Freeze Events ‘Bad Timing’ For Peaches

Jim Rogers Georgia

By Clint Thompson The impact on Georgia peaches from two March freeze events is still under review, though trees were negatively affected. There was no way they couldn’t have been, especially with the unseasonably warm temperatures in February. “It’s been bad as far as the cold. It’s not what we need, it’s what I was afraid was going to happen. …

Cold Weather Events Impact Early Peach Varieties

Jim Rogers Georgia

By Clint Thompson Two sub-freezing weather events in recent weeks have impacted Georgia’s peach crop. Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties, believes the early-maturing peaches were the varieties impacted the most by temperatures that dropped below 30 degrees Fahrenheit (F) in consecutive weeks. “It looks like our earlier stuff …

What to Expect? Pecan Beginners Class Scheduled for March 28

Jim Rogers Georgia

By Clint Thompson Interest in producing pecans in the Southeast has not waned; even with prices plummeting in recent years and input costs skyrocketing. Growers are still establishing orchards, and those interested in producing trees are signing up for the pecan beginner’s class, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist. “We still have a fair amount of …

Harvest Nears for Vidalia Onion Crop

Jim Rogers Georgia

By Clint Thompson Georgia’s Vidalia onion producers are getting closer to harvesting this year’s crop. Cliff Riner, Vidalia Onion Committee chairman, discussed the expected timeframe growers have in preparing to pick this year’s onions. “Most everything’s going to be the end of March and first of April to start. We’ll probably see a slight gap after the very first ones …

Legislation Passes for Georgia Citrus Commission

Jim Rogers Citrus, Georgia

By Clint Thompson Georgia citrus farmers and industry leaders scored a legislative victory on Monday when the state Senate overwhelmingly passed the proposal to start a Georgia Citrus Commission. The win for the industry will come when Gov. Brian Kemp signs it into law. The legislation states, “There shall be an Agricultural Commodity Commission for Citrus Fruits established on July …

Sen. Ossoff: Georgia Farmers Need Results

Jim Rogers Georgia

By Clint Thompson U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff (GA) is ensuring Georgia’s specialty crop producers have a voice in the ongoing Farm Bill discussions. Ossoff has been in Georgia this week, meeting with farmers and industry leaders, discussing their needs and what must be included in this year’s Farm Bill. He discussed the meetings he has had with growers in the …

Warm February Accelerates Vidalia Onion Production

Jim Rogers Georgia, Vidalia Onions

By Clint Thompson Vidalia onion plants are nearing harvest time. That timeframe was accelerated this year thanks to warmer temperatures in February. Chris Tyson, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension area onion agent, discussed the progression of this year’s crop. “Looking at the heat units, obviously, everybody knows that it was really warm in February and the heat unit model that …

Sen. Ossoff Working to Strengthen Georgia’s Fast-Growing Citrus Industry

Jim Rogers Georgia

Ochlocknee, Ga. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is launching a push to strengthen Georgia’s citrus industry. Ossoff is meeting with farmers and growers from key agricultural industries this week, as Congress continues to discuss this year’s Farm Bill, legislation that includes key programs, such as agricultural research, crop insurance, commodity pricing and more. Ossoff heard directly from citrus growers in …