FARMERS & CONSUMERS Tommy /rv/n, Commissioner Georgia Department of Agriculture Market Bulletin Vol. 69, No. 24 Wednesday, June 15, 1983 WwdeM Snout Research Improves Ga.'s Tree Crops The Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Research Laboratory located in Byron, Georgia is an outstanding USDA laboratory. It conducts research on all aspects of produc- tion and protection of peaches, pecans, apples, nectarines and other fruit and nut crops of the southeast. The laboratory was founded many years ago so that a "team approach" with the many disciplines working together could be established and directed towards solving the problems that face both fruit and nut farmers. The laboratory's principle production goal is to increase yields while at the same time lower the cost of (Our guest columnist this week is Dr. J. Wendell Snow, Laboratory Director, Southern Region Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Research Laboratory, P. O. Box 87, Byron 31008.) production. Its primary protection goal is to reduce the level of pesticides used without sacrifice of pest control or quality of fruit and nuts. Its 17 scientists, working in six research areas, are involved in both applied and basic research. The station has a total of 1200 acres of which 480 are in pecans and about 160 are in peaches, plums, apples and nectarines. Over the years, the laboratory has developed many new peach, plum, nectarine and apple varieties and also has evaluated many potential pecan cultivars for the area. The laboratory has taken the lead in developing controls for diseases which include the short life complex peaches, gummosis, nematodes and pecan scab. The entomologists are well known for their research on the control of various insect and mite pests and (Continued on Page 12) Premium Bright Week In recognition of tobacco's importance to the state's economy, Governor Joe Frank Harris has proclaimed June 12-18 as "Premium Bright Week" in Georgia. Tobacco has played an important role in Georgia's economy since the colonial era. The crop continues to be a significant factor in the economy with the tobacco crop being valued at $189.5 million and the industry providing work for 46,000 Georgians. Georgia ranks fifth in the nation in tobacco production. The crop is Georgia's third largest export commodity contributing $115.5 million in exports. The production of high quality leaves is essential and is demanded by both domestic and foreign markets. The Premium Bright Campaign Committee has been organized to promote the production of high quality, fluecured tobacco. Georgia tobacco growers are unified in the official recognition of the group's slogan, "Do It Right . . . Grow Premium Bright." Georgia and the nation's dairymen won another round in court last week when a federal judge in South Carolina ordered the USDA to stop assessing dairymen 50 cents for every 100 pounds of milk they pro- duce. The court also ordered USDA to return nearly $24 million already collected. This is the third time the South Carolina Judge has blocked the fee, and USDA has again . ag consumer line . . . I have crimson clover growing on my garden spot. Will I decrease the value of the clover to the ground if I mow it with a riding mower before turning it under. S.I. Rossville The green manure value of this plant will not be affected by mowing or cutting before it is plowed or turned back into the soil. (Continued on Page 12) Horse Edition The special horse edition of the FARMERS AND CONSUMERS MARKET BULLETIN is scheduled for July 6. This issue will include notices for horse shows scheduled for July, August and September, as well as, at stud notices, boarding facilities, and miscellaneous equine equipment. If your organization has a show scheduled for July, August or September, submit your announcement, not to exceed 30 words, by June 22. If possible, include rain dates and a phone number where additional information may be obtained. Deadline for at stud, boarding and miscellaneous equine equipment is also June 22. Successful Peanut Crop Depends On Timely Management Practices Peanut planting is essentially complete across the state. Specialists say that virtually 99 percent of the crop is in the ground. They are anticipating a few more acres to be planted behind wheat. Georgia peanut growers are expected to increase peanut acreage by 20,000 acres this year, with a projected acreage of 495,000 acres, according to the Georgia Crop Reporting Service. This will be a four percent increase over 1982 acreage. Farm Day Features Fresh Ga. Products A variety of Georgia-grown farm products will be highlighted June 25 when the Georgia Department of Agriculture sponsors "Georgia Farm Day" at the Atlanta State Farmers' Market in Forest Park. Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin extends an invitation to everyone to bring their families to this event, which is free to the public. Exhibits featuring Georgia peaches, watermelons, Georgia sweet onions, eggs, peanuts, and milk will be displayed at the Market's southwest baseball field (next to Day's Inn) from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Exhibits sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, the Georgia Egg Commission, the Vidalia Onion Growers Association, Clayton County Extension Service (Continued on page 12) Despite current acreage expansion, Georgia is below historic peanut acreage, according to Dr. Ronald J. Henning, Extension agronomist, Tifton. In years past, growers have planted as many as 530,000 acres. Henning said, however, that current acreage should not increase until the present market is expanded. "If we make an average crop on our projected acreage, we will have produced enough peanuts above domestic quotas to fill the edible export market," he explained. Stands are fairly good across the peanut belt. "However, cool, dry weather experienced earlier combined with a terrible infestation of thrips migrating from wheat fields resulted in peanuts that haven't grown as fast as we would like to see," noted Henning. "Fortunately, we feel that this situation has been remedied with recent rainfall." Although yield projections for the 1983 peanut crop will not be released until August, final production figures will ultimately depend on moisture received at crucial periods. Anytime a peanut goes into prolonged drought stress is a critical time for moisture, according to Henning. "But the critical, critical time for moisture is 60 days after the peanuts have been planted." (Continued on Page 12) THE MARKET BULLETIN Wednesday, June 15,1983 we