By Allison Fortner for CAES News The international popularity of pecans is trending upward, but more reliable measures for guaranteeing quality during storage are needed to meet demand in Georgia, the top state for pecan production. A review conducted by University of Georgia researchers identified scientific principles behind postharvest storage and handling techniques for pecans and revealed the need for a mathematical model …
Plan Ahead Before Planting This Fall
Planting fruit trees can be rewarding but only if you plan ahead. If growers don’t research their crops extensively and determine what varieties will grow best in their region, the potential rewarding experience can lead to a letdown. Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University, reminds commercial growers and homeowners the …
Sneak Peek: December 2020 VSCNews Magazine
By Ashley Robinson Georgia growers may recognize the man on the cover of the December issue of VSCNews Magazine. Stanley Culpepper, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension Weed Agronomist, has more than two decades of experience working with vegetable crops. Learn more about Culpepper’s expertise and his impact on the vegetable industry in the magazine. Also discussed in the magazine are …
UGA Vegetable Entomologist: Potential Explosion of Whiteflies This Fall Never Occurred
Whiteflies were projected to have a widespread, devastating impact on fall vegetable crops in Georgia. But according to University of Georgia vegetable entomologist Stormy Sparks, that never happened. “We were setting up for an explosion of whiteflies in the fall and it never really occurred,” Sparks said. “I’m pleasantly surprised it wasn’t a lot worse than it was. In the …
University of Florida Citrus Faculty Highly Sought After As Research Partners in Fight Against Greening
(UF/IFAS) — University of Florida citrus researchers continue to be sought out as partners in ground-breaking research projects to fight Huanglongbing, also known as citrus greening disease. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), recently awarded nearly $4.5 million in grants to UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences faculty to find novel ways to fight the disease. But UF/IFAS researchers are serving leadership roles in four other multi-million-dollar grants awarded to colleague institutions from …
Georgia Congressmen Request Section 332 Investigation on Squash and Cucumbers
Congressmen Austin Scott, Sanford Bishop, Rick Allen and Buddy Carter continue to fight for Georgia produce farmers and against unfair trade practices with Mexico. In a letter sent to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, the congressmen requested that the current Section 332 investigation for strawberries and bell pepper be broadened to include the impact seasonal cucumber and squash imports has …
Syngenta Crop Protection Announces Launch of Spiropidion: A New Insecticide Active Ingredient
Spiropidion is an innovative new technology that can be used to protect a wide array of crops from some of the most damaging, and difficult to control, sucking pests Spiropidion is safe to pollinators and beneficial insects, providing farmers with an important new tool in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs, in line with Syngenta’s ongoing commitment to develop innovative and sustainable products …
Poarch Band of Creek Indians Partner with Sweet Grown Alabama
MONTGOMERY, Ala.— Sweet Grown Alabama, the state’s agricultural branding program, is pleased to welcome the Poarch Band of Creek Indians as a founding member of the non-profit organization. “I am excited to announce our support of Sweet Grown Alabama,” said Stephanie A. Bryan, Tribal Chair and CEO. “We are always looking for ways to support Alabama’s economy and this important …
UF Still Calculating Damages Following Eta
The University of Florida Food and Resource Economics Department estimates between $85 million and $320 million in agricultural losses and damages stemming from Tropical Storm Eta. Christa Court, assistant professor of regional economics, said the storm’s timing was significant since it impacted Florida’s vegetable crops two weeks before Thanksgiving. “I know that we grow a lot of the vegetables and …
Alabama Extension Offers Planting Tips for Fruit Trees
Soon it will be time to plant fruit trees in Alabama. Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University, reminds growers about basic planting tips they need to be mindful of when planting trees this winter. Variety Selection Variety selection is the most important and practical way to manage diseases and other …