Southeast pecan producers interested in serving on the American Pecan Promotion Board can submit a nomination no later than March 26.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking nominations for the board under the Pecan Promotion, Research, and Information Order.
The board will be comprised of 17 members; 10 producers and seven importers. The producers will be divided between three regions: three from the Eastern Region; three from the Central Region; and four from the Western Region.
Each member’s term will begin when USDA approves the nominations.
A producer or importer who has produced or imported more than 50,000 pounds of in-shell pecans (25,000 pounds of shelled pecans) on average for four fiscal periods is eligible to serve. Producers who produce pecans in more than one region may seek nomination only in the region in which they produce the majority of their crop.
Nominations for producer member seats will be submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture by the American Pecan Council, the 17-member federal marketing order governing body. If you are interested in serving as a producer member, please submit your nominations to info@americanpecan.com. You may also contact Jeff Smutny at (817) 916-0020.
For more information about the program, visit the AMS American Pecan Promotion Board webpage or contact USDA Promotion and Economics Division Deputy Director, Patricia Petrella, at (301) 337-5295 or Patricia.Petrella@usda.gov.
ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Agriculture wants Georgians to ‘Protect the Peach.’
The new campaign is implemented to help inform rural Georgians about the best ways to protect their communities amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
GDA’s Georgia Grown program has partnered with Georgia Farm Bureau, the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service and state commodity groups to promote the campaign.
“This is a great example of partners coming together with one message all working towards a unified goal,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black in a press release. “Agriculture is critical infrastructure in Georgia, and we want to make sure that our essential workers are well informed, especially once we move into phase 1B of the vaccination plan.”
The campaign ties agriculture commodities together with information to learn more about the vaccine that is supported by a targeted social media campaign using the hashtag #ProtectYourPeach.
The commodities that are highlighted throughout the campaign include dairy, beef, peach, peanut, poultry, vegetable and forestry.
Southeast producers who utilize the H-2A program finally know what the minimum wage is they must pay in 2021. The USDA Farm Labor Survey revealed that wage rates for H-2A labor are increasing at an average rate of 4.5% or $0.63 per hour across the country. For the Southeast, though, those levels are much lower.
Florida’s wages will increase by 3.2% from 2020 to 2021. Georgia and Alabama will go up by just 0.9%.
“I think growers, no matter what part of the country you’re from, when you say on a day-to-day basis, what’s one of your biggest concerns, it’s finding labor,” said Veronica Nigh, economist with American Farm Bureau. “That’s been the case for several years. I think the fact that we keep seeing the wage rate go up is indicative of that strong demand for farm labor.”
The average H-2A wage rate for Florida is $12.08 per hour. The rate is $11.81 for Georgia and Alabama. The rates are much lower than states like California ($16.05), Oregon ($16.34), Washington ($16.34) and Texas ($13.03). According to American Farm Bureau, the average wage rate for field and livestock workers was $14.62 in 2020, an increase of 4.5% from $13.99 in 2019.
“When you need hands, you need hands. If you can squeeze out the money from the budget then that’s what folks seem to be doing. Overall, nationally, we’re up about 4.5% this year compared to last,” Nigh said. “In the Southeast, that wasn’t as big of an increase; only a 10 cents per hour increase, which is a little less than 1%. That’s good from a grower’s perspective for sure. Still, getting at around $12 per hour is still quite a hefty wage rate to be paying.”
Expensive Five-Year Increase
While the wage increase is relatively small for states in the Southeast, a look at the past five years paints a different picture. From 2016 to 2021, Georgia and Alabama have experienced an 11% hike in the wage rate, while Florida has increased 9%, according to the USDA Farm Labor Survey.
Nigh said in August that Florida was the largest user of the program during the year’s first three quarters with 28,005 certified positions. Georgia had listed more than 23,000 certified positions.
“Lets say conservatively 1.5 million workers are needed per year and we’re looking at 275,000 positions were certified in 2020. That’s only 18% of the workforce,” Nigh said. “You look at long-term trends and the number of workers that are employed in agriculture, it’s been somewhere between 1.5 and 2 million workers, despite the fact that we’ve seen quite a bit of mechanization over the last couple of decades. If H-2A is only less than 20% of the workforce right now, one would assume we’re just going to keep seeing that (rate) go up and up.”
According to the Alabama Extension Commercial Horticulture Facebook page, recent samples of hemp seedlings sent to the Auburn University Plant Diagnostic Lab yielded discouraging results.
