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Microjet irrigation is the top method of freeze protection for citrus trees, but its effectiveness is only realized if growers perform proper maintenance of the sprinklers before a cold event occurs. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, emphasized that fact during the Georgia-Florida Irrigation Expo on June 10. Sutton said growers should treat their …
By Clint Thompson Like in most areas in the Southeast, Central Alabama’s peach crop was impacted by freezing temperatures in mid-March. It wiped out early peach varieties, according to David Lawrence, regional Extension agent in central Alabama. That has changed since, however. “We didn’t have a great early season or early crop. A lot of our mid-season varieties are coming. …
By Clint Thompson Weather conditions are ripe for scab disease to flourish in pecan orchards across Georgia and Alabama. That’s not surprising but still disappointing for pecan producers in both states who are trying to produce a crop this year. But it’s the reality, especially after last week’s spike in rainfall attributed to Tropical Storm Arthur. It brought increased moisture …
By Clint Thompson The University of Georgia’s New Grape Growers Symposium educated potential producers about all facets of growing grapes in the Southeast. Topics ranged from variety selection, establishing a vineyard, managing pests and diseases and developing sustainable vineyard practices. Disease management remains one of the most limiting factors of grape production in Georgia and Alabama, says Sarah Lowder, University …
By Clint Thompson The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) is urging support for the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act, an important piece of legislation aimed at reforming the H-2A program. The FFVA sent a letter last week to the Florida congressional delegation urging support and co-sponsorship of the bill, expected to be introduced later this month by Congressman Glenn “GT” …
By Clint Thompson Fertigation remains a valuable method of applying fertilizer under plasticulture systems. Growers just need to understand how it works and how much fertilizer must be applied. Ted McAvoy, University of Georgia Extension vegetable specialist, provided an overview of fertigation during the recent Georgia-Florida Irrigation Expo held at the University of Georgia Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center …
To make a successful return on their investment, growers need to accurately predict how much crop they might produce in a given season. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers are developing web-based tools that incorporate artificial intelligence to help producers with yield predictions. Such forecasts are critical. In Florida, the production value for strawberries was …
By Clint Thompson Increased rains this summer have helped alleviate much of the drought being experienced across the Southeast. According to the June 18 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor, exceptional drought has all but disappeared in North Florida, while there is minimal extreme drought conditions in various parts of Georgia, and much of Alabama is reporting zero drought conditions. …
By Clint Thompson Increased rainfall across South Georgia in recent weeks is not ideal timing for the area’s watermelon producers in the middle of harvesting this year’s crop. “We’d prefer it, obviously, like we’ve talked about many times, the drier the better for most vegetables, especially, all watermelons are (already) under irrigation,” said Tim Coolong, professor in the University of …
Alabama specialty crop producers are reminded about a food safety reimbursement program made available through a Specialty Crop Block Grant from the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries. Food safety certification, such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture Good Agricultural Practices, is a voluntary audit used to verify produce is grown, harvested, packed, handled and stored in a way that …
