Author: Justin Ballew
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Question of the Week – Killdeer
Which common bird made it’s nest underneath this cucumber plant? These eggs were laid by a killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)who gets its name from their characteristic “kill-dee kill-dee” call heard as they fly over grassy fields. They should be a welcomed guest on farms since they eat mostly insects including beetles, caterpillars, and grasshoppers. Since their…
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Weekly Field Update – 5/6/24
Our Spring meeting season is winding down, but keep an eye on the Upcoming Events tab periodically so you don’t miss anything. Also, check out the latest episode of the SC Grower Exchange Podcast below. Don’t forget to look at our Resources tab for links to crop handbooks, helpful websites, and related blogs. Be sure…
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Clemson Farm Excel Account Book
Clemson Extension’s Agribusiness Team recently released a new tool for growers. The Clemson Farm Excel Account Book is a free tool that producers may use to track their revenues, expenses, and cash flow. Input farm transactions as you progress throughout the year. Coordinating with the farm bank account is an effective way to use the…
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Question of the Week – Periodical Cicada
What is this red-eyed creature found crawling up a pine tree? This is a periodical cicada nymph that has just crawled out of the soil after 13 years of feeding and developing underground, and is now looking for a place to molt. Parts of South Carolina, including the Upstate and parts of the Midlands, are…
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Weekly Field Update – 4/29/24
Our Spring meeting season is winding down, but keep an eye on the Upcoming Events tab periodically so you don’t miss anything. Also, check out the latest episode of the SC Grower Exchange Podcast below. Don’t forget to look at our Resources tab for links to crop handbooks, helpful websites, and related blogs. Be sure…
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Question of the Week – Brown Lacewing
What is this critter that was found resting on the wall inside of a garage? This is another beneficial insect: a brown lacewing. Brown lacewings are smaller than the more common green lacewings, though both are voracious predators of soft-bodied insects, particularly aphids, mealybugs, small caterpillars, and mites. Whereas green lacewings lay their eggs at…
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Weekly Field Update – 4/22/24
Our Spring meeting season is winding down, but keep an eye on the Upcoming Events tab periodically, so you don’t miss anything. Also, check out the latest episode of the SC Grower Exchange Podcast below. Don’t forget to look at our Resources tab for links to crop handbooks, helpful websites, and related blogs. Be sure…
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Question of the Week – Hover Fly Larva
What is this maggot-looking insect on the bottom of this strawberry leaf? This is a hover fly larva. Hover flies (Syrphidae), also called syrphid flies, are common bee-mimicking flies that are often seen hovering around flowers and landing on your sweaty skin on a hot day (they’re attracted to the salt in your sweat). Not…
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Deep Dive into Irrigation and Fertilizers
On the 15th of each month, a new podcast episode will drop that takes a deep dive into a timely topic. This month, Zack Snipes sat down with Gilbert Miller, Watermelon Extension Specialist, to discuss the ins and outs of irrigating and fertilizing vegetable crops. You don’t want to miss this episode. Find it under…
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Weekly Field Update – 4/15/24
Our Spring meeting season is winding down, but keep an eye on the Upcoming Events tab periodically, so you don’t miss anything. Check out Extension Vegetable Pathologist Tony Keinath’s latest article in Growing Produce: Choose Cover Crops that Suppress Pathogens in Your Vegetable Plantings. Also, check out the latest episode of the SC Grower Exchange…