Georgia-Florida state line. It will provide access to its Seminis branded large seed portfolio. Currently, the distribution center is …
Less Efficacy: UGA Onion Trials Show Reduced Impact on Botrytis Leaf Blight
University of Georgia research trials show that two fungicides may be losing their efficacy in the control of Botrytis Leaf Blight of Vidalia onions. Chris Tyson, University of Georgia Extension Area Onion Agent at the Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia, informed onion producers and industry leaders during a webinar last week that Scala and Luna Tranquility …
Snowball Effect: Wet Weather Could Impact Fall Plantings
Weather forecasts call for sunshine every day but Monday this week in South Georgia. It’s not a moment too soon for vegetable farmers itching to get in the field. Unfortunately, the excessive winter rains have delayed work for producers. It could have a snowball effect heading into next fall, says Sam Watson, managing partner of Chill C Farms in Colquitt …