Photo from Alabama Extension Commercial Horticulture Facebook page/Shows gray mold on hemp.
The seedlings and clones were infected with gray mold or Botrytis cinerea. The fungus favors a cloudy and cool environment. Hemp that is produced in greenhouses in conditions that are high in humidity are at risk to be infected by the fungus.
Gray mold develops primarily in flower buds and plant parts that are tightly-packed. The fungus is commonly found in and between buds where microclimates are humid and air flow is restricted. Bud blight is the most common symptom of gray mold observed.
Botrytis cinerea is dependent on a wound or opening in the plant tissue for infection to occur.
Proper sanitation is essential in controlling gray mold. It is especially important to start with clean plant materials.
Scouting on a regular basis will help identify potential problem areas in the greenhouse early before the disease is firmly established. If symptoms of gray mold are observed, producers need to prune and discard any tissue that is dead, dying or diseased.
Use adequate plant spacing to ensure air is properly circulated. Maintain humidity levels near 50%. Avoid irrigating the leaves and canopy, and do not over-fertilize, especially with nitrogen. Monitor and manage insects that can create wounds for the fungus to enter the plant.
For the second straight year, the Using Pesticides Wisely program will be offered in a virtual format amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The training, which is offered by the University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension and Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA), will be offered on 11 different dates in March and April.
Culpepper
University of Georgia Extension weed specialist Stanley Culpepper provides insight on what farmers and their applicators can expect when attending this year’s training.
“Like every year, part of our Using Pesticides Wisely Training platform is to bring all of our applicators up to date on our challenges and share information to help them overcome those challenges. This year’s training will focus on a lot of different topics,” Culpepper said. “We’re going to make sure everybody’s really comfortable with the new Dicamba labels. That’s had some significant changes, so we’re going to make everybody comfortable with those new changes. We’re going to focus on topics to help every grower achieve their objective of keeping every pesticides on target.”
He added that additional topics will include the Paraquat training that is now required by the Environmental Protection Agency, herbicide resistance and farmer health.
“Everything that we’re focusing on this year is important to anyone if they think pesticides are a critical tool to their sustainability as they search to feed, produce feed, food and fiber for the world,” Culpepper said.
UGA Extension and the Georgia Department of Agriculture created the UPW trainings in 2015.
Trainings Schedule
The trainings schedule is as follows:
March 8 5:30 p.m.
March 11 9 a.m.
March 15 5:30 p.m.
March 18 9 a.m.
March 22 5:30 p.m.
March 25 9 a.m.
March 29 5:30 p.m.
April 1 9 a.m.
April 5 5:30 p.m.
April 8 9 a.m.
April 12 5:30 p.m.
Each individual applicator must pre-register to attend the training. Registration is permitted up to two hours prior to the training. No trainings will be offered after April 15 for the 2021 season.
Resende said scientists can use this information to improve the breeding methods.
“This is expected to translate into better varieties for farmers and consumers,” said Resende, a UF/IFAS assistant professor of horticultural sciences.
For the study, published in Nature Communications, Resende chose a variety that represents the foundation of supersweet corn in the United States.
He and his colleagues used several technologies to reconstruct the sweet corn genome. By using these techniques, the scientists learned the exact structure of the natural mutation of the gene that creates supersweet corn, and therefore higher sugar content.
“We were now able to sequence the genome of a supersweet corn, which will help us to accelerate the development process of novel varieties,” Resende said. “Moving forward, we will analyze the DNA of our current breeding lines and compare them against this genome to select which ones to move forward in the breeding process.”
Preparations need to be done well in advance for producers interested in producing blueberry plants, said Elina Coneva, an Extension specialist in the Horticulture Department at Auburn University, during a webinar on the Alabama Extension Commercial Horticulture Facebook page.
“For those who are considering becoming blueberry growers, I would let you know that you need start preparation for your blueberry field at least one year in advance,” Coneva said. “The good soil types for growing blueberries are characterized by light, sandy and well-drained soils. In addition to all the nutrients that you need to check in your soil, you need to be aware of the pH in your soil. Unlike almost all other fruit crops, the optimal soil pH for blueberry production is between 4.2 and 5.5.”
She also added that it is important that farmers add organic matter to their soil. This can be achieved through cover crops or through peat moss, though it is a more expensive option. The most popular option is the use of pine bark.
“This (organic matter) adjustment will improve the chemical, physical and mechanical properties of the soil in which the blueberries are going to be grown,” Coneva said.
