Author: Justin Ballew
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Field Update – 7/15/19
Coastal Region Zack Snipes reports, “Most crops are finished here in the Lowcountry. There are a few crops that are being harvested for the final time this week. Fall watermelon and tomato are in the ground already. I saw some interesting cucumber beetle larvae damage on watermelons this past week. This type of damage will…
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Alternaria Leaf Blight Common This Year
From Clemson Extension Plant Pathologist Tony Keinath. During the 2019 Cantaloupe Disease Survey, Alternaria leaf blight has been found in several fields. It was more common in fields that had not been sprayed recently than in fields sprayed on a regular schedule. It also was found in a field rotated only one year out of…
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Field Update – 7/8/19
Don’t forget to check out the “Upcoming Events” tab for events around the state. Coastal Region Zack Snipes reports, “It’s hot in the Lowcountry! We are just about finished on all summer crops. Bell peppers and rabbiteye blueberries should finish up this week. We are still picking some okra and hot peppers. Keep an eye out…
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Guide for New Required Paraquat Training
Paraquat (most commonly used as Gramoxone) will have a new label beginning as early as August 2019. The new label requires applicators to take a training every three years. Currently, the training is only available online. The link below is a PDF of a step-by-step tutorial made to guide someone through the online training. Paraquat…
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Field Update – 7/1/19
Coastal Region Zack Snipes reports, “Everyone is busy in the Low country harvesting summer crops. This should be a big week for us in the field and at local markets and roadside stands as July 4 approaches. The tomato crop is either finished or finishing up this week.” Midlands Justin Ballew reports, “It’s getting hot…
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Some Pesticides Now Approved for Hemp Production in SC
Yesterday (6/27/19) Clemson’s Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) released a list of pesticides they are now allowing for use in hemp production. A PDF including a letter from DPR and the list of approved products can be accessed here: Approved Hemp Pesticides. Please read the letter from DPR before using any chemicals on the list. Additionally, it…
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Field Update – 6/24/19
Coastal Region Zack Snipes reports, “Summer crops are looking good and we are continuing with harvests. It seems like every crop is coming in right now from basil to zucchini. We have had mild temperatures and just the right amount of rain. Midlands Justin Ballew reports, “We had a few storms last week that brought…
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Field Update – 6/17/19
Coastal Region Zack Snipes reports, “We received a good amount of rain last week. Some farms got just the right amount while others received 15 inches or more. I am seeing disease now that the rain has passed in all crops, especially the tomato and cucurbit crops. Keep on top of your spray programs to finish the…
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Field Update – 6/10/19
Statewide Dr. Tony Keinath reported downy mildew being found on cucumbers in Bamberg County this past week. He cautioned all cucumber, cantaloupe, and watermelon growers to begin preventative sprays, if they are not already doing so. Refer back to this post for more info. Coastal Region Zack Snipes reports, “We finally got some much needed…
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Common Predatory Mites Found to Prey on Thrips
From Clemson Entomology Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Monica Farfan Predatory mites, such as this Proprioseiopsis mexicanus, the most commonly collected predatory mite in watermelon fields in South Carolina, are first line of defense in the case of an outbreak of pests, such as spider mites and thrips (shown here). Since these mites supplement their diets with pollen…
The South Carolina Grower 