UGA Extension Office

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Three River Blog

In the Field Now Posted by Jeff Cook on Jun 7, 2024
Here are some timely updates for growers as we try to continue and finish up planting for the 2024 growing season. Southern Corn Rust was confirmed in Decatur County a couple of days ago, but there is no need for us to panic. Southern corn rust (SCR) is a potentially devastating disease in southeastern corn. […]
GrassMaster’s Posted by Jeff Cook on Feb 12, 2024
Houston County Cooperative Extension is hosting the GrassMaster’s series in March. This is a 7 week series focusing on forage production in Georgia. Topics include: Introduction to Forages, Grazing Management, Hay Production, Forage Quality, Fertilization, Pest Management, Rainfall Simulation, Precision Ag in Forages. If you are interested contact the Houston County Extension office at 478-987-2028. […]
Flint EMC is Hosting an Ag Forum Posted by Jeff Cook on Feb 9, 2024
Flint Energies is inviting its agricultural members to its first-ever Agicultural Forum and Breakfast on March 13th, 2024 in Reynolds at the Co-op’s Headquarters. Doors open at 7:30 am for networking, with breakfast beginning at 8 am. Flint employees will cover the Co-op’s Load Management Program as well as Solar and Grant Opportunities. This opportunity […]

Peach Blog

Thrips: A Potentially Big Problem From this Tiny Insect Posted by Blaauw on May 24, 2024
Unfortunately, after a year of limited yield, yet minor pest activity, this season is already becoming an interesting one. I have had several reports of thrips causing considerable “silvering” damage (see example below). With the severity and extent of the damage we have seen in certain places, I just wanted to alert everyone to this […]
San Jose scale crawler management 2024 Posted by Blaauw on Apr 15, 2024
With the relatively cool spring weather we have been having, the first large peak of San Jose scale crawler activity is delayed this year compared to last year. Crawlers have already been observed this season and with the consistently warmer weather we have been having, the SJS development will speed up, so I anticipate the […]
Scale Management Update 2024 Posted by Blaauw on Feb 13, 2024
These above 50°F weather makes for a lovely day, but the scale insects enjoy it too, becoming developmentally active above 51°F. That means it is a good time to nip these guys in the bud. For delayed dormant timing, apply dormant horticultural oil at a rate of 1.5% oil to water. It is recommended to apply […]

Pecan Blog

Young Trees Crashing Posted by Andrew Sawyer on Jul 8, 2024
Since late May, I’ve seen a number of trees between the ages of 2nd and 4th leaf suddenly crash. The leaves remain on the tree after turning completely brown. All of this is during the dry and hot spell. It is essentially as if something is clogging the vascular system in which the leaves starve […]
Mid-Season Status of Georgia Pecan Crop Posted by Lenny Wells on Jun 26, 2024
Last week, the Tri-State Meeting estimated the current Georgia crop at 130 million lbs. I don’t know if that is wrong or right. It is nearly impossible to put a number on Georgia’s crop because the calibration of its size is in such a state of flux. We have acres of trees coming into and […]
Stem Phylloxera Posted by Andrew Sawyer on Jun 11, 2024
There has been a number of reports of a strange tissue growth on the stems of compound leaves and even around developing nutlet. There are three species of phylloxera on pecan. Most everyone is familiar with the species that causes warts on the leaves referred to as Leaf Phylloxera. Tiny, soft-body, aphid like insects feed […]

Strawberry Blog

2nd edition of the Southern Regional Strawberry Production Guide Posted by Phil Brannen on May 15, 2024
An updated Southern Regional Strawberry Production Guide has been provided by Mark Hoffman (NC State) and several other authors and editors. This is a good reference for strawberry production, and it can be found at the link below. A PDF will also be developed and should be available soon. This is a good reference for […]
Disease Update for Strawberries in Georgia Posted by Phil Brannen on Apr 20, 2024
Many strawberry sites are now suffering substantial plant mortality as the season progresses.  Losses are not uniform, and some sites look pretty good. But unfortunately, many do not.  If diseases continue to increase, this may be one of our worst production years ever.  However, I hope that producers can still pull out some profits. From […]
Early-Season Insect Damage Posted by Jeff Cook on Mar 6, 2024
In south Georgia growers have started picking and in middle Georgia ripe berries will be here soon. Growers need to be on the lookout for a few different insect pests as they walk their fields. So far this season, I have not heard of too many growers with spider mite problems. Early-season detection of mites […]