She added that each 1% of soil organic matter releases about 15 pounds of nitrogen each year.
Fresh produce continues its steady growth at retail, with increased sales for fruits and vegetables during the fourth quarter of 2020. That’s according to a new report from United Fresh, detailing the fourth quarter of last year and the 2020 year-end report.
Among the fourth quarter highlights, both fruits and vegetables continued to grow as sales surged across categories driven by consumers making more shopping trips and spending more during those trips. Total fruit sales generated $7.3 billion in the last quarter of 2020, representing 7.7% growth over the previous year. Vegetable sales grew 14% during the quarter, reaching $8.8 billion.
Some of the key numbers from the Year-End report show produce departments generating $7.1 billion in 2020, accounting for 33% of total fresh sales, second only to the meat department.
Total fruit sales in the U.S. reached $33.7 billion and were 14.4% higher than the previous year. Apples, grapes and bananas ranked as the top three categories in sales.
Vegetable sales reached a new high of $35.8 billion and were 14% higher than in 2019. Pre-packed salads, tomatoes and potatoes were the top three categories in sales.
(From the National Association of Farm Broadcasters)
Bacterial streak and bulb rot caused by Pseudomonas viridiflava. A: Foliar symptoms include water-soaked lesions and collapsed leaf tissues. The corrugated appearance is due to protruding veins in leaves. B: A blue-green appearance is occasionally observed in post-harvest rots caused by this pathogen.
By Bhabesh Dutta
The climate prevalent in the Vidalia onion zone (southeastern Georgia) is conducive to many diseases. Among the diseases, those that are caused by bacteria and fungi are the prominent ones. Some of the diseases caused by water molds or oomycetes (Pythium damping-off and downy mildew) can also be seen periodically. Based on my experience as a vegetable Extension pathologist and onion disease specialist in Georgia, I generally see a seasonality to some of the important diseases. This article covers points that relate to disease seasonality and management.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER PROBLEMS
Onion seeds are sown around mid-September to early October on seedbeds. Some of the diseases that are normally seen during this period are Pythium damping-off and foliar blight caused by Xanthomonas leaf blight and Pantoea sp.
Bulb rot symptoms of sour skin on onion. Photo credit: David B. Langston, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
Fungicides labeled for onion are effective against Pythium and can be used as a soil application according to the label. Use of optimum watering and avoiding seedbeds in low-lying areas of the field can also help in managing this disease.
In terms of bacterial blights in seedlings on seedbeds, some growers use copper-based bactericides that are effective. Normally, nature takes its own course. When these seedlings are transplanted in the field, carry-over bacterial disease issues from seedbeds are seldom seen. This is in part due to the cooler conditions that are prevalent during December and January, which these bacterial pathogens do not prefer.
Onion seedlings are transplanted after Thanksgiving or in late November and continue until mid-December. Diseases are not so common during these months; however, Vidalia onion growers use a preventive spray of broad-spectrum fungicides that provides a general level of protection against foliar fungal pathogens.
Foliar symptoms of yellow bud disease on onion include intense chlorosis on emerging leaves and severe blight on the older leaves. Photo credit: Ronald D. Gitaitis, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
JANUARY/FEBRUARY DISEASES
Fungal diseases are rare during December and January, but some bacterial diseases like bacterial streak and bulb rot (causal organism: Pseudomonas viridiflava) and yellow bud (causal organism: Pseudomonas coronafaciens) can be observed in late January to late February. Use of copper-based bactericide spray, optimum nitrogen fertilization and optimum irrigation generally help in managing these diseases.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR IN MARCH
As the temperature becomes moderate in March, along with frequent rainfall, Botrytis leaf blight (causal organism: Botrytis squamosa) and purple blotch (causal organism: Alternaria porri) can be observed. Stemphylium stem blight (causal organism: Stemphylium vesicarium) can also be seen in fields that are infected with either of these fungal pathogens. In general, Stemphylium sp. appears to be a weak pathogen under Georgia conditions, and it generally follows after Botrytis leaf blight, purple blotch or other diseases. A comprehensive fungicide program [as recommended by University of Georgia Cooperative (UGA) Extension] beginning in early March until harvest maturity (mid-April) effectively manages these three fungal diseases.
During the same time, the dreadful downy mildew disease (causal organism: Peronospora destructor) can also occur. Downy mildew is sporadic but aggressive. This disease is favored by prolonged leaf moisture and cooler night temperatures.
