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Peanut Maturity Testing

Aug 15, 2016 | Written by

It won’t be long before peanut harvesting will begin. Our office will be providing peanut hull scraping for any peanut grower. When bringing in a sample, we prefer vines to be brought in along with the peanuts so we can check the health of the vines.  When picking samples, take 5 or 6 adjacent plants from two or three spots in the field.  If the field changes soil types or has some dry land spots, then separate samples should be taken. A sample needs to have between 180-220 pods to show a good representation. Call the office if you have any questions.

pnutmaturity board

Citrus Rust Mites

Aug 9, 2016 | Written by

If you don’t know already, Lowndes County Extension has 2 research trials dealing with satsumas. There are also numerous growers in the county and surrounding counties that have satsumas. Jake Price coordinates and oversees the research trials. A pest to be looking for is the citrus rust mite. Below are pictures of the mite and the damage they cause. This mite can cause damage to the fruit in mid – summer and also in the fall. If you need more information about the mite and how to control it, you can look at the Florida Citrus Pest Management Guide.

citrus rust mite rustmite damage

 

Hog Show Ear Tags Are In

Aug 8, 2016 | Written by

It’s that time of the year for exhibitors to get their hogs for the Lowndes Area Market Hog Show. Tagging deadline for Lowndes County 4-H is September 14th. The show will be held November 1st at 5PM with the sale being November 2nd at 7PM.  If you do not have a child involved in showing, try and come out and support these exhibitors at the show. Feel free to call the office if you are interested in showing or need your hog tagged.

Posted in 4-H.

Vegetable Fumigant Testing

Aug 3, 2016 | Written by

Fall vegetable production is underway. I have seen some growers already setting out plants.We have been around the county this week checking fumigant levels.  If you would like your fields checked, give your local extension agent a call.

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Scouting Update

Jul 28, 2016 | Written by

Cotton:

Stink bugs are the main pest to be scouting for right now. Also be looking out for spider mites and whiteflies. These insects are important when deciding on an insecticide to spray. A good phone app to help with insecticide choice is the GA Cotton Insect Advisor App. Bacterial blight has been reported in some counties.

Peanuts: 

The main diseases to be looking out for are white mold and peanut rust.

Soybeans:

Below is a guide to soybean scouting that has ways to identify caterpillars in soybeans and also thresholds for foliage and pod feeders.

Please feel free to call the office with any questions.

soybean scouting guide

Time to Sample Pecan Foliage

Jul 21, 2016 | Written by

Now is the time to collect and send off pecan leaves for nutrient analysis. It is recommended to collect the samples from July 7th to August 7th. Below are the instructions on how to sample from the UGA Agricultural and Environmental Services Laboratories. While you are in the field, it may be a good idea to collect a soil sample also if one has not been done recently.

  • 1. Sample trees between July 7th and August 7th. Sampling can be extended into mid August without significantly affecting the results.
  • 2. Take one sample every 10 to 15 acres. If more than one soil type is present in the sampling area and if growth and production varies appreciably in these areas, take one sample from each soil type. Take samples at random using a zig-zag sampling pattern across the grove. When samples are taken annually, the pattern of sampling should be the same; better yet, samples should be taken from the same marked trees or rows.
  • 3. Collect 100 middle pair of leaflets from the middle leaf of this year’s growth.  Use terminal shoots exposed to the sun. Avoid twigs from the interior of the tree. Collect leaflets from all sides of the tree. Avoid leaflets damaged by insects and diseases.
  • 4. Sample trees of different varieties and different ages separately.
  • 5. Abnormal trees or trees not representative of the area should be sampled and sent separately. A complete and accurate description of abnormalities should accompany such samples.
  • 6. Immediately upon collection, wipe leaves (entire surface, both top and bottom) with a damp cellulose sponge or cheesecloth to remove dust and spray residue. Do not allow the leaves to come into contact with rubber or galvanized containers. Partially air dry and place in a large paper bag.

Egg Candling Class

Jul 12, 2016 | Written by

Georgia Department of Agriculture and Lowndes County Extension will be offering an egg candling class at the Lowndes County Extension Office on July 27, 2016.  The class will be held from 10 am to 3 pm. In the morning, there will be classroom instruction and a written exam. There will be a one hour lunch break. Lunch is not provided. In the afternoon, there will be a candling exercise. The cost is free. You will need a proof of residency affidavit notarized for the class. You can pick one up in advanced or one can be emailed. If you wait until the day of the class, arrive early to have it notarized. If any more questions or need an affidavit call 229-333-5185.

HERD Field Day

Jul 6, 2016 | Written by

There will be a HERD(Heifer Evaluation and Reproductive Development) Field Day on August 31st in Berrien County at the Alapaha Station. See attached flyer for more information. HERD Field Day Flyer

Journeyman Farmer Program

Jul 6, 2016 | Written by

UGA Extension is introducing a new program that provides training for beginning farmers. This program will be in three steps with the first being small farm business planning. Step two is vegetable production followed by hands-on production. Step one will be a four day training held in the mornings on August 16th, 18th, 23rd and 25th at the Dougherty County Extension Office. See the attached flyer for more details. Journeyman Farmer Flyer 2016

Welcome!

Jun 27, 2016 | Written by

Welcome to our Lowndes – Echols Ag News blog. We want to use this blog to share information about agriculture and events going on around us. You will be able to find information about production meetings and pest alerts.  We encourage you to subscribe to the blog so that you will get an email once a week to see what has been posted.  If you have any questions, feel free to call any of the agents in Lowndes (229-333-5185) or Echols (229-559-5562).