Insect Update in Georgia Vegetables

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Spring vegetable season is in full swing in South Georgia. Vegetable farmers are managing pests and diseases that are challenging this year’s crops. Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist, highlighted pests that have been a challenge this year for producers, including one in particular. “I think thrips have been a problem this spring. …

Georgia Ag Commissioner Touts ‘Great’ Time of Year for Fruits, Vegetables

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Spring vegetable crops are in the ground. Fruits like peaches and blueberries are being harvested or about to be, as are Vidalia onions. It’s a great time of year for Georgia’s specialty crop industry, explains Georgia Ag Commissioner Tyler Harper. He touted Georgia Grown during the UGA Grand Farm groundbreaking ceremony in Perry, Georgia. “When you get …

Drought Monitor Update: Heavy Rains Alleviate Dry Conditions in Georgia, Alabama

Clint ThompsonAlabama

Recent rainfall has provided much-needed moisture for parts of the Southeast, and it is reflected in the May 15 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Georgia mostly has sufficient moisture except for a couple of areas that have abnormally dry conditions. One area includes Colquitt, Grady, Thomas, Brooks, Lowndes, Echols, Clinch, Lanier, Atkinson and Ware counties in South Georgia; as …

Georgia Strawberry Production Perseveres Despite Neopestalotiopsis

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Neopestalotiopsis disease has been problematic in some Georgia strawberry farms this year. Drew Echols, owner of Jaemor Farms in Alto, Georgia, was not immune to the disease’s impact in North Georgia. However, he has a better outlook on this year’s crop compared to earlier in the season. “I’ve got too many gaps in the field. But the …

Dry Weather Preferred for Georgia Watermelon Producers

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson South Georgia’s dry weather conditions are not a bad thing for the region’s watermelon production. In fact, it is what specialty crop producers prefer. They want to be the ones applying the water, says Ty Torrance, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable agent for Colquitt, Tift and Worth counties. “As far as vegetables go for sure, we’d …

Westward Bound: Georgia Citrus Association Learns New Varieties in Trip to California

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson and Nick Papagni The Georgia Citrus Association’s trip to California last week allowed the state’s industry leaders to look for opportunities to advance citrus in the cold-hardy citrus region. One of the focuses was learning about the different varieties produced in California that could have a potential future in the Southeast. Lindy Savelle, executive director of the …

Georgia Pecan Grower: No. 1 Issue is Capital

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Pecan

By Clint Thompson The grower panel at this year’s Georgia Pecan Growers Association meeting in March allowed the state’s producers to address trending issues like low prices and potential export markets like India. One of the main topics highlighted were current concerns felt by growers. Low prices were one, and the lack of working capital was another. It was addressed …

North Georgia Peach Producer Optimistic About This Year’s Crop

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson One North Georgia peach producer is a little more than a month away from starting his harvest season. Drew Echols, owner of Jaemor Farms, could not be more optimistic about this year’s crop. “I think it’s going to be good. I feel good about it,” Echols said. “Depending on the varieties, we’ve got fruit that is dime …

Downy Mildew Confirmed in North Florida, South Georgia Watermelons

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Downy mildew disease has been confirmed in a North Florida watermelon field, according to Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. Not only that, it was also confirmed in South Georgia as well. But growers must consider all the facts before responding to the breaking news. Hochmuth …

Minimal Rain in Forecast for Georgia

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Last week’s increased rainfall helped improve the drought conditions across Georgia, according to the latest release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. However, last Monday’s deluge may be the last substantial rainfall for the state over the next couple of weeks. Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist, highlights what precipitation is expected in the foreseeable future. …