AgNet DEMO

Category: Georgia

  • GDA Announces Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

    The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) announces the competitive solicitation process to award the 2021 Specialty Crop Block Grant.

    The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funds projects that “enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops.”

    Please see the specific listing of all eligible and ineligible crops at https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/scbgp/specialty-crop. These include fruits and tree nuts, vegetables and horticulture crops.

    “The goal of this grant program is to help fund research, marketing, and education projects that can produce the highest degree of measurable benefits to Georgia’s specialty crop producers, in relation to each dollar spent,” said Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black.

    According to USDA-AMS guidelines, grant funds will not be awarded for projects whose sole purpose is to benefit a particular commercial product or provide a profit to a single organization, institution, or individual.

    The GDA will accept completed concept proposals no later than noon on Feb. 26, 2021. Approximately, the top 30 most impactful project proposals will be invited to submit a full application. Each application will be carefully reviewed and evaluated by a Review Committee sometime in April or May,” said Jen Erdmann, Director of Grants for the Department.

    Please refer to the links available on the GDA grants webpage located at www.agr.georgia.gov/grants.aspx for the 2021 Request for Applications (RFA), the Concept Proposal form and for additional information. For questions, please contact GrantsDivision@agr.georgia.gov 

  • Bacterial Wilt: Disease Challenging Blueberry Producers

    Photo taken by Jonathan Oliver/UGA: Shows bacterial wilt disease in a blueberry plant.

    A blueberry disease that has impacted the Florida industry since 2016 was found in Georgia for the first time in 2020. While there is no cure for bacterial wilt, producers can apply preventative measures to slow down the disease’s progression.

    “In Florida, they seem to be having increasing problems with it year after year, probably because the bacteria spreads so easily from farm to farm or even within a farm. It spreads by soil, water, anything that picks up soil or water can move the disease around,” said Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and small fruits pathologist.

    Disease Background

    Bacterial wilt was first identified in three separate locations in Florida in 2016. The disease was observed for the first time on Georgia blueberries last year at two locations in Clinch County.

    Initial symptoms of the disease include marginal leaf necrosis, wilting and plant death, sometimes as quickly as three weeks after infection. Farmers need to be wary that symptoms can resemble bacterial leaf scorch or phytophthora root rot.

    Certain Cultivars More Susceptible

    Unfortunately, certain cultivars are more susceptible than others, including Arcadia, Indigocrisp and Keekrisp. Cultivars that are moderately susceptible include Emerald, Farthing and Meadowlark.

    “It looks like based on what they’ve seen in Florida that certain cultivars have much bigger problems with it. Unfortunately, those are cultivars that are increasingly being grown in Florida and also in Georgia because they have other traits that are good,” Oliver said.

    “The more we grow of those cultivars, we definitely will probably see more issues with bacteria wilt. But we may also see it just due to spread. We don’t really have a good handle on what it’s going to look like in Georgia. But in Florida, every year a few more farms are found. I think it’s fairly widespread in parts of Florida now.”

    Management relies mainly on prevention; keeping the pathogen out or limiting the movement of infected plants, equipment and soil between farms. Infected plant materials need to be burned.

  • Looking Ahead: How to Compensate for Low Pecan Prices?

    File photo shows pecans in a bag.

    As disappointing and disheartening last year’s pecan season was for Southeast producers, 2021 has the potential to be worse – if producers don’t take action or if prices don’t improve.

    It was a bountiful crop for Georgia with yields projected at 135 million pounds. But considering that pecan trees are alternate bearing (if they produce a good crop one year, they are less likely to produce a similar result the following year), a decreased crop next season will not compensate for the market, if low prices linger.

    “If our prices are as bad as they were last year, and we don’t have the volume there, growers are really going to feel the pain then. This year, the prices were low, but it was a really good crop and most growers had enough volume to offset some of the low prices. It may have hurt their feelings but most of them would have gotten enough to pay their bills and keep going,” University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells said.

    “If we have a similar situation this year and have a lighter crop as we would expect after such a big year, it could get ugly in that situation.”

    Trimming Expenses

    Wells is encouraging producers to trim expenses when possible.

    “Certainly in the situation that our market is in right now and just not knowing, it may be better than it was last year or it may be the same or it may be worse; we have no way of knowing. In that situation, it would really help to watch your inputs closely,” Wells said.

    The two main areas are in fertility and with fungicide sprays. Fertility, which includes lime, potassium, nitrogen, phosphorous and zinc, account for a little more than 10% of variable costs. Fungicides, which include sprays for scab disease, account for about 12%.

    “Between those two, if you can find some savings, you can really make a dent in your costs of production,” Wells said.

