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By Clint Thompson The appeal of the pecan variety ‘Avalon’ is that it produces high yields and has excellent scab resistance in University of Georgia research trials. But its recent susceptibility to scab in some Georgia orchards is a key development for growers contemplating planting the variety in the future. UGA pecan breeder Patrick Conner noted in the UGA Extension …
By Clint Thompson North Carolina (N.C.) State Extension reminds the state’s strawberry growers the Western North Carolina Strawberry Preplant Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 21, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the N.C. Extension, Wilkes County Center in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Matthew Clay, N.C. State Extension agent, talked about the importance of the meeting with planting season looming. …
By Clint Thompson One Alabama pecan industry leader is confident in this year’s crop, though it may not live up to last year’s total yields. Bryan Wilkins, Auburn University research associate, attributes that to an expected decrease this year in Elliotts, a popular variety produced in the Southeast. “We’re looking for a good year. It’s going to be a little …
By Clint Thompson A tropical storm or hurricane in the fall can be more devastating to farmers than if it occurred earlier in the year. Just look at Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Or Hurricane Michael in October 2018. Two of the most impactful storms in the Southeast in recent memory impacted fruit and vegetable crops, along with cotton and …
By Clint Thompson Southeast specialty crop producers are reminded that Friday, Aug. 15 is the deadline to preregister for the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo, scheduled for Aug. 20-21 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida. Those interested can click here for the conference agenda. The trade show will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. …
The Florida Fertilizer & Agrichemical Association (FFAA) presented its highest honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award, to longtime industry leader John Baxter during the association’s Annual Meeting in July. The award was presented by FFAA Chairman Eric Johnson, recognizing Baxter’s enduring contributions to Florida agriculture and the agrichemical industry. A Florida native, Baxter’s agchem journey began in 1989 and reached new …
Citrus greening disease has yet to find its footing in Georgia. But that doesn’t mean it can’t or won’t eventually. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, discussed the ramifications of citrus greening during the recent Southeast Citrus Update in Lyons, Georgia. “If we get greening established here, we’ll start seeing lower and lower production on …
By Clint Thompson Georgia vegetable farmers must be aware that whitefly populations have spiked in recent weeks, according to Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist. It’s a concern for producers preparing their fall crops. “Whiteflies really jumped (recently). (This week’s rain) may slow them down. I had a patch of soybeans there on the station where …
By Clint Thompson Drought conditions continue to remain a problem over parts of the Southeast, even following a rainy week last week. Southwest Alabama, Southwest Georgia and most of central and southern Florida are the areas most impacted by dry conditions, according to the Aug. 7 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Alabama Abnormally dry conditions in Alabama start in …
By Clint Thompson An excessive amount of rainfall throughout South Georgia in recent weeks will lead to some pecans falling prematurely. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan specialist, cautioned growers in the UGA Pecan Extension Blog that the recent rains have come during shell hardening. It will lead to “nuts hitting the ground over the next week or …
