Average gas diesel prices continue to drop across the U.S., which is good news for Southeast specialty crop producers hoping to see a decline in input expenses. According to AAA, Monday’s average for regular non-leaded was $4.35 per gallon, a decrease from last week’s $4.52 and last month’s $4.90. It is still much higher, though, than the $3.15 cost from …
Ag Sector Likely to Support Economy Through Possible Recession
Though concern exists about impending recession in the U.S., the traditional economic indicators of recession aren’t yet apparent. This is especially true in the agricultural sector, says Georgia’s State Fiscal Economist Jeffrey Dorfman, a professor of agricultural and applied economics in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. “The interesting question is, if I run a business …
UGA Griffin Campus to Host Turfgrass Field Day
The University of Georgia (UGA) Griffin Campus will host its Turfgrass Field Day on Wednesday, Aug. 3, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at UGA’s Griffin campus. The field day will appeal to golf course superintendents and homeowners looking to produce the perfect lawn. “After four long years we are excited to bring back the UGA Turfgrass Research Field Day,” …
More Rain, Less Drought Across Southeast
The more it rains, the less drought that is being experienced across the Southeast. Dry conditions continue to subside in Florida and Georgia, according to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. While about half of Georgia is abnormally dry, there are considerably less moderately dry conditions. Those are located in a couple of areas across the state, including around …
Gas, Diesel Prices Drop Across Country
Gas and diesel prices continue to drop across the U.S. but are still substantially higher than this last year. According to AAA, the national average for regular unleaded gasoline on July 20 was $4.46 per gallon, compared to $4.63 a week ago and $4.98 a month ago. But it is still considerably more than the $3.16 consumers paid a year …
Rain’s Impact on Diseases in Peaches
By Clint Thompson The increase in rainfall across the Southeast is having minimal impact on diseases in the region’s peach crop. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Extension fruit disease specialist, discusses the current scenario facing producers as harvests continue. “Thankfully, we’re no longer drought stressed in a lot of the locations, which is good. There’s been an increase in disease …
Diamondback Moth Management: Insecticide Resistance Concerns Exist
By Clint Thompson Brassica growers rely almost entirely on insecticides to manage diamondback moth (DBM) infestations. However, the moths have shown the ability to develop resistance to a broad range of insecticides, says Hugh Smith, an associate professor of entomology and nematology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. …
How to Manage Early-Season Caterpillars
By Ayanava Majumdar When summer temperatures are soaring and you are hot and sweaty, all caterpillars may look the same. But look carefully inside the crop canopy, especially in fruit-bearing vegetables. Depending on your location, the sequence of insect pests could be different, so have a conversation with your Extension agent about what they are seeing. WHAT TO WATCH FOR …
Resistance Concerns in Insecticide Management of DBM
By Clint Thompson Brassica growers rely almost entirely on insecticides to manage diamondback moth (DBM) infestations. However, the moths have shown the ability to develop resistance to a broad range of insecticides, says Hugh Smith, an associate professor of entomology and nematology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. …
Critical Time to Protect Against Scab Disease
By Clint Thompson It is a critical part of the production season for Southeast pecan growers. Producers should be diligent in their fungicide sprays against scab disease. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist, stresses why this is an important time for farmers in protecting this year’s crop. “It’s a super critical time because those nuts are growing so …