By Clint Thompson The mid-March freeze and subsequent rain events continue to wreak havoc on South Georgia specialty crop producers. Bill Brim, part owner of Lewis Taylor Farms in Tifton, Georgia, said the sub-freezing temperatures devastated his vegetable greens production. “It’s pretty tough right now. We’ve got a lot of damage from that cold weather on all of the greens,” …
Fungicides to Manage Cercospora Leaf Spot on Beets
Cercospora leaf spot disease, the most damaging disease on beet greens and bunch beets, can be managed just as equally with either conventional or organic fungicides, according to The South Carolina Grower, Clemson plant pathologist Tony Keinath. Based on previous research in New York with processing beets, Keinath evaluated the best conventional program – Tilt alternated with Quadris – and …
Reminder: Specialty Crop Block Grants Deadline is April 12
Commodity groups, agricultural organizations, colleges and universities, municipalities, state agencies and agricultural nonprofits are reminded that the deadline for the specialty crop block grants through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is April 12 at 5 p.m. CST. The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) is accepting Specialty Crop Block Grant applications for projects that enhance the competitiveness …
Rep. LaMalfa: Budget, Hearings on Climate Change “Won’t Put Food on the Table”
Lawmakers are starting to work their way through President Biden’s budget proposal which was released earlier this week. Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-01) is a member of the House agriculture committee, as well as a farmer himself. He disagrees with what he sees as a focus on climate change rather than food production. AgNet Media’s Sabrina Halvorson spoke with LaMalfa to get his …
Alabama Extension Economist: Hard to Say How Long High Input Prices Will Continue
By Clint Thompson One Alabama Extension economist believes it is unreasonable to predict how much longer input prices will remain at historically high levels. That’s why Adam Rabinowitz wants specialty crop producers to focus on profits and not yields entering this production season. “These input prices, we’re sitting here scratching our heads looking at these prices going up. It’s not …
Vidalia Onion Leader: We’re Excited About This Year’s Crop
By Clint Thompson Vidalia onion harvests are commencing across the Southeast Georgia region. Industry leaders are excited about the potential of this year’s crop. At least that’s the mindset of Chris Tyson, University of Georgia Extension area onion agent at the Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia. “I think it looks really good. I’m excited, and the …
Vidalia Onion Field Day on April 6
By Clint Thompson Georgia producers and industry leaders are invited to the annual Vidalia Onion Field Day on Wednesday, April 6 at noon. Chris Tyson, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension area onion a gent at the Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia, discussed what people can expect when they attend the annual field day this year. “One …
Weather Forecast: Return to Dry Conditions
By Clint Thompson Variable weather conditions this winter should stabilize over the next month. The previous couple of weeks has seen lower temperatures and increased rainfall across the Southeast region. But that is not expected to continue, said Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist. “The longer-term patterns that I have looked at look like we’re going to have …
Attention North Florida Watermelon Producers: Diseases Observed in Isolated Fields
Two diseases have been observed in North Florida watermelon. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, reported in his weekly email that Psudomonas (angular leaf spot) and gummy stem blight have been reported, though in isolated fields. “If bacterial diseases are not a concern in your fields, …
Potential Solution for Grape Root Borers?
By Clint Thompson There could be another tool in the toolbox for producers in the management of grape root borers. Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, has one year of research in studying entomopathogenic nematodes. He discussed the positive impact the nematodes had on the grape pests. “At least the …