“Orange is the new peach”

 

Here is a really interesting story about how citrus was brought back to Georgia as temperatures have increased over time. The crop was brought back by producers one by one, but is now growing rapidly as the climate becomes more suitable for citrus trees due to the rising temperatures. Citrus produced in Georgia can be sold as local produce, which gives them a market advantage in selling to consumers and schools. Citrus in Georgia are also somewhat protected (at least so far) from the citrus greening which has seriously affected Florida citrus groves. You can read the store at The Bitter Southerner at https://bittersoutherner.com/feature/2021/orange-is-the-new-peach.

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.