By Clint Thompson University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells reminds producers about the susceptibility that young trees have to ambrosia beetle damage. “This is the time that they’re out, with the warm weather that we’ve had. They’re out flying. We’ve had reports of some out and hitting trees already. It’s not surprising,” Wells said. “This is when they …
Grape Producers Looking for Rain, Just Not as Much as 2021
By Clint Thompson Grape producers need some rain. They just don’t need a repeat of last season, said University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Fruit Disease Specialist Phil Brannen. “As far as grape production, (last year) was very difficult,” Brannen said. “It’d be a lot nicer for us again this year, we don’t necessarily need a completely dry year because I …
Blueberry Production: Protect Against Root Rot Disease
By Clint Thompson Blueberry growers who utilized overhead freeze protection to protect their crop from the freeze event during the weekend of March 12, need to guard against the development of root rot disease. Growers used overhead irrigation to protect against sub-freezing temperatures. In doing so, however, a large amount of water was utilized, resulting in saturated root zones. This …
U.S. Drought Monitor: Dry Conditions Remain in Areas Across Southeast
Recent rains have helped replenish some of the soil moisture in North Florida, though various areas remain either abnormally dry or moderately dry, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Parts of the Panhandle remains abnormally dry, starting in Escambia County and stretching eastward to Jackson County. Much of the central and southern parts of the state remain either abnormally dry …
Unpredictable Year for Florida Peaches
By Clint Thompson Peach production in Florida is unpredictable this year. The inconsistent weather conditions are a key reason why, explains Jose Chaparro, associate professor in the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). “The way that we accumulated chilling this year was really bizarre. I can tell you that in the Umatilla area that they’re going …
UGA Extension Specialist: Fruit Farmers Not Out of the Woods Yet
By Clint Thompson Southeast strawberry and peach producers weathered the latest freeze event on March 13. However, they are not out of the woods yet. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Fruit Disease Specialist Phil Brannen says growers are yearning for warm temperatures and dry conditions over the next month. “We’ve got another full month before we’re out of the woods …
Disease Management Vital for Blueberry Producers Following Freeze
By Clint Thompson A dire situation could get worse for blueberry growers impacted by the freeze event during the weekend of March 12. The crop is susceptible to potential disease pathogens that require immediate action, says Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and small fruits pathologist. “The blueberries were at green fruit stage for the highbush. If they …
Vidalia Onion Crop Recovering from Recent Freeze Event
By Clint Thompson Warmer temperatures for Southeast Georgia are just what the doctor ordered for Vidalia onion plants still recovering from the recent freeze event. Cliff Riner, crop production manager for G&R Farms in Glennville, Georgia, said the crop’s progress was delayed by the sub-freezing temperatures on March 13. “One or two bad days of cold weather like that takes …
Vidalia Onion Field Day to be Held April 6
Farmers and industry leaders are invited to the annual Vidalia Onion Field Day, scheduled for April 6 at noon at the University of Georgia Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia. There will be a lunch, and attendees will be able to tour the research plots. The field day coincides with the beginning of harvest season. Georgia pesticide …
Blueberry Freeze Impact: More Accurate Assessment Expected Next Week
By Clint Thompson The impact from last week’s sub-freezing temperatures on Georgia blueberries will not be known until late next week. Jerome Crosby, chairman of the Georgia Blueberry Commission, said more detailed scouting next week should yield an accurate assessment of where the crop stands heading into the upcoming harvest season. “We’re trying to get some numbers together, field scouting …