UGA Entomologist: Whiteflies Not as Bad as 2017 But Still Bad

Web AdminAlabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Pests, South Carolina, Top Posts, Vegetables

By Clint Thompson University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist Stormy Sparks confirmed this week that whiteflies are back with a vengeance on susceptible vegetable crops and Georgia’s cotton, which is still just a few weeks old. “I’ve been holding off a long time on saying it looks bad. But about a week ago, it’s just hard to say it …

Three Georgia Farmers Market Locations Could Be Spared

Web AdminCoronavirus, Fruit, Georgia, Produce, Top Posts, Vegetables

By Clint Thompson The revised budget cut requirements from the Georgia Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget and the State Legislature may have spared the state farmers market locations in Cordele, Thomasville and Savannah. Julie McPeake, Georgia Department of Agriculture Chief Communications officer, confirmed that as a result of the budget cut requirement from 14% to 10%, the State Legislature …

UF’s Angle: We need to have a more resilient marketing system

Web AdminAlabama, Florida, Fruit, Georgia, Produce, Top Posts, Vegetables

By Clint Thompson A second wave of the coronavirus pandemic is inevitable. Perhaps we are already in it, just a few months ahead of the fall forecasts that most projected would coincide with flu season. But you can pencil in COVID-19 as another challenge farmers will have to face this fall, especially as preparations are already underway for the fall …

San Jose Scale Problem for Peach Producers

Web AdminAlabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Peaches, Pests, South Carolina, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson Brett Blaauw, University of Georgia assistant professor in the Department of Entomology, says the time is now to treat San Jose scale crawlers which are peaking in peach orchards. “Right around late June, early July and then again in August, we see these real high populations of their larvae, the crawlers. Crawlers are also susceptible to insecticides. …

Valent U.S.A. Offers Fast, Long-Lasting Insecticide

Web AdminAlabama, Disease, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Pests, South Carolina, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson Valent U.S.A. is offering a new insecticide that offers fast and long-lasting control of soft-bodied insects of vegetable and citrus crops. This is the first year that producers will have access to Senstar Insecticide. It provides farmers with two effective modes of action for control of soft-bodied insects, including whiteflies, aphids, thrips and pysillids. “Southeast vegetable and …

Secretary Perdue: President Trump Delivers USMCA, a huge win for U.S. Agriculture

Web AdminAlabama, Exports/Imports, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Top Posts

Contact: USDA PressEmail: press@oc.usda.gov (Washington, D.C., July 1, 2020) – Today, The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) enters into force, replacing the decades-old NAFTA. USMCA is a better deal for America’s farmers, consumers and workers that will set them up for success for decades to come. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue penned an oped in the North Carolina Fayetteville Observer …

Root Borers a Danger to Grapes in the Southeast

Web AdminAlabama, Florida, Fruit, Georgia, Grapes, North Carolina, Pests, South Carolina, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson The time is now for grape producers to protect their crop against the grape root borer, said Brett Blaauw, assistant professor in the Department of Entomology at the University of Georgia. He said usually in north Georgia, the grape root borers will emerge in early July. According to the UGA Extension Viticulture Blog, if farmers have not …

Shriveled blueberries could signal “mummy berry” disease

Web AdminAlabama, Berries, Disease, Florida, Fruit, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Top Posts

By Paul Pugliese for CAES News Blueberries are one of the most popular backyard fruits for Georgia because they are relatively low maintenance compared to other fruit species. However, there is one particular disease issue known as “mummy berry” that can be problematic for blueberry growers. The disease is easily recognized when the fruit begins to ripen, as infected berries …

Watch Out for Green June Beetle in Fruit Crops

Web AdminAlabama, Florida, Fruit, Georgia, Pests

Elina Coneva, Extension Specialist & Professor at Auburn University, said now is the time for fruit crop producers to scout for adult Green June beetle emergence. According to the Extension News Release, the beetles are considered a serious pest and can injure fruits of numerous crops including grapes, apple, pear, quince, plum, apricot, peach, nectarine, blackberry and raspberry. Adult beetles …

Food Safety in Light of COVID-19

Web AdminAlabama, Coronavirus, Florida, Food Safety, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina

With millions of American workers staying home to aid public health efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), the security of America’s food supply is more important than ever before. It’s crucial that growers are taking the appropriate measures to ensure food safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of …