By Clint Thompson South Georgia’s wettest summer since 2013 has vegetable and specialty crop farmers hoping for more sunshine, especially as preparations begin for fall plantings. “It’s killing us. We’re trying to lay plastic and trying to get stuff seeded in the greenhouse. This cloudy weather just isn’t good for anything,” said Tift County farmer Jaime Patrick said. “We’re getting …
Show Director: Growers Excited About Expo’s Return This Year
By Clint Thompson Growers and industry leaders are ready for the return of the Citrus, Vegetable and Specialty Crop Expo in August, says Josh McGill, show director. After being held virtually in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic, the annual two-day event returns in-person this year. “Not only are we excited but the exhibitors are excited. The sponsors and growers we’ve …
Soaked: Wet Summer Could Impact Fall Plantings for Georgia Growers
By Clint Thompson A saturated summer for South Georgia could impact farmers’ preparation for their fall crops. Much like this past spring when plantings were delayed because of excessive rains, that same scenario could be played out later this summer. Soils are saturated. Sunshine is needed. Fields need to dry out. “We have to have fair enough weather conditions to …
Florida Citrus Growers Watching the Tropics
We are well over a month into the 2021 hurricane season. Tropical Storm Elsa is reminding us exactly what can happen in the state of Florida this time of year. Executive Director of the Highlands County Citrus Growers Association (HCCGA), Ray Royce, says with summer here, eyes now turn to the weather. As for Tropical Storm Elsa, warnings and watches …
High Volume, Prices for Melon Growers Heading Into Fourth of July Weekend
By Clint Thompson Vegetable and specialty crop prices are down for most commodities, except watermelon. Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, said he heard last week that watermelon prices were holding at about 20 cents per pound. That’s encouraging news for producers heading into this week’s Fourth of July weekend. “Mid-June, …
Sweet Corn Alert: Alabama Growers Be Wary of Pests
By Clint Thompson Katelyn Kesheimer’s message to Alabama’s sweet corn producers is simple: “At this point, if your plants are thinking about silking, be prepared to spray.” The Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist advises producers to be mindful of corn earworms and fall armyworms. Both need to be taken care of before infestations get out of control. “Corn …
Developing Diseases: Increased Rains Expected to Challenge Melon Growers
By Clint Thompson Increased rain events in June mean a potential increase in disease development for Georgia’s watermelon producers. Bhabesh Dutta, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension plant pathologist, said there are a few diseases that growers need to be mindful of following excessive rain in parts of South Georgia over the past week. “I would say I’ve been seeing a …
Alabama Growers Be Mindful of Blueberry Rust
Blueberry rust has been identified in rabbiteye blueberries in Alabama, according to Alabama Extension. It has the potential to be very damaging to yields and is most prevalent in the Southeast. Rabbiteye cultivars suffer from premature defoliation, while highbush blueberries are subject to occasional localized outbreaks. It is important to scout blueberries to see if symptoms are present. Yellow leaf …
Nutsedge Management Key for Florida Vegetable Growers
By Clint Thompson Nutsedge may not be the most problematic weed Florida vegetable and specialty crop producers encounter every year, but it is a problem. Nutsedge is most concerning because it is the only weed to puncture through plastic mulch, says Nathan Boyd, University of Florida Associate Center Director and Associate Professor of Horticulture/Weed Science at the Gulf Coast Research …
Scab Disease: UGA Extension Encourages Growers to be Alert After Recent Rains
By Clint Thompson Much-needed rain was received this week across the Southeast. But now there is increased risk for scab disease for pecan producers in Georgia and Alabama. Growers need to be on alert and stay vigilant with their spray programs, according to Lenny Wells, University of Georgia, Cooperative Extension pecan specialist. “It had gotten really dry, but the flipside …