Thomas County Ag

Join us at the Thomas County Public Library at 11:30 AM on Tuesday, October 31^st for a forest industry update.  We will discuss herbicide modes of action, pine species selection, and a hunting season update from Dr. Clabo and one of Georgia DNR’s Law Enforcement Officers. Lunch will be provided and is sponsored by The Wright Group. Credit hours will be offered for Pesticide License, Continuing Forestry Education (CFE), and Continuing Logger Education (CLE).  Please register (229.225.4130) by Thursday, October 26th to be counted for the sponsored meal.

Happy Labor Day! It’s that time of year again. To make sure that you have a representative sample get plants from at least 3 spots in the field. Then remove 180-200 pods from the plants. Don’t just pick off the larger pods, pick off small pods as well. If we pick off large pods, it can bias the sample toward digging early. There is enough data to show that we lose as much as yield if we dig a week early than a week late. If we dig a week late, there is no difference. We don’t see difference again until we dig 2 weeks too late. We still have to consider the condition of the vines so please take note of their condition as you pull off pods.

Researchers in the UGA Agricultural and Environmental Services Labs are conducting a three-year evaluation of nutrient status of Georgia Citrus trees. This study seeks to identify any common nutrient issues throughout the emerging citrus industry in Georgia, and provide educational materials based on the survey results. Funding for this survey was provided by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. During August 2023, citrus growers in Georgia can submit up to 10 foliar samples to the UGA Agricultural and Environmental Services Labs for analysis at no charge. Contact your local UGA Extension Office for a copy of the citrus nutrition survey sample submission form.

When: March 29, 2023 8AM – 3PM

Where: Tri County Gin – 561 Sinkhole Road, Douglas, GA 31535

Georgia Dept. of Agriculture Clean Day is a program that gives everyone an opportunity to discard old, unusable, or cancelled pesticides to a hazardous waste contractor for disposal. Pesticides in leaking containers or disposed of improperly may cause environmental damage by contaminating water supplies or harming people and wildlife. Some pesticides that have been used in the past are now in need of proper disposal. Participation in the Clean Day Program remains free of charge to all private and commercial applicators with the understanding that the event is designed / intended for farmers, lawn care, golf courses, and pest control companies. The Georgia Department of Agriculture we will be requiring pre-registration for the events. For more information about the event please contact your local extension agent, visit our website: https://agr.georgia.gov/georgia-clean-day or contact Rick Hayes coordinator for the event at ricky.hayes@agr.georgia.gov (Office: 404-656-4958) (Cell: 404-535-1614) or Ashley Smith, Coffee County CEA at (912)850-4059.

All canceled, suspended, unusable and unlabeled materials classified as pesticides may be turned in for collection. Please refer to the brief list below to determine what types of materials will or will not be accepted at the event. Please list all pesticides to be turned in on the pre-registration form in order to estimate types and volumes to be collected. Any pesticides without a brand name, trade name, or active ingredient on the label may require analysis to determine the contents. Please label all unidentifiable pesticides as “unknown” on the pre-registration form.

· PRE-REGISTRATION IS MANDATORY FOR PROGRAM PARTICIPATION. Visit our website for pre-registration forms. https://agr.georgia.gov/pesticide-waste-disposal-container-recycling
· ALL PESTICIDES BROUGHT TO THE COLLECTION SITE MUST BE LISTED ON THE PRE-REGISTRATION FORM.
· ITEMS NOT REGISTERED WILL BE REFUSED AT THE COLLECTION SITE.
· EMPTY CONTAINERS OR RINSATES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
· NO COMPRESSED GASES CAN BE ACCEPTED. (METHYL BROMIDE, CHLORPICRIN, VIKANE, ETC.).