By Clint Thompson Warmer temperatures in previous months led to earlier blooms for blueberry plants in the Southeast. That’s not good news for farmers, says Georgia producer Russ Goodman, co-owner of Cogdell Berry Farm in Clinch and Lanier counties. “We’ve got a lot more bloom right now than we would want I can tell you that. It’s not a good …
Georgia Pecan Estimate: Diminished Crop Compared to 2020
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s final pecan total this season is estimated to be less than half of its total in 2020. While that’s not a surprise to growers and industry leaders, it’s still a tough pill to swallow following last year’s 142 million pounds of production. “I don’t think it’s going to be much over 50 million pounds, if that,” …
Algal Stem Blotch Becoming Widespread in Georgia
By Jonathan Oliver Wet weather during 2021 contributed to the development of several significant disease issues on Georgia blueberries. Throughout the summer of 2021, rainfall across Georgia’s blueberry production belt was considerably above normal, and issues with phytophthora root rot and algal stem blotch were widely reported across southern Georgia during late summer and fall. Phytophthora root rot is one …
Chemistry Rotation Needed to Protect Peaches Against Plum Curculio
By Clint Thompson Southeast peach producers have a handle on plum curculio management. Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, wants to keep it that way. That’s why the UGA specialist continues to encourage rotation of chemistries to prevent insecticide resistance from occurring. Pyrethroids are growers’ best option for management. But …
Abnormally Dry Conditions Persist Across Southeast Region
The most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows dry conditions continue to persist across the Southeast region. This was observed in parts of Florida, Georgia and Alabama. Abnormally dry conditions were mostly seen in the Florida Panhandle, stretching from Escambia County eastward to Madison County. Dixie County, Levy County, Gilchrist County and a small part of Alachua County …
Sensors a Focal Point of Upcoming SE Regional Fruit, Vegetable Conference
By Clint Thompson Soil moisture sensors are an integral part of many farmers’ irrigation scheduling strategies. Wes Porter, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension precision agriculture and irrigation specialist, wants more growers to be aware of their benefits. That’s why he’s invited a South Georgia farmer Brandon DeWitt to speak at the upcoming Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference in Savannah, …
Warming Up: Unseasonable Temps Not Helping Chilling Requirements for Fruit Trees
By Clint Thompson Unseasonably warm conditions this winter is normal for a La Niña weather pattern. But it’s not what Southeast fruit tree producers want to experience. Not with chilling hours a vital part of the maturation process. Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension Agricultural Climatologist, said producers will keep an eye on what temperatures the new year brings – …
Register Now for Upcoming Ag Forecast
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Ag Forecast will be a one-day event in 2022. Instead of being held at multiple locations in January like prior years, next year’s event will be held at the University of Georgia (UGA) Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Georgia on Jan. 28. Mark McCann, assistant dean for University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, discussed the …
OSHA Vaccine Mandate: Fines for Non-Compliance Begin Jan. 10
GFVGA Responds to Latest Announcement The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced that businesses that are non-compliant with its vaccination mandate will be fined starting Jan. 10, 2022. The announcement comes on the heels of a federal appeals court ruling that overruled a previous stay that had paused the mandate nationwide. The rule, initially published Nov. 4, applies to …
New H-2A Wages Effective Dec. 29
A prior issue of the Florida Citrus Mutual Triangle newsletter provided information about the new wage that growers must pay H-2A labor, effective Wednesday, Dec. 29. The H-2A program allows U.S. employers who meet specific regulatory requirements to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary agricultural jobs. The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) of the Department of …