Peach Management Tips for Southeast Growers

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Peaches in Georgia and Alabama may not be in season, but their management is a year-round job for growers. Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties, discussed the current management strategies growers should be implementing on the heels of a bumper crop. “This time of year, we’re …

Updated Drought Conditions Across Southeast

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Drought

The latest release of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows the recent rainfall has had minimal impact on the drought conditions in Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. Almost all of Alabama is experiencing some level of drought conditions; ranging from abnormally dry, starting in Mobile and Baldwin counties; all the way to extreme drought in parts of Jackson and Limestone counties …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Staying Ahead of Fusarium Wilt in Watermelon

Clint ThompsonSpecialty Crop Grower Magazine

By Frank Giles Watermelon production is big business in the Southeast. Florida and Georgia rank No. 1 and No. 2 in production, respectively. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture data, the two states produce half the commercial production in the country. For growers, the fungal disease fusarium wilt can be the worst problem encountered annually. The fungus can be seedborne, …

Increased Rain Helps Region’s Pecan Crop

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Pecan

By Clint Thompson Increased rainfall in recent weeks not only provided much needed relief from the prolonged drought across the Southeast, it boosted the region’s pecan crop, just weeks before the start of harvest season. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist, discussed how additional moisture has impacted the region’s pecan trees. “We had been terribly hot and dry …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Jordan Carter is a Voice for Watermelon Producers

Clint ThompsonSpecialty Crop Grower Magazine

By Clint Thompson Growing up in Cordele, Georgia, the “Watermelon Capital of the World,” Jordan Carter never imagined working in agriculture and being a voice for watermelon growers across the Southeast. She was, after all, selling insurance as recently as 2013 before joining Leger & Son as director of sales and marketing. Eleven years later, she is the vice president …

Drought Monitor: Dry Conditions Worsening, Expanding in Alabama

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Drought

Any rainfall Alabama gets from Hurricane Francine this week will be much appreciated. According to the latest release of the U.S. Drought Monitor, most of the state is at least moderately dry with severe dry conditions being observed in Northwest Alabama and Southeast Alabama. The hurricane moved through Louisiana on Thursday with the potential for the first substantial rainfall coming …

Insect Management Update for Pecan Producers

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Pecan

By Clint Thompson Southeast pecan producers are on the cusp of harvesting this year’s crop. Growers should stay vigilant with their insecticide sprays, especially in areas that have been void of the rainfall in recent days. Apurba Barman, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan entomologist, discussed pest management and what insects that producers should currently be mindful of. “Right now, …

Muscadine Research on UGA Tifton Campus

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Grapes

By Clint Thompson Muscadine research is essential to the industry’s long-term sustainability in Georgia. University of Georgia (UGA) muscadine breeder Patrick Conner is using his research on the UGA Tifton Campus to help make the industry more viable and profitable. He talked about what is at the forefront of his research studies during a recent field day on the UGA …

UGA Hires Sutton as Citrus Extension Specialist

Clint ThompsonCitrus, Georgia

By Clint Thompson Citrus has a bright future for specialty crop growers in South Georgia. The University of Georgia sees that potential and wants to help producers achieve production success – now and into the future. Its recent hiring of Mary Sutton as the new citrus Extension specialist should aid in that process. Sutton started on Aug. 1 and is …

UGA Extension Strawberry Blog: Management Options for Neopestalotiopsis

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Strawberries

Neopestalotiopsis fruit rot and leaf spot disease is already expected to impact next year’s strawberry crop. The question is how can growers minimize the potential damage the disease will likely have on plants ahead of next growing season? Phil Brannen, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist, outlined how producers can navigate next season’s expected increase of Neopestalotiopsis. …