Vidalia onion harvests are in full swing across South Georgia. It appears consumers will have their pick between medium and jumbo size onions, says Cliff Riner, crop production manager for G&R Farms in Glennville, Georgia. “I think as an industry, from the onions I’ve seen and talked with other growers, everybody’s naturally pleased about the weather and the quality that …
Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commissions Seeking Nominations
Multiple Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commissions are seeking nominations for positions of individuals whose terms are set to expire. The deadline for receiving nominations is Thursday, May 30, 2021. To be eligible to serve on a Commodity Commission, a person must be a producer of the commodity of the commission, commit to attend meetings and represent the producers of the commodity. …
South Florida Still Abnormally Dry
According to the latest release of the US Drought Monitor, recent rainfall has alleviated some of the dry conditions felt in central parts of Florida. There are still abnormally dry conditions in South Florida. Those extend northward to Hendry County, Martin County and Palm Beach County. A moderate drought is still being experienced in the southern part of Collier County, …
UGA Research: Irrigation Benefits New, Established Peach Trees
The University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is ensuring peach production remains sustainable. Dario Chavez and his research team in the Department of Horticulture on the UGA Griffin campus are improving irrigation and fertilization management practices for young peach trees in the Southeastern U.S. Irrigation Management Traditionally, producers adjusted irrigation scheduling on how much rainfall they …
Quality, Quantity Good for Vidalia Onion Crop
The quality and quantity of this year’s Georgia’s Vidalia onion crop appears to be good, early in the harvest season, says Cliff Riner, crop production manager for G&R Farms in Glennville, Georgia. The weather is a big reason why. “So far, very good for our farm. We have had good sizing, and the quality has been real good, partly because …
Georgia Watermelon Plants Vulnerable to Diseases Following Excessive Rains
Georgia watermelon producers should be wary of potential diseases that could fester because of excessive rains on Saturday. Bhabesh Dutta, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension plant pathologist, says there are multiple diseases that could play a factor in the production season moving forward. “Apart from the physical nature of the storm, there’s a physical damage to the crop itself. Some …
North Florida to Feature More Late-Season Watermelons
North Florida watermelons will be in supply later than normal, says Branford, Florida producer Laura Land. Land, who is also a member of the Florida Watermelon Association, says there will be more late-season watermelons this year in North Florida. “The increase in acreage that I’m seeing here in the North Florida area is pretty much that later crop,” Land said. …
Georgia Farmer: It’s Just a Mess Right Now
South Georgia vegetable farmer Bill Brim had a couple of days to survey the damage following more than seven inches of rainfall on Saturday. The Tifton, Georgia producer’s response was simple: “It’s just a mess right now.” Brim was one producer impacted by the excessive rainfall, high winds and some hail damage throughout Saturday in South Georgia. What started in …
Citrus Interest Growing in North Florida, South Georgia
Interest in citrus continues to spike in North Florida and South Georgia. Georgia acres have doubled over the past year. North Florida has increased by another 300 to 400 this spring, says farmer Kim Jones, who owns a citrus packing facility in Monticello, Florida. “We’re seeing a whole lot of acres being planted. It’s hard to get trees. We’ve had …
UGA Encourages Cleaning of Equipment to Reduce Spread of Neopestalotiopsis
Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot is devastating strawberry fields in Georgia and Alabama. In an effort to reduce the pathogen’s spread, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension is encouraging strawberry producers to make sure farm equipment is clean before moving from field to field. According to the UGA Extension strawberry blog, washing equipment with soap and water after use in a field with …