By Kelly Simmons for UGA CAES News The University of Georgia is partnering with the Georgia Department of Agriculture to present a free digital marketing webinar for agribusiness owners looking for alternate ways to sell their products. The webinar will be held on Wednesday June 17 at 10 a.m. by the UGA Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the Department of …
Are Tiny Bugs Hiding Inside Your Strawberries?
By Ashley Robinson A few weeks ago, a viral TikTok video took the internet by storm, showing what appeared to be little worm-like bugs crawling out of fresh strawberries soaked in salt water. Since that video surfaced, many consumers have recreated the video showing similar results. Now, some consumers are panicking. Is this safe? Have we unknowingly been enjoying bugs …
Rapid and Sensitive Method for Detection of Phytophthora Capsici in Irrigation Water Sources
Emran Ali, Owen Hudson, Justin Hand, and Sumyya Waliullah Georgia ranks among the top three states in the nation in vegetable production. One of the most serious diseases in vegetable production in Georgia is Phytophthora blight, caused by the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora capsici. It is a water mold that attacks the roots, foliage, and fruit, causing root rot, crown rot, …
Recent Rains Could Lead to Spike in Pecan Scab Disease
By Clint Thompson Scab disease of pecans has been light so far this year. But could soon change with the recent rain events in the Southeast, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist. “Scab so far has been light, but we’ve had some pretty scabby weather the last week or so. We’ll see, but I think everybody …
UGA Entomologist: Potential Is There for Whitefly Outbreak
By Clint Thompson It is too early to say if this year’s whitefly impact on vegetables and cotton will rival 2017. But University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist Stormy Sparks insists the potential is there. Sparks estimates that the whitefly population is about the same as a month ago. There have been some reports of populations existing primarily …
UF/IFAS Remaining Resilient
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) hosted a virtual statewide discussion for stakeholders on June 8 to provide an update on its initiatives. The emphasis was on efforts and issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the webinar, Nick Place, UF/IFAS Extension dean and director, highlighted Extension’s efforts to address the COVID-19 challenges. “This has …
Perdue Comments on Farmers Competing With Mexican Produce
By Clint Thompson Today’s talk with U.S. Secretary of Ag Sonny Perdue focuses on imports of Mexican produce. It’s been a concern for farmers who are trying to compete against Mexico. It was especially concerning this year as growers, especially in the Southeast, also had to overcome challenges with the coronavirus pandemic. For other testimonials of unfair competition with Mexico, …
CFAP Payments Already Being Issued
By Clint Thompson Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) payments are already starting to be issued across the country to farmers impacted by COVID-19. Some specialty crop growers in the Southeast have already started receiving funds. As of June 8, in Florida, 95 specialty crop applications have been submitted with $11.5 million in payments issued by the USDA. In Georgia, 91 …
Powdery Mildew Alert!
According to UGA Extension Viticulture blog, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Fruit Disease Specialist Phil Brannen says powdery mildew is just starting to show up on untreated plants in the research grape vineyard at Blairsville, Georgia. “I hope you will not see it yet in well managed vineyards, but recent rains and other difficulties may have hampered spray programs,” Brannen …
Georgia: Ag bills still in play when session paused
By Will Bentley It’s a surreal moment in Georgia politics as two years of policy work hangs in the balance after lawmakers pressed the pause button on the 2020 legislative session due to the coronavirus pandemic. Before turning our full attention to working with state and federal leaders to navigate through the heath crisis, the Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) was …