By Clint Thompson Like other crops produced in Georgia and Alabama, grapes are not immune to the impact of the excessive rains being experienced across the Southeast this summer. They are impacting production, says Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Fruit Disease Specialist. “It’s wet. We’ve definitely had plenty of rain, very little drying time. It seems like it …
Time is Now to Fruit Thin Pecan Crop
Now is the time for pecan producers with a heavy crop load to thin their crop, according to the University of Georgia Extension pecan blog. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist, said that growers with Pawnee varieties need to thin their crop now. Those with Cape Fear, Creek, Stuart and other varieties have 2 to 3 more weeks …
Senator Warnock Cosponsors Legislation to Provide Financial Relief to Small Farmers
From the Office of Senator Warnock Washington, D.C. – Last week at the Senate agriculture committee, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) emphasized the importance of Congress supporting small farmers, including passing the Relief for America’s Small Farmers Act — legislation cosponsored by Senator Warnock that will support America’s small farmers through financial relief to mitigate losses suffered due to chain disruptions …
GFVGA Celebrating 25 Years
By Clint Thompson The voice for Georgia’s fruit and vegetable growers is celebrating 25 years this year. The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a special event on Aug. 21 at 5:30 p.m. at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center. Past and current leaders of the association will be recognized at …
Wet Summer Effect: Sanitation Key in Protecting Fall Crops From Diseases
By Clint Thompson A wet summer means plant diseases are rampant across the entire gamut of vegetable and specialty crop production. As Georgia producers prepare for the upcoming fall season, they need to do all they can to protect against disease inoculum that might linger in leftover fruit and vegetable crops. This is especially true for watermelon producers, says Tim …
Summer Rains Impacting Pecan Quality, Quantity
By Clint Thompson Pecan quality and quantity is expected to take a hit during the upcoming season. The quantity is not a surprise following last year’s crop. The quality is a result of increased scab disease pressure following persistent rains this summer. “Our young trees is where most of the crop is going to come from this year,” Lenny Wells, …
Growers Beware: Manage Drosophila, Sour Rot in Georgia Grapes
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension reminds grape producers that the time is now to plan their spotted wing drosophila management (SWD). It will help suppress sour rot disease in grapes that are vulnerable. The SWD flies are active year-round but are an extreme pest when grapes approach veraison or begin to ripen. The brix levels in wine grapes can reach …
Wet Summer: Minimal Dry Conditions Reported Across Southeast
Alabama, Florida, Georgia have sufficient moisture and are not reporting any abnormally dry conditions, according to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Persistent rainfall has been the dominant story of this year’s summer for most of the Southeast region. Similar conditions are being reported up the East Coast. Only a small portion of Greenville County and Spartanburg County are …
On the Job Training: UGA Students Experience Vineyard Management, Winemaking
Internships lead to experience for students in fields they are interested in. They seek opportunities that will help further their education and develop future job skills. For three University of Georgia interns, their summer internship experience has been very engaging. Through a partnership between the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) and the Winegrowers Association of Georgia, three …
Tomato, Pepper Listening Sessions Scheduled with USDA RMA
Florida and Georgia tomato and pepper producers are invited to listening sessions with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (RMA). Feedback about potential production and revenue history policy is wanted for both commodities. The fresh market tomato sessions are for growers in South Florida, industry members and regional insurance representatives. The pepper sessions are for fresh market growers …