Insecticide Rotation Key in Long-Term Management of Whiteflies

Web AdminCucurbits, Georgia, Pests, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson Insecticide rotation when managing whiteflies remains key to long-term success in the Southeast. It has to be if growers want to avoid insecticide resistance developing. Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist, believes farmers have improved in recent years in protecting their insecticides for the future. “The same chemistries that we rely on, primarily …

Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference Produces Excitement, Big Crowd

Web AdminFruit, Georgia, Vegetables

By Clint Thompson The return of the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference yielded a huge crowd and excitement among farmers reuniting again for the first time in two years. Chris Butts, executive vice president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, said on Friday the attendance was about 2,700 with pre-registration between 1,600 and 1,700. “Our attendance numbers …

Avoid Fungicide Resistance Development in Peaches

Web AdminDisease, Georgia, Peaches, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson Avoiding fungicide resistance in peach production is front and center of Phil Brannen’s presentation this week at the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference in Savannah, Georgia. The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Fruit Disease Specialist cautions producers about overusing products like Miravis to protect against peach scab disease. “The thing about Miravis that’s tempting is it’s …

Rains Alleviate Some of Dry Conditions in Southeast

Web AdminAlabama, Drought, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina

By Clint Thompson Recent rains alleviated some of the dry conditions being felt across the Southeast region, especially in Georgia and Alabama, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Only a small part of North Georgia remains abnormally dry, including Union County, Fanning County, Gilmer County, Dawson County, Towns County and Lumpkin County. Only a couple of counties in South Georgia …

Georgia Pecan Estimate: Diminished Crop Compared to 2020

Web AdminGeorgia, Pecan, Top Posts

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

Web AdminBerries, Georgia, Specialty Crops, Top Posts

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

Web AdminAlabama, Georgia, Peaches, Pests, Top Posts

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

Web AdminAlabama, Drought, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Top Posts

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

Web AdminAlabama, Georgia, Soil, Top Posts

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, …