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. …
Clemson Extension Provides Weekly Crop Updates
Clemson Extension agents provide crop updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various specialty crops being produced throughout the state. Statewide Plant Pathologist Tony Keinath reports, “With the wet weather the past two weeks, gummy stem blight is spreading rapidly on watermelon. Because of widespread resistance to tebuconazole and the need for systemic fungicides, growers …
Water and Soil pH Critical to Citrus Nutrition
There 17 essential elements that plants need to grow. Three of those elements come to plants via water and the atmosphere. The 14 other elements come from fertilizer applications. Almost all of those are dependent on soil pH to determine how well they are picked up by plants’ root systems. Getting the soil pH just right was discussed in the …
More Flexibility for Crop Insurance Reporting
Southeast specialty crop growers now have more flexibility to use their own records to adhere to crop insurance reporting requirements. This will aid farmers who sell through direct marketing channels to collect insurance, report annual production or file a claim, says Marcia Bunger, administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA). “This particular change is going …
Tomato Season: Prepare for Bacterial Spot
By Clint Thompson Tomato season may have just ended in North Florida, but the fall crop will soon be planted. Josh Freeman, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) associate professor in horticultural science, estimates planting will begin around July 20-23. But growers should be mindful of one disease that could threaten the fall crop, especially amid …
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 …
Bacterial Spot a Concern for Fall Tomato Crop
By Clint Thompson Tomato season may have just ended in North Florida, but the fall crop will soon be planted. Josh Freeman, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) associate professor in horticultural science, estimates planting will begin around July 20-23. But growers should be mindful of one disease that could threaten the fall crop, especially amid …
Insect Activity Increasing Across Alabama
Insect activity has increased across Alabama, according to Alabama Extension. Traps record pest populations across the state over a two-week period. Specialty crop producers should be wary of beet armyworms and southern armyworms. Beet armyworms have increased 32% compared to a 75% increase for fall armyworms. According to the pest monitoring report, there were 99 beet armyworms on July 1, …
Recent Rains Helping North Georgia Peach Crop
By Clint Thompson What were hot and dry weather conditions have turned into sporadic periods of rainfall in North Georgia. That has been positive news for the state’s peach crop, says Drew Echols, owner of Jaemor Farms in Alto, Georgia, and president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association. “You catch an inch of rain on some peaches that …
Alabama Hemp Production: Eye-Opening Experience for Producers This Year
By Clint Thompson Hot temperatures combined with a prolonged drought created less-than-ideal conditions for Alabama hemp production this year. Katelyn Kesheimer, Auburn University assistant professor and Extension specialist, said it has been an eye-opening experience for growers. “What’s definitely been eye-opening for producers is how much time and energy goes into getting a successful plant; not even a crop, just …