By Clint Thompson Imports are no longer a Southeast issue. They are quickly becoming a national issue. Unfortunately, the rising tide of imports of fresh fruits and vegetables impacting other parts of the country may be a necessary step in resolving this growing problem. “Certainly, Georgia has been in this fight with us for a long time and have done …
Stink Bug and Weevil Management in Pecans
Pecan producers need to start managing stink bugs and weevils in this year’s crop. This is especially important for the crop as its shell hardens. Prior to shell hardening, the pests will knock nuts off the trees or lay eggs. But after shell hardening, these pests will damage the nuts that growers won’t see until harvest, according to University of …
GFVGA Celebrates 25 Years of Impact
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp attends organization’s celebration By Clint Thompson It is not often an organization celebrates 25 years of impact to Georgia’s No. 1 industry – agriculture. But that is exactly what is happening this year with the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA). Twenty-five years after its first organizational meeting at the Rural Development Center in Tifton, …
Southeast Grape Crop Needs Dry Weather
By Clint Thompson A rainy summer in the Southeast only got wetter this week thanks to the tropical system ‘Fred.’ It could have a negative impact on the region’s grape crop, which is at the beginning of harvest, says Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Fruit Disease Specialist. According to the University of Georgia Weather Network, Gainesville, Georgia received …
Bayer’s Expanded Movento MPC Label Boosts Management Options for Whiteflies
By Clint Thompson Dry weather in the Southeast is inevitable. Those conditions could bring a resurgence of whitefly pressure, says Roy Morris, senior technical sales rep at Bayer. “When it’s wet, although your plants are lush, you start getting some fungi and things that’ll naturally occur and take out the (whitefly) populations. When it’s hot and dry, they can turn …
VOC Seeks Nominees to Join Committee
The Vidalia Onion Committee (VOC) seeks nominations from producers to join the committee. The VOC elects eight new nominees each year as part of the process. Voting will take place on Sept. 16 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the VOC office. No absentee votes will be accepted; walk-in voting only. Nominations will be accepted until Aug. 27. Please …
Plant Breeding Remains Key to Fusarium Wilt Management
By Clint Thompson The key to eliminating fusarium wilt disease’s impact on watermelons in the Southeast is developing disease-resistance cultivars, says Nick Dufault, University of Florida/IFAS plant pathologist. “Where we stand is we’re trying to work with breeders and get new lines of resistance out there,” Dufault said. “We’re gaining a new understanding of the pathogen. I think we made …
Vidalia Onion Production Meeting
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension is hosting the annual Vidalia Onion Production meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 1 at the Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia. There will be timely topics on variety trials, flavor research, disease management and fertility. Lunch will be provided. Click here to register. Call Chris Tyson at 912-551-2204 for more information. Sponsored ContentNuseed …
Sweet Results for Georgia’s Peach Crop
By Clint Thompson Cool weather this past winter combined with mild temperatures this summer added up to almost perfect conditions for Georgia peach production this year. The results speak for themselves. Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties, said the crop produced was about 80%. “When we say 80% of …
Another Scab Management Spray or Two Projected for Pecan Crop
By Clint Thompson Pecan producers in Alabama and Georgia need to stay vigilant with their scab management sprays this late in the production season. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist, said due to the crop lagging behind in development this year, growers will need to apply fungicides later than normal. “The crop is a little behind what …