Alabama Extension cautions vegetable producers about a sudden spike in activity of southern armyworm moths compared to fall or beet armyworms. According to the Alabama Insect Pest Monitoring data generated from April 14 to April 29, there were 40 southern armyworm moths at five locations across the state, compared to five farm armyworms and four beet armyworms. Southern armyworm caterpillars …
Statistically Speaking: Various Factors Contribute to Surge in Input Expenses
By Clint Thompson Various factors have contributed to the increase in costs for fertilizer and other energy-based inputs. A surge in post-pandemic demand combined with transportation delays, low crude oil inventories and the current Russia-Ukraine conflict are the main reasons, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service. Nitrogen fertilizer is up 110% from …
Less Availability, Higher Transportation Costs Lead to Increase in Sod Prices
By Maria M. Lameiras Prices for sod, including rolls of University of Georgia-bred turfgrass varieties, will be higher for homeowners and landscapers this year. Low inventory of some varieties, combined with economic pressures exacerbated by supply chain and global issues, are pushing the price of a manicured lawn higher this spring. Depending on the specific variety, it might be more …
Fusarium Wilt of Watermelon in Georgia: An Overview and Research Update
By Bhabesh Dutta Fusarium wilt has emerged as a chronic problem in watermelon-growing regions in the United States, including Georgia. The disease has been responsible for significant pre- and post-harvest losses in yield and quality. Fusarium wilt is caused by the fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (FON). DISEASE SYMPTOMSIn the field, symptoms typically start within two to three …
National Orange Juice Day Celebrated on Social Media
May 4 is the day to celebrate Florida’s signature crop — citrus that is squeezed into wonderfully delicious orange juice. That’s right, it’s National Orange Juice Day! People have taken to social media to mark the occasion. Here’s a few posts we captured.
Once ‘Outrageously High’ Watermelon Prices Drop in Recent Weeks
By Clint Thompson What was once out of this world market prices for Florida’s watermelon producers have come back to earth a bit. Laura Land, a watermelon farmer from Branford, Florida, and member of the Florida Watermelon Association, discusses how prices have dropped in recent weeks. “They were outrageously high (two weeks ago). They’re moving down pretty quickly. They’re in …
Hot and Dry: Weather Conditions Not Conducive for Pecan Scab Development
By Clint Thompson What a difference a year has made so far for Georgia pecan producers. Unlike last season when persistent rainfall forced growers to be active in their fungicide applications, this year’s dry conditions have allowed farmers to be more conservative in their scab sprays. “It could not be any better. Everybody should have their irrigation running,” University of …
Nematode Control in Potatoes
By Clint Thompson Potato producers need to be diligent in applying nematicides. Nematode control is essential every year, especially for farmers in Northeast Florida, says Zane Grabau, assistant professor of nematology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). “The main thing is you can’t take a year off from applying a nematicide. If you do, …
House Ag Committee Hearing on SNAP Benefits
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was highlighted at a House Agriculture Committee hearing on the farm bill late last week. Though it’s referred to as the Farm Bill, more than 75 percent of the spending in the bill is for nutrition programs such as SNAP. Chairman David Scott of Georgia used his opening statement to discuss the importance of …
What’s Happening? Clemson Extension Agents Provide Updates
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Weekly Field Update Coastal Region Zack Snipes reports, “It seems like everything happened all of a sudden this week. We are flushed with strawberries right now. I am seeing some anthracnose on berries as well as lots of …