By Clint Thompson
The Georgia Cotton Commission and Georgia Peanut Commission hosted their annual research field day with the University of Georgia (UGA) on Wednesday, Sept. 4. Both row crops were put under the spotlight at the different stops during the morning field day held on the UGA Tifton Campus.
Specialists, like Camp Hand, UGA Extension cotton agronomist, highlighted different factors pertaining to cotton and peanuts and the subsequent research being conducted with both crops.
“This is a big deal for the whole industry. We’ve got industry, county agents, administrators, government representatives; it’s good for these guys to see what their dollars are going towards in terms of funding research,” Hand said. “It’s a really good thing for everybody to get together. Of course, this field day is more unique in that it’s just sponsored by the cotton and peanut commissions. It’s a great opportunity for these guys.”
Peanut Pests
UGA Extension peanut entomologist Mark Abney discussed the emergence of a new root worm species and the impact of spider mites amid the current drought. He continues to emphasize the importance of scouting, up until two weeks before the start of harvest season.
“It’s been a buggy year all the way around. We’ve had a lot of caterpillar pressure. We had a lot of lesser cornstalk borer pressure,” Abney said. “Now it’s been dry, and the spider mites are starting to pick up. We just need to be careful, as growers, county agents and consultants, as we walk through fields, make sure we continue to walk fields and look.”
Pest management, disease control, variety testing, drought tolerance were all points of emphasis discussed during the event.