Two unrelated topics below but I wanted to get them out today:
Tropical Storm Isaias
We’re all watching this storm as its scheduled to make landfall sometime early Sunday and we might see affects from this system that same day into next Monday.
From Pam Knox: Director of UGA Weather Network:
“NOAA’s National Hurricane Center has just started issuing advisories on Potential Tropical Storm 9, which is expected to become TS Isaias (pronounced ees-ah-EE-ahs) in the next couple of days. Currently the Florida Peninsula is in the 5-day cone for the storm, so it could progress into Georgia by early next week. Forecasts of both intensity and timing are very tough when you don’t even have a named storm yet, but parts of Georgia could see some impacts starting on Sunday night through the first part of next week. You will want to watch this one (and all the ones that are likely to come after it this active season) to make sure you are ready to deal with it. My best guess at this point is that the eastern counties of Georgia along the coast are most likely to be impacted and that it is more likely to bring some gusty winds and welcome rainfall than anything else. There is also a chance it could stay off the coast altogether and the only impact we’ll see is some high waves along the coast and no rain at all.”
From Dr. Bob Kemerait:
“Fortunately, winds should not be so strong as to damage crops, though any winds could increase chance of lodging in corn affected by disease or nematodes. However, winds, coupled with blowing rain, could help to disperse spores and bacteria, further spreading rust diseases and bacterial blight on cotton.
Anticipated rainfall, while likely modest, will increase likelihood of further development of diseases to include leaf spots on peanuts and cotton and white mold on peanut. Given the current probability of rain next week, growers may wish to time their fungicide applications so as to best protect their crop. This often means spraying ahead of the storm if their next spray date soon after the arrival of the storm.”
Unsolicited Seeds From China
Press Release from GDA, Mon. July 27, 2020:
“The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) has been notified that several Georgia residents have received unsolicited packages containing seeds that appear to have originated from China. Recipients are strongly advised not to open the packages or plant the seeds.
“At this time, we are not sure what the seeds are and therefore are urging everyone to be exceedingly vigilant,” Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black says. “If you have received one of these packages in the mail, please use extreme caution by not touching the contents and securing the package in a plastic bag.”
The types of seeds in the packages are unknown at this time and may be invasive plant species. The packages were sent by mail and may have Chinese writing on them.
Invasive species wreak havoc on the environment, displace or destroy native plants and insects and severely damage crops. Taking steps to prevent their introduction is the most effective method of reducing both the risk of invasive species infestations and the cost to control and mitigate those infestations.
Anyone who has received unsolicited seeds in the mail from China or any other country is encouraged to contact the GDA Seed Lab at 229-386-3145 or email SeedLab@agr.georgia.gov“
Link to the GDA press release: https://agr.georgia.gov/unsolicited-packages-of-seeds-from-china.aspx
If you have any questions, on the two topics discussed above, reach out to me at: 229-417-7062, thanks.
Best Wishes,
Joshua Grant