The fungicides that are labeled for use on onion against downy mildew are either moderately effective or less effective. Rotation of some of the moderately effective fungicides from different modes of action can help. Management practices that reduce prolonged leaf moisture and promote aeration can also help. The Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center and UGA Extension specialists provide weekly forecasts of conditions that are conducive for downy mildew. These weekly alerts help onion growers to preventively spray against this pathogen.
Symptoms of slippery skin include white and bleached leaves (A) and soft-rot symptoms in bulbs (B). Photo credit: Howard F. Schwartz, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org
Bacterial diseases appear to be prevalent and problematic during the third week of March to harvest (late April) and can carry-over to storage (cause post-harvest losses). Some of the important bacterial diseases that Vidalia onion growers encounter are center rot (causal organism/organisms: Pantoea species complex), sour skin (causal organism: Burkholderia cepacia) and slippery skin (causal organism: Burkholderia gladioli pv. allicola). Sour skin and slippery skin are generally observed around harvest maturity.
Some of the minor bacterial diseases that can also be seen around harvest maturity are Enterobacter bulb rot/decay (causal organism: Enterobacter sp.), Rahnella bulb rot (causal organism: Rahnella sp.) and Pectobacterium soft rot (causal organism: Pectobacterium sp.).
Center rot outbreaks in Georgia generally coincide with the prevalence of thrips, which usually appear in late March and continue to increase in population throughout the rest of the crop growth period. Pantoea sp. can be acquired and effectively transmitted by thrips and hence, it is postulated that center rot appears in the Vidalia onion region when both thrips and Pantoea sp. are present together. Pantoea sp. can also be seed-borne, but its importance in disease outbreak may not be significant.
The bacterium is also present on asymptomatic weeds as an epiphyte, and in most of the cases, the bacterium in non-pathogenic. However, some of the Pantoea sp. on weeds can be pathogenic on onion seedlings/plants. As far as management of this disease is concerned, an effective weed and thrips management program along with a bactericide spray (program during susceptible onion growth stages) can effectively reduce the incidence and severity of disease in foliage and bulbs.
Onion bulbs reveal damage by infection with Enterobacter cloacae. Photo credit: Howard F. Schwartz, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org
Sour skin and slippery skin management are quite challenging; in most cases, use of a bactericide program does not seem to effectively manage these diseases. Crop rotation may provide a limited benefit, but due to the pathogen’s natural widespread prevalence in soil, real benefits of this cultural practice are hard to achieve.
Soil amendments with solarization, biofumigants and biocontrol also provided limited benefit, especially for sour skin. The UGA Extension Bulletin on bacterial disease management recommends avoiding overhead irrigation near harvest time. Another critical recommendation is harvesting onion at the optimum level of maturity followed by field curing for a minimum of 48 hours. Infected bulbs should be graded and discarded prior to storage with other healthy appearing onions. Evaluation of cultural practices, nitrogen fertilization, irrigation regimes (type, frequency) and post-harvest treatments are underway with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture Specialty Crop Research Initiative (2019-51181-30013) and the Vidalia Onion Committee grants. Production practices that generally reduce weeds, thrips and/or other insect pests, preventing injury to the foliage/bulb, avoiding over-irrigation, along with diligent use of a fungicide and bactericide spray program will help manage these diseases.
In a time when prices are low and expenses are high, pecan producers need to cut costs, not corners. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist, believes farmers can hold back in applying certain nutrients this year, if there is an abundant supply already in the orchard.
UGA photo/Shows young, immature pecan trees at the Ponder Farm on the UGA Tifton Campus in 2016.
Take phosphorus for example.
“Most of our orchards are high in phosphorus. Once you get phosphorus levels up in an orchard, they tend to stay there a long, long time,” said Wells during one of his winter production meetings. “For pecans, basically if your soil phosphorus is less than 30 pounds per acre, then you need to broadcast phosphorus in the orchard. If it’s more than that, a broadcast application is just not going to do you any good.
“We have situations where we have orchard soils that are that are higher than 30 pounds per acre and your leaf phosphorus is low. What’s happening there is, there’s something going on in that soil that’s tying up that phosphorus and it’s not available to the tree. The only way to get around that is to do a narrow band application of phosphorus over the drip emitters in the wet zone where the irrigation is. A broadcast application is not going to help. This narrow band application overwhelms that spot with phosphorus. The tree can then take it up in that zone where you’ve concentrated it.”
If farmers can avoid applying phosphorus, it will save them about $18 per acre.
