By Clint Thompson A rainy summer in the Southeast only got wetter this week thanks to the tropical system ‘Fred.’ It could have a negative impact on the region’s grape crop, which is at the beginning of harvest, says Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Fruit Disease Specialist. According to the University of Georgia Weather Network, Gainesville, Georgia received …
Bayer’s Expanded Movento MPC Label Boosts Management Options for Whiteflies
By Clint Thompson Dry weather in the Southeast is inevitable. Those conditions could bring a resurgence of whitefly pressure, says Roy Morris, senior technical sales rep at Bayer. “When it’s wet, although your plants are lush, you start getting some fungi and things that’ll naturally occur and take out the (whitefly) populations. When it’s hot and dry, they can turn …
South Carolina Rains: Clemson Extension Reports Weather Impacting Crops
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in the The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Weekly Field Update 8-2-21 Coastal Region Zack Snipes reports, “Summer crops like okra are still coming in and looking good. We’ve had a lot of rain, and some fields are soggy. More rain is coming. Some …
Weather Preventing North Alabama Producers from Applying Needed Sprays
By Clint Thompson Sunny days are few and far between this summer for North Alabama vegetable and specialty crop producers. The persistent rainfall and cloudy weather have hindered production, says Eric Schavey, Regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama. “The impact is we’re not able to get in the field to spray. That’s been our main issue,” Schavey said. “I’m seeing …
Wet Weather Could Lead to Disease Issues in South Carolina
By Clint Thompson Increased rainfall the past couple of weeks in South Carolina means more potential for disease development in crops that are just getting ready for harvest. That is a concern for growers, says Clemson Extension agent Zack Snipes. “We got a bunch (of rain) here in Charleston for sure. We got a bunch the previous week, too. It’s …
Georgia Grapes Benefiting from Dry Weather
By Clint Thompson What’s left of Georgia’s wine grape production is benefiting from the hot and dry weather conditions. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Fruit Disease Specialist, said the lack of rainfall has prevented grape diseases from being an issue so far this season. “Right now, the grapes in general, and I’m talking about the wine grapes that …
Mite-y Problem: Spider Mites a Concern During Hot, Dry Conditions
By Clint Thompson Hot and dry weather across the Southeast make for ideal conditions for spider mites in peach orchards. Brett Blaauw, University of Georgia assistant professor in the Department of Entomology, discusses in the UGA Peach Blog what symptoms producers need to watch out for. “At least in peaches, keeping an eye out for bronzing of the leaves. That’s …
Ideal Weather Conditions Helpful for Georgia Blueberries
By Clint Thompson There’s a fine line for how much rainfall blueberries can receive during the growing season and still maximize yields come harvest season. Too much rain can lead to disease, or the berries will split. Not enough rain and the berries start to shrivel, becoming unmarketable. Georgia blueberries received rainfall at just the right time this season, which …
Keep Crops Watered Amid Dry Conditions
By Clint Thompson With hot temperatures expected to get hotter and dry conditions only expected to get drier, irrigation management is a top priority for Alabama vegetable and specialty crop producers. “They need to make sure their irrigation system is working correctly, obviously,” said Joe Kemble, Alabama Extension vegetable specialist. “The nice thing about most vegetable growers is that they …
Irrigation Key for Pecan Producers During These Hot, Dry Conditions
By Clint Thompson Weather forecasts are calling for hot and dry conditions for the foreseeable future. That could have a detrimental impact on pecan trees, believes Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist. “Especially with growers with young trees planted in the last year or two, they need to be really careful about making sure they’re watering these …