University of Georgia Extension Pecan Blog Increased rainfall combined with the current stage that the pecan crop is under spells perfect conditions for water splits. University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells cautions growers in the UGA Extension Pecan Blog that they will likely see fruit split on multiple varieties over the next couple of weeks. “The problem …
Alabama Blueberry Producers had ‘Outstanding’ Year
By Clint Thompson Blueberry producers in the southwest part of Alabama had a better production season than some of their contemporaries in neighboring states. According to Jacob Kelley, Alabama regional Extension agent, blueberry growers in southwestern Alabama, including Mobile, Baldwin, Washington, Clarke, Monroe, Conecuh, Escambia and Butler counties, had an “outstanding” crop. The biggest advantage Alabama producers had over Florida …
UGA Hires New Pecan Entomologist
University of Georgia (UGA) Extension has a new pecan entomologist as part of its UGA Pecan Team, according to the UGA Extension Pecan Blog, Apurba Barman has been hired as an assistant professor in agroecology, tree nut and fruit entomology and will be stationed at the UGA Tifton Campus. Barman previously served as the University of California (UC) Extension IP …
Vidalia Onion Producers Preparing for Upcoming Season
By Clint Thompson Georgia Vidalia onion producers are already preparing for the upcoming season. Chris Tyson, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension area onion agent, discusses what growers are doing now with planting season less than a month away. “A lot of growers have been putting in orders for seed. We’re now at the time where we’re getting our seed beds …
Whitefly Populations Increasing
By Clint Thompson University of Georgia Extension specialists are alerting specialty crop producers that whitefly pressure is on the rise in the Southeast. Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist, said populations have increased in recent weeks. While the increased activity is normal for this time of year, it still is a concern that growers should be …
Peach Production: San Jose Scale Populations Down
By Clint Thompson Normally a persistent pest of peaches, San Jose scale has not been as impactful this year for growers in the Southeast. Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, said this is normally the peak time for scale pressure to increase in peach orchards. That has not been the …
UGA Pecan Specialist: Growers Need a Good Year
By Clint Thompson Pecan producers desperately need a productive season in yields and prices following years of frustration on the heels of Hurricane Michael in 2018. The growers could get their wish. Farmers could see high yields combined with favorable market prices, which should add up to the best season in years for producers. “This year it looks like we’ve …
Dry Conditions Remain Across Southeast
By Clint Thompson Rainfall has helped alleviate some of the dry weather being felt in Georgia, Alabama and Florida, though abnormally dry conditions remain in multiple counties, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Georgia’s dry conditions are now spread in various counties throughout the state. The driest part of the state remains in Southeast Georgia where multiple counties are abnormally …
Insect Concerns? Possible Resistance to Coragen in Beet Armyworm
By Clint Thompson University of Georgia (UGA) Extension specialists are alerting specialty crop producers about the potential resistance of Coragen in beet armyworms. Stormy Sparks, (UGA) Extension vegetable entomologist, cautions growers in the UGA Extension Vegetable Blog that beet armyworm is surviving applications of chlorantraniliprole (Coragen, Prevathon, Vantacor, Besiege) in cowpea and peanut fields. While additional research needs to be …
U.S. Drought Monitor: North Alabama Still Dry
The lingering drought affecting the Southeast is becoming less of an issue in Georgia, though conditions remain dry in northern Alabama, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. All of northern Alabama is either abnormally dry, moderately dry or even severely dry in a few counties. The worst conditions are observed in the northwest corner of the state in Colbert and …