Topics in This Newsletter
- Appling County Young Farmer / UGA Extension Pre-Planting Meeting
- Pre-Planting Reminders – Dr. Wes Porter
- Planting in Cool and Wet Soils – Dr. Bob Kemerait
- All About the Pod Recent Episodes – Dr. Scott Monfort
- New NWS Weather App – Pam Knox
- Appling County Extension Grower Services
Appling County Young Farmer / UGA Extension Pre-Planting Meeting
Appling County Young Farmers and Appling County Extension are hosting a Pre-Planting Meeting together on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at Turners Pond House. Dr. Wes Porter will be coming out and walking through setting up a planter hands-on with producers and dinner will follow the interactive demonstration. See the flyer below for more information.
Pre-Planting Reminders – Dr. Wes Porter
Planters are already running across much of the southern portion of the state, but ensure yourself before getting the planters out there by going through our planter checklist (https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C1231&title=row-crop-planter-checklist-tips-to-achieve-successful-stand-establishment) and it’s also time to check irrigation systems before they are needed. Here is a checklist for Center Pivot systems to share with your growers (https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=B1452&title=spring-center-pivot-and-lateral-irrigation-system-preparation
Planting in Cool and Wet Soils – Dr. Bob Kemerait
Rain fell throughout much of the night here in T-town and low temperatures will be in the 40s over the next few days. I know that growers are itching to start planting corn, but sometimes caution really is the better part of valor.
Planting our corn, peanuts, cotton, and soybeans into cool and wet soils increases chance for seed rot and seedling disease. The combination of cool and wet slows germination, slows vigorous growth, increases risk of fungal seed rot and of seedling disease. I know, growers need to take advantage of soil moisture when they have it, but not when cool temperatures threaten. As an example, cotton growers are strongly encouraged to plant only when soil temps will be 65F and above to reduce risk to seedling disease.
The planting season is upon us, there is no doubt. However weather and soil conditions should be factored into the equation when selecting the exact planting date. Also, planting date DOES impact risk to diseases other than seedling disease. Following Peanut Rx, planting date impacts risk to tomato spotted wilt, leaf spot, and white mold. Planting date in corn impacts risk to southern rust and tar spot (earlier planted corn is at lower risk). Earlier planting dates seem to reduce risk to “CLRDV induced bronze wilt” in cotton. Earlier planting dates reduce risk to soybean rust.
All About the Pod Podcast Recent Episodes – Dr. Scott Monfort
EPISODE 3, Season 3
In this episode, Dr. Scott Monfort talked peanuts with Dr. Wes Porter and David Hall. The team discussed the importance of center pivot maintenance during the winter months. For more information, please reach out to your local agent. Go to All About the Pod News for supplemental information referred to during the podcast at: Infield Inspection Checklist for Center Pivots | All About the Pod News
EPISODE 4, Season 3
In this episode, Dr. Scott Monfort talked peanuts with Dr. Mark Abney and Dr. Eric Prostko. The team discussed the results and feedback on survey questions asked during the Production Meetings. For more information, please reach out to your local agent. Go to All About the Pod News for supplemental information referred to during the podcast at Peanut Yields Since 1999 in Georgia | All About the Pod News
New weather app with forecasts right from the National Weather Service – Pam Knox
Those of you who know me know I do not have high regard for a lot of weather apps that are available for smartphones. They are called “crap apps” by meteorologists for a reason. The National Weather Service has been barred from producing an app of their own because they are not allowed to compete with private industry and private forecasting firms. But here is a new app written by a retired NWS employee named Cory Mottice that provides direct access to the NWS forecasts for the first time. For the moment it is only available for Apple phones, but I understand an Android version is coming soon. Several of my meteorologist friends have been beta-testers and say it is really good. Look for EverythingWeather in your Apple store now. I will update when the Android version is available. You can also read more about it at Forbes here.
Appling County Extension Grower Services
The SE District Extension Office recently acquired a Planter Insecticide Hopper Calibration Motor Unit that county ANR agents can use to assist producers with calibrating insecticide hoppers. The Appling County ANR Agent, Will Brown, will be offering this service this planting season and also has several other grower services that he will be offering as well and they are listed in the flyer below. Give the extension office a call if you are interested in any of these services.
