Pecan harvest season is winding down across the Southeast. Growers in Alabama and Georgia will soon be winterizing their irrigation systems. Cale Cloud, University of Georgia Grady County Extension agent, offered various tips that growers should consider when maintaining their irrigation systems during the winter months. Power units should be sealed to protect against various wildlife and moisture. Exclusion barriers …
Importance of Water for Pecan Growers Amid Current Dry Conditions
By Clint Thompson Hurricane Ian’s path around Georgia spared the state’s pecan producers from potentially devastating wind speeds. But it also failed to bring much needed moisture to a region desperately needing some rainfall. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan specialist, noted in the UGA Pecan Extension Blog that the current dry period could be detrimental to the …
UGA Research: Weed Control in Organics
By Clint Thompson University of Georgia research may have yielded a new way for growers to manage weeds in organic production. Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, is researching the effect of irrigation combined with different cultivation tactics to control weeds. He is studying shallow sub-surface drip tape placement for …
North Alabama: Rain Needed for Fall Plantings of Strawberries
By Clint Thompson The current drought impacting northern Alabama could impact fall plantings of strawberries if the dry weather lingers much longer. Eric Schavey, regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama, discusses the importance that rainfall could bring over the next couple of weeks. Unfortunately, it’s not an unfamiliar scenario for producers. “We’re getting ready for our fall planting of strawberries. …
August Make-or-Break Month for Pecans
By Clint Thompson August is the make-or-break month for pecan growers yearning to produce a crop this year and next season as well. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan specialist, discussed in Tuesday’s UGA Extension Pecan Blog various factors producers should consider. Irrigation applications should be at 100% by mid-August, which equates to between 3,600 and 4,000 gallons …
Irrigation Showcase: UGA-Griffin Breaks Ground on Site
By Ashley N Biles for CAES News Industry professionals, homeowners and researchers will soon get a firsthand look at new irrigation technologies in action at a demonstration irrigation site being constructed on the University of Georgia’s Griffin campus. On March 28, workers broke ground on the project, which is a collaboration between the UGA Center for Urban Agriculture, UGA Cooperative …
Conduct Irrigation Maintenance Now
By Clint Thompson Specialty crop producers should conduct any maintenance of their irrigation systems now before the upcoming spring planting season begins. It’s better to deal with any potential problems now than mid-season, says Wes Porter, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension precision agriculture and irrigation specialist. “Some of our vegetable guys may be irrigating now with their fall and …