    Soil and Leaf Samples

    Soil and leaf samples are crucial in helping producers understand the conditions of nutrients in their orchards. In many instances, nutrient levels in the soil in older orchards don’t need to be replenished every year. That will save producer additional input costs.

    “We did a survey back in 2007 that showed for a lot of these nutrients like phosphorus, potassium, zinc, a lot of the older mature orchards, the soil levels are good. There’s going to be some variation based on soil type and location. But some of these nutrients, like phosphorus and zinc especially when you get them to the point they need to be, they’re going to be there for a while. You don’t necessarily have to apply them every single year,” Wells said.

    While fungicide sprays for scab disease are essential, especially in production seasons with a lot of rainfall, one alternative is to plant varieties that are much more scab resistant, like Avalon.

  • Vidalia Onion Crop and Disease Update

    The 2021 Vidalia Onion Crop and Disease Update will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 17. It will be held virtually this year from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

    University of Georgia (UGA) Extension scientists will provide an update on disease management recommendations to onion producers and industry experts.

    The speakers include Chris Tyson, area onion agent, and Bhabesh Dutta, UGA Extension plant pathologist.

    Click here to register.

  • Breaking Ground: UGA Establishes New Pecan Research and Demo Plot

    Photo by Chris Tyson/UGA; Shows pecan plantings being done at the Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center.

    The University of Georgia (UGA) broke ground on Wednesday at the UGA Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center for a new 5-acre pecan research and demonstration plot.

    Photo by Chris Tyson/UGA: Shows a hole for a pecan tree to be planted.

    The planted trees will highlight research that focuses on new and current varieties and be used as a location for producer demonstrations as well as other research projects.

    Virtual Production Meeting

    The University of Georgia will host virtual production meetings on Feb. 9 at 9 a.m. and March 9 at 6 p.m. Pecan team members including Lenny Wells (Horticulture), Angelita Acebes (Entomology), Jason Brock (Plant Pathology) and Andrew Sawyer (SE Area Pecan Agent) will provide presentations.

    Click here to register.

  • Alarming Ant Issue: Pest Impacted Hemp in 2020

    File photo shows fire ants.

    Commercial hemp production has taken off in the Southeast. A key takeaway from the different production sites in Georgia and Alabama in 2020 was the alarming number of ant problems reported on production.

    “A lot of times it was fire ants, but it wasn’t exclusively fire ants. There were some other types of ants as well,” said Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

    “It was actually a significant issue. It was somewhat sporadic because some people didn’t have any problems with it. But in other fields, people were losing 10% to 15% of their plants, if not more.”

    Problem in Alabama As Well

    It was a similar problem that was reported in Alabama hemp. Katelyn Kesheimer, Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, said last June, “What I’m seeing now is they’ll kill a plant and just move to the next one pretty quickly. You can see this pattern as they move their mounds. They make these mounds around the base of the plant as they’re feeding.”

    The ants were especially detrimental to plants that were young and vulnerable.

    Ant Feeding

    “They actually feed on the plant. I don’t know if they’re actually consuming that or chewing part of the stem off to use for material in the anthill or ant colony, rather,” Coolong said. “They’ll actually chew into the stem and girdle it and actually put little holes into the stem.

    “Because there’s many insecticides labeled for hemp, when we are growing other crops that may have received insecticide applications at planting or prior to planting, ants aren’t an issue in many cases. Either that plant or the land around it is treated already. But in hemp that’s not an option in many cases. Therefore, it’s certainly more noteworthy.”

    Baits may be the best source of management for producers gearing up for the 2021 season.

    “While the baits themselves are not labeled for hemp production, if those baits are placed outside your production area and then therefore that crop is not coming in contact with them, that would not be an off-labeled use,” Coolong said. “That’s probably the best bet for growers.”

  • Poor Pecan Season Worse for Some Growers

    File photo shows pecans.

    A difficult pecan season was challenging for all and painful for a few. Some farmers compensated for the extremely low prices that lingered all season with bountiful harvests.

    However, some producers were not as fortunate. They either had a short crop or marginal crop that were amplified by some of the lowest prices producers haven’t experienced in decades.

    Georgia pecan farmer Randy Hudson, who also works with the American Pecan Council, serves on the Pecan Export Trade Committee and is a member of the Georgia Pecan Growers Association, said producers who had a short crop are hurting.

    “Not a lot of (the short crop), but there’s some of it. Then we had some growers with some marginal crops that would have paid for themselves had prices been 50 to 75 cents a pound higher or 50 (cents) to a dollar a pound higher. They would have been okay. They would have covered,” Hudson said. “But with the prices that we had and continue to have on marginal crops or short crops or young trees that are just coming into production, they did not cover their experiences.”

  • Georgia Producers Adjust to Unpredictable Winter Weather

    A projected La Nina weather pattern consisting of drier conditions and warmer temperatures has been anything but this winter for Georgia fruit and vegetable producers. With colder temperatures and consistent rainfall, producers have had to adjust.

