honeymoon phase

Honeymoon Phase for Georgia Citrus Production

Dan CooperDisease, Georgia

Georgia citrus growers are still in the honeymoon phase of production with regards to disease, said Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and small fruits pathologist. While established groves in Florida have had to deal with disease buildup for decades, disease has yet to be problematic for South Georgia citrus production. But that could be changing. “With respect …

learning process

Cold-Hardy Citrus Production: A Learning Process

Dan CooperCold Hardy

Production in the cold-hardy citrus region continues to be a learning process for growers. Producers in North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama are learning this year the price of alternate bearing for their satsuma mandarin crop. After a heavy crop load last season, production is expected to taper off quite a bit this season across the cold-hardy citrus region. …

alternate bearing

Alternate Bearing Affecting Cold-Hardy Citrus Production

Dan CooperCold Hardy, Productionj

Trees in the cold-hardy citrus region are expected to produce a low crop in 2025 following a massive crop in 2024.  Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, believes the trees’ alternate bearing cycle will contribute to the decreased crop in 2025, especially for satsuma mandarins. “This alternate bearing pattern probably started in 2023. That …

dry

Citrus Water Needs Critical Amid Dry Period

Dan CooperIrrigation, Weather

The current dry period in the Southeast can negatively impact the region’s citrus groves. Trees in the cold-hardy citrus region of North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama need water, especially ahead of the next harvest season. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, discussed why water is so important this time of year. “Water …

crop

Georgia Citrus Crop Outlook Following Hurricane Helene

Dan CooperGeorgia, Hurricanes

More than a month removed from Hurricane Helene, Georgia citrus growers have a better idea of the impact the devastating storm had on this year’s crop. All things considered, Georgia growers are fortunate with the fruit that is still left to be harvested, says Lindy Savelle, executive director of the Georgia Citrus Association. “Everything we’ve heard so far is that …

managing

Immediate Response Required When Managing HLB

Dan CooperCold Hardy, HLB Management

The first chore for growers in the cold-hardy citrus region when managing citrus greening is scouting for the disease and its vector, the Asian citrus psyllid. The next step is prompt removal of any trees infected with the disease, says Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and small fruits pathologist. “At this point, we think greening is still …

scouting

Scouting Critical for Southeast Citrus Industry

Dan CooperGeorgia, HLB Management, Psyllids

Regular scouting for Asian citrus psyllids and citrus greening disease is critical for Georgia’s citrus industry to remain healthy. That advice applies to both commercial growers and homeowners, Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and small fruits pathologist, said during the recent Citrus Grower’s Summer Update meeting in Valdosta. Oliver encouraged all growers to scout for the disease …

commercial

HLB and Psyllids in Georgia Commercial Citrus

Dan CooperGeorgia, Psyllids

One of Georgia citrus growers’ worst fears is slowly becoming a reality. Citrus greening, also known as huanglongbing (HLB), was observed in a Georgia commercial citrus grove for the first time in 2023. This is alarming news for the industry, says Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and small fruits pathologist. “We knew HLB was here in residential …

Early Budbreak Could be Devastating for Pecan Producers

Web AdminPecan

By Clint Thompson Early budbreak for pecan trees in the Southeast could be a devastating development for producers. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan specialist, highlighted the concerns growers have with buds breaking 2 to 3 weeks earlier than last year. “It could be good or bad, it just depends on what our weather does between now and …

CAES Research Keeps Georgia Agriculture on Leading Edge of Innovation

Web AdminGeorgia

By Jordan Powers The University of Georgia Office of Research recently announced a record-breaking fiscal year 2022 with more than a half billion dollars spent on research and development. The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) was responsible for $112.8 million, an increase of $13.8 million from fiscal year 2021 in overall money spent on research. These expenditures contribute …