By Clint Thompson
The Georgia Pecan Growers Association (GPGA) Fall Field Day on Thursday provided an outlet for researchers and industry specialists to meet with growers on the cusp of this year’s harvest season.
The field day was held at Southern Hills Orchards in Leesburg, Georgia. University specialists provided farmers an update on various topics impacting this year’s crop. That included insect pests, diseases, water management and hedging benefits.
Mary Bruorton, executive director of the Georgia Pecan Growers Association, talked about the field day and its importance for her state’s growers.
“It’s the last chance for growers to gather around all together right before harvest season; talk about what the crop looks like and talk about what diseases they’re seeing on their orchards and what challenges they’re facing and help other growers figure out the solutions,” Bruorton said. “It’s the same with the researchers. It gives the researchers a last chance before harvest begins to get their last-minute research findings to the growers.”
Growers have produced a solid crop this year despite an increase of scab disease in the southwest part of the state. Bruorton discussed her outlook for the crop amid discussions with her growers.
“We’re seeing a good crop this year. There is some scab pressure on a few acres; I’m hearing Pawnee a little bit, but other than that, we’re seeing a good crop.”