Worse Than Michael: Hurricane Helene Devastates Georgia Pecan Industry

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Pecan

By Clint Thompson It is hard to fathom Georgia’s pecan crop sustaining worse hurricane damage than what it sustained from Hurricane Michael in 2018. But that may have been the case following Hurricane Helene last week. While a complete evaluation may not be available for some time due to power outages that remain throughout the state, a preliminary assessment shows …

Scab No Longer Threat to This Year’s Pecan Crop

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Pecan

By Clint Thompson This year’s pecan crop in the Southeast is not in any danger from pecan scab disease any more this season. That’s a huge relief for Georgia and Alabama growers on the cusp of harvest season. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist, discussed the disease and why it should not impact what remains in this year’s …

Increased Rain Helps Region’s Pecan Crop

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Pecan

By Clint Thompson Increased rainfall in recent weeks not only provided much needed relief from the prolonged drought across the Southeast, it boosted the region’s pecan crop, just weeks before the start of harvest season. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist, discussed how additional moisture has impacted the region’s pecan trees. “We had been terribly hot and dry …

Dry Weather’s Impact on Alabama Pecans

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Pecan

By Clint Thompson Any rainfall at this point in the production season will benefit Alabama pecan farmers, especially considering the prolonged dry period in August. That’s why the potential rain amid Hurricane Francine’s trek northward last Thursday had Bran Futral, Alabama Pecan Growers Association president, excited. “I would tell you probably, this summer, we’ve got irrigation, and early in the …

Insect Management Update for Pecan Producers

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Pecan

By Clint Thompson Southeast pecan producers are on the cusp of harvesting this year’s crop. Growers should stay vigilant with their insecticide sprays, especially in areas that have been void of the rainfall in recent days. Apurba Barman, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan entomologist, discussed pest management and what insects that producers should currently be mindful of. “Right now, …

UGA Extension Specialist: Pecan Scab High During July

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Pecan

By Clint Thompson Scab disease was high this summer for Georgia pecan producers. Additional rainfall in July contributed to the increased pressure affecting the state’s crop, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan specialist. He also said growers have managed the disease effectively and need to continue towards the end of this production season. “We’ve had a lot …

Debby Aftermath: Georgia Pecan Crop Quality in Question

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Pecan

By Clint Thompson Georgia’s pecan crop was vulnerable to Hurricane Debby and its trek through the Southeast the week of Aug. 5. The nuts that did not fall to the ground because of Debby’s high wind speeds may have been victimized with poor quality as a result. It’s an issue that producers in Southeast Georgia are not likely to see …

Hurricane Debby’s Impact on Georgia Pecans

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Pecan

By Clint Thompson Hurricane Debby’s impact on Georgia’s pecan crop was not as severe as Idalia was the prior year. But it still affected trees with its high wind speeds and excessive rainfall, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan specialist. “That southern tier, starting around Lowndes County, Brooks, in there was hit pretty bad. Some of the …

Pecan Pointers to Remember

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Pecan

It is an important time of the production season for pecan producers. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist, noted in the UGA Extension Pecan Blog that growers need to be aware of the time sensitive task of leaf sampling. The leaf sampling period runs through Aug. 7. It’s the period when nutrients are most stable in the leaf. …

Black Aphid Management Important for Georgia Pecan Producers

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Pecan

Georgia pecan producers should be wary that black aphids have increased in numbers in recent weeks, according to the University of Georgia (UGA) Extension Pecan Blog. Lenny Wells, UGA Extension specialist, said growers with black aphid-susceptible varieties have already been spraying, though they need to rotate the aphicide chemistries. “We have a number of good aphid products out there, including …