Our Forestry Update that was previously scheduled for this Wednesday, October 10 has been canceled. Once we have set a new date for this meeting we will distribute that information. The new date will likely be this December.
Below are Dr. Kemerait’s comments on the weather conditions concerning row crops:
“There is the obvious damage that wind and rain will bring, especially to the cotton crop- lodging cotton and putting lint on the ground. For cotton not yet ready to pick, the weather could increase boll rot, though there is really nothing we can do about that.
For peanuts, the question is timing of digging. It is my opinion that if the vines and pegs are healthy and not too much defoliation from leaf spot or damage from white mold is present, then it is better to leave the peanuts in the ground and to dig them after the storm passes.
If the peanuts are severely affected by leaf spot disease (significant defoliation) or disease (white mold) and the potential for yield loss is severe if they must stay in the ground into next week, then I would consider digging them.
If the crop is already behind in being dug (past harvest maturity) or the soil is “heavy” and digging may be delayed considerably, then I would also think about digging them.
Where peanuts are two or more weeks away from projected digging date, growers should consider whether a final fungicide application for management of leaf spot is needed.”
Pam Knox, UGA CAES Agricultural Climateologist suggests following updates from the National Hurricane Center at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov. Wind is of the main concern and will reach speeds high enough to cause a lot of damage to crops, trees, and power lines. Isolated tornadoes could also occur. She also suggests moving livestock and equipment from low lying areas. Conditions are expected to be worse than Hermine in 2016 so if generators are needed they should be prepared for use. Power outages could last for several days.
Thomas County Ag 