By Clint Thompson The great author Charles Dickens once wrote, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” in his famous novel, A Tale of Two Cities. The current state of affairs can best be described as challenging times for Georgia’s specialty crop producers. Consider how input costs have skyrocketed since last spring; how labor availability …
Georgia Commercial Apple Production Meeting Announcement
University of Georgia Extension is looking forward to assisting Georgia’s commercial apple growers as the season progresses. To help get prepare for another year, Gilmer County Extension will host the annual North Georgia Apple Production Meeting. The production meeting will be held on Friday, Feb. 11, at the Gilmer County Public Library in the downstairs meeting room from 10 a.m. …
Phytophthora Root Rot a Problem in Georgia Strawberries
By Clint Thompson Georgia strawberry producers may not have had to deal with much of Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot this year, but phytophthora root rot is a different story. “Right now, this year, I’ve seen quite a few samples with phytophthora come in, unfortunately,” said University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Fruit Disease Specialist Phil Brannen. Brannen discussed some of the possibilities …
Pecan Nutrient Management: Cut Costs, Not Corners
By Clint Thompson Nutrient management is a way pecan producers can decrease their input costs heading into the 2022 harvest season, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist. It starts with soil samples, which can be done any time of the year. But Wells stresses that growers do it at the same time every year. “If you take …
Vidalia Onion Crop Update on Feb. 10
Vidalia onion producers mark your calendars. There will be a Vidalia onion crop update on Thursday, Feb. 10 at the University of Georgia Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia. The event will last from 10 a.m. to noon. UGA specialists and industry leaders will provide an update on the current crop’s status as well as any timely …
Peach Rootstock Research at the University of Georgia
By Dario J. Chavez, Jeff Cook and Tom G. Beckman Rootstocks are important for fruit production as they provide required protection for soil pests and pathogens. The most predominant peach rootstocks in the Southeastern United States are Guardian (Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina) and Flordaguard (Florida). Guardian (BY520-9) was released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service (USDA …
So Far So Good: Blueberry Growers Still Evaluating Crop After Frigid Temperatures
By Clint Thompson Frigid temperatures this past weekend had blueberry growers across the Southeast on high alert. Some applied frost protection, others did not. Some emerged mostly unscathed, while others experienced some damage. The full extent of the impact will not be fully known until later this week, says Renee Holland, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension area blueberry agent and …
Georgia Weather: Warmer, Wetter Conditions in 2021
By Pam Knox Georgia experienced its coldest year in 2021 since 2014, with an average temperature of 64.5 degrees Fahrenheit (F). But the temperature was still well above the long-term average of 63.4 F. It ranked the 20th warmest year since statewide records began in 1895. Lower temperatures than recent years The year started off warmer than normal, with above-average …
Georgia Strawberry: Minimal Reports of Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot So Far
By Clint Thompson Minimal reports of Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot disease in Georgia strawberries this year has one University of Georgia Extension fruit disease specialist encouraged. But the real test will come when temperatures warm up and row covers are removed, believes Phil Brannen. “Other than the one (farmer) that had it early who got his plants from one of those …
Georgia Ag Forecast on Friday, Jan. 28
University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension reminds specialty crop producers that this year’s Georgia Ag Forecast meeting will be held on Friday, Jan. 28 at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Georgia. The meeting will be held just one day this year and will include the latest economic projections for the U.S. and state agriculture to inform farmers …