    The latest US Drought Monitor shows the majority of Georgia has received enough moisture this winter. Only a few counties are abnormally dry.

    “Overall, I think everything’s looking pretty good. It’s been a wet winter and then a cold winter. Now, we’re back into a little bit of a cold snap. I think overall, it was a little wetter than what we would like for it to be. But you have to just deal with what Mother Nature gives you. You can’t be real choosy about that,” said Charles Hall, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Association.

    According to the most recent US Drought Monitor, only a few areas of the state are abnormally dry; a small area in north Georgia, a section of about 10 counties in western Georgia and then along the Atlantic Coast, from Effingham County to Camden County and into Echols County along the Georgia-Florida state line.

    The cooler temperatures should boost the state’s peach crop potential. Chill hours are needed for peaches to properly mature. The specific chill hour requirements depend on what variety is planted.

    “I think they’re where they need to be or better than where they normally are with chill hours at this time. If everything turned warm, the issue would be early bloom. Hopefully, the weather continues on a normal pattern and we move on into the peach season the way we ought to,” Hall said.

  • Back-to-Back Bountiful Watermelon Seasons?

    Watermelons being researched on the UGA Tifton Campus. By Clint Thompson 6–6-17

    It is never too early to start thinking about watermelon season in the Southeast. After all, south Florida’s crop has been in the ground for about a month. Central Florida producers will plant in mid-February. North Florida, Alabama and Georgia are slated to start around mid-March.

    It is never too early to start thinking about another dream season to follow last year’s bountiful season.

    “I’ve been at this 40-some odd years. Could you have two bountiful years back to back? Yes, indeed. Is it likely? Probably not,” said Carr Hussey, a watermelon farmer in Florida and Alabama, chairman of the board of the Florida Watermelon Association and co-founder of Sweet Mama Produce. “That’s a very difficult question because weather is such a big deterrent. I think it’s going to be an okay year, but I don’t know if it’ll be as bountiful as last year.”

    Short Supply, High Demand in 2020

    Watermelons were in short supply last year that contributed to higher prices for Southeast farmers. Hussey predicted in May there could be a watermelon shortage by Memorial Day. Prices in mid-May were around 20 cents per pound. Florida’s watermelon supply diminished due to three straight weekends of rain events. Heavy rains on mature vines lead to a quick harvest season.

    But those farmers that had a crop were able to sell and sell at high prices for most of the season.

    “In my 40-something years I’ve seen about three of those. I hate to say it, but I think COVID had a little bit to do with it last year. People were staying home, doing more Bar-B-Quing. I really think it helped the pricing. The bountifulness was already there, but the demand was higher which kept the price good,” Hussey said. “Will that happen again this year? I hope so. I don’t hope for COVID, of course.”

    Prices also could be impacted by an increase in acres. Georgia’s acreage dropped to around 19,000 last year. It was a significant decline from the 23,000-acre average from it had from 2016 to 2018. But with word of higher prices in 2020, it should entice farmers to plant more acres this year.

    “Anytime there’s a really good year, everybody and their brother want to get on it next year. That’s what will probably deter the price from being as good,” Hussey said. “But that being said, if they don’t increase it dramatically, it’ll still be a good year; if they don’t increase acreage dramatically.”

  • Be on Alert: Pecan Producers Watch Out for Ambrosia Beetles

    According to the University of Georgia Extension Pecan blog, now is the time of year where producers need to be wary of ambrosia beetles. This is especially important for farmers with trees that are less than 5 years old.

    Photo by UGA’s Andrew Sawyer shows ambrosia beetle damage to a pecan tree.

    Winter rains mean some trees are prone to flooded conditions, where they are susceptible to ambrosia beetle attacks. Angel Acebes-Doria, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan entomologist, said that if the soil remains wet for several days, growers need to scout trees in those areas for signs of attacks once beetle activity has been detected or when temperature consistently reaches 68 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

    Beetle activity is identified by the toothpick-sized sawdust tubes they leave sticking out of holes bored in pecan trees. Farmers are strongly encouraged to deploy traps, which help to indicate when beetles are active. Immediate action is required if growers detect beetles and suspect their trees are damaged.

    If trees are being attacked, producers can apply pyrethroids at the trunk of the tree. The more often beetles attack a tree, the less likely that tree will survive an attack.

    In her blog, Acebes-Doria said traps have been deployed in the Cook County, Georgia area, though beetle activity has not been observed yet. Activity normally starts in early February and peaks in late February to mid-March.

    Click here to see what traps to use and when to put them out.

    The best way to protect your trees from ambrosia beetle attacks is to maintain healthy trees.