By Katie Nichols For 60 years, Extension scientists taught the Scouting School in person and hands-on. But the 61st Cotton Scouting School is going digital — pushed to an online version because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The short course will be July 24 from 8 a.m. to noon via Zoom. Growers, consultants, scouts and others are encouraged to attend just as …
Whiteflies Not Yet on Alabama Farmers’ Radar
By Clint Thompson Whiteflies have already been reported in Georgia vegetables this spring. They are not currently on Alabama’s radar, however. Alabama Extension Entomologist Ron Smith said as cotton continues to be planted, the focus right now is managing grasshoppers and thrips. Their focus will turn to whiteflies in early July. “I knew they overwintered at some level over there …
Peanut Pest Alert: Don’t Let Thrips Sneak up on you
Here’s timely information from Dr. Ayanava Majumdar (Extension Professor), Kris Balkcom (Extension Specialist) and Dr. Scott Graham (Assistant Professor/Extension Specialist) from Auburn University. One of the earliest insect pests of peanuts includes the small flying insects called thrips. Thrips have bristly wings and can fly or ride the air currents over long distances. There are several species of thrips that …
Stink Bugs Already a Problem
By Clint Thompson Corn growers across the Southeast need to already be on the lookout for stink bugs, says Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist Katelyn Kesheimer. “I would caution growers to get their plans in place and start scouting early. We’ve already started seeing southern green stink bugs and stink bug nymphs down in southern Alabama. Adults are …
Spot and Get Rid of Spider Mites in Your Garden
Cathy Isom has a few great tips for you about how to spot and get rid of spider mites in your garden. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Spider mites are annoying little creatures that can seriously harm your garden and houseplants. Plus, they spread disease. Since they’re so hard to spot, the best way to check for …
UGA Entomologist: Thrips Are Our Most Consistent and Predictable Insect Pest of Cotton
By Clint Thompson University of Georgia Cooperative Extension cotton entomologist Phillip Roberts cautions growers about thrips as cotton planting season approaches. “Thrips are our most consistent and predictable insect pest of cotton, infesting nearly 100% of the cotton acres in Georgia every year. Thrips infestations, historically, have been higher on April or early May-planted cotton. More specifically, thrips infestations tend …
USDA Provides Florida $4 million for Agricultural Pest and Disease Protection
(USDA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is allocating $4 million to Florida as part of its effort to strengthen the nation’s infrastructure for pest detection and surveillance, identification, and threat mitigation, and to safeguard the U.S. nursery production system. Overall, USDA is providing almost $70 million in funding this year to support 386 projects in 48 states, The …
FMC Tackling Corn Earworms in Cotton
FMC wants cotton growers to know BT trait failure is an issue they have been discussing with entomologists, as corn earworms have become a concern. Matthew Wiggins, technical service manager for FMC, says Prevathon insect control offers very good contact. And Wiggins said scouting your crop after bloom will be important. For more information, contact your FMC representative or go to their …