By Clint Thompson The Southeast is not out of the woods for a late frost event, which could be costly for peach producers and blueberry growers in Georgia and Alabama. Pam Knox, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension climatologist, said some blueberry farmers are especially concerned since their plants have already started producing a crop. “Because it’s been such a warm …
Muscadine Pruning: Mechanical vs. Hand
By Clint Thompson Pruning muscadine vines is a chore that growers are tackling now during the dormant period. With mechanical pruning and hand pruning both options, growers must make economically based decisions on how to proceed. “Sometimes mechanical pruning is the only option when hand pruning cannot be completed on larger acreages,” said Cain Hickey, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension …
FDACS Taking Action to Protect Lychee Trees
(FDACS) — The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is announcing the treatment of lychee trees in Miami-Dade County, the first of eight Florida counties undergoing eradication for lychee erinose mite (LEM) to protect trees and crops from severe damage. To date, only one positive tree has been identified in Miami-Dade County. The mite causes erineum galls (hairy, …
Message to Potential Alabama Hemp Growers: Know What You’re Getting Into
By Clint Thompson Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist Katelyn Kesheimer has a message for all farmers interested in growing hemp this year: Know what you’re getting into. During this year’s hemp meetings, which continue in March throughout Alabama, Kesheimer and other specialists are discussing economics, insects, weeds and diseases that are associated with hemp production. “We’re very clear …
Hemp Production Has Risks
There are risks and significant costs in growing hemp, Tyler Mark warned about 50 attendees at the Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference 2020. The event, hosted by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Food and Resource Economics Department, took place Feb. 27 at the Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred. Mark, a University of …
House Introduces Resolution Declaring July as National Blueberry Month
(NABC) — The U.S. House has introduced a resolution recognizing the history and accomplishments of the U.S. highbush blueberry industry and seeking to declare July as National Blueberry Month. Congressmen Fred Upton (R-MI) and Sanford Bishop (D-GA) are sponsors of the resolution, deemed Resolution 882 in the House. The resolution points out that highbush blueberries have a harvested area estimated …
Hemp Diseases in Florida
By Nicholas Dufault Diseases will be a major concern for Florida’s hemp production systems as they can limit profitable production of the plants. There are more than 40 known hemp diseases listed on the American Phytopathological Society’s educational resources page. These diseases are caused by viruses, fungi and bacteria. Some southeastern states, such as Kentucky and North Carolina, that produce …
Optimizing Nitrogen in Vidalia Onion Production
By Ashley Robinson A long growing season and a relatively shallow root system make Vidalia onions a crop with specific fertilizer management for soil nitrogen availability during development. Researchers at the University of Georgia (UGA) are conducting trials to investigate the optimal rates of nitrogen fertilizer to produce Vidalia onions. RESEARCH RECOMMENDATIONS According to Andre da Silva, UGA Cooperative Extension …
Florida Farm Values Reported at Land Conference
Reports on 2019 land sales for row crops in Central Florida and several crops in the Homestead area were released at the Feb. 27-28 Lay of the Land Florida Land Conference in Lakeland. The reports were prepared by SVN | Saunders Ralston Dantzler Real Estate. A report declared that sales in 2019 far exceeded those of 2018 for row crop …
UGA Extension Schedules Three Grape Growers Workshops
(UGA/CAES) — University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension is holding a series of workshops specifically for Georgia grape growers in March. The classes, set for March 3 in Carrollton; March 5 in Dahlonega; and March 17 in Ellijay, will cover disease and insect control and other critical components of an integrated pest management program for vineyards. “Vineyard managers ask questions …