Apples survived
By Chowning JohnsonUniversity of GeorgiaHurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne caused major damageto many crops in the Southeast. But they didn’t take a big biteout of north Georgia apples.The storms uprooted a few trees, said Eddie Ayers, the Universityof Georgia Extension Service coordinator in Fannin County. Butmost trees were unharmed. And most of the apples stayed on theirbranches.Gilmer and Fannin counties are north Georgia’s largest appleproducers, followed by Habersham, Hall and Rabun counties.Despite the weather, farmers in these counties are optimisticabout this fall’s crop. And they’re happy to have escaped thebrunt of the tropical storms.”Every year is unique in the fruit business, and farmers havedifferent challenges,” Ayers said. “But the farmers … have puttogether a good quality crop.”Apple timeApple harvesting began in late August, Ayers said. It’s expectedto continue until mid- to late November.”We’re just getting into harvesting the very popular varieties,”he said. “People really enjoy picking up Golden Delicious, Fuji,Granny Smith and others and taking a bite out of them.”With the top choices now in harvest, many people venture to thenorth Georgia mountains to enjoy the fall leaves, cool weatherand fresh apples. They shouldn’t have any problem, Ayers said,finding ripe, juicy apples to sink their teeth into.Some growers will let you pick your own apples. Others set uproadside stands full of fresh apples for sale. Freshly made appleturnovers, cider and other products only add to sightseeingshoppers’ seasonal sensations.(Chowning Johnson is a student writer with the University ofGeorgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. CAESnews editor John Harrell also contributed to this article.)
Georgia’s 2013 pecan crop was not as plentiful as farmers hoped for, and one University of Georgia expert says this year’s crop could be even worse — if history repeats itself.Steady rainfall and pecan scab disease decimated Georgia pecans this past season. Between June and September, the state incurred 30 inches of rain and 60 rainy days, according to UGA pecan specialist Lenny Wells. The end result was low pecan yields throughout Georgia. A similar weather pattern in 2003 led to a pecan crop of about 75 million pounds. A wet summer that year led to the state’s poor pecan production, which dropped dramatically the following year when Georgia produced just 45 million pounds.“Too much rain and disease is not just bad for the year it happens, it’s bad for the next year, too. All of that disease pressure, all of those cloudy conditions and some late-season pressure from some insect pests put a lot of stress on those trees at the wrong time,” Wells said. “That generally doesn’t bode too well for the following year.”Pecan orchards that produced decent yields with pretty good quality or no crop at all have good potential to rebound with a decent crop the next season, he said. Orchards that produced a pretty good crop until August and then endured a downward spiral are likely to field a poor crop next year. “With a perennial crop like pecans, management and environmental conditions often affect not only the current year but the following year as well, and sometimes even beyond that. Physiologically, our pecan trees determined what type of 2014 crop they will produce in August of last year,” Wells said.Stress put on the trees during that time of year, whether from crop load, insects, disease, or environmental conditions, will affect the next year’s crop, he said.Georgia farmers can be encouraged by the state yield numbers that indicate more than 60 million pounds of pecans will be produced in 2014. This is a little more than first predicted. Many growers are holding off on selling their pecans because of low prices. Wells estimates between 10 and 15 million more pounds are in storage.The boost in production can be credited to increased yields in areas above Highway 280 which runs through Crisp and Sumter Counties. South of that line, in areas like Tifton, Thomasville and Southeast Georgia, production struggled, due in large part to pecan scab pressure.The fungus that causes pecan scab attacks young leaves in the spring and shucks throughout the summer. If untreated, lead infections can defoliate the tree and nut shuck infections can reduce the crop and quality.“It was tougher to control scab in those areas because moisture just holds there naturally anyway, and there were so many frequent rains, it was difficult for (farmers) to get out there and spray, even though they knew they needed to. It was too wet or it was raining and they couldn’t get out there to do it,” Wells said. Cloudy conditions also made it difficult for the trees to fill out the crop.Disease and cloudy days also contributed to the pecans’ low quality, which led to a decrease in prices. According to Wells, Stuart variety pecans sold for $2.30 per pound when the season began, but dropped to $1.25 to $1.30 when the season ended. Wells noted that lower quality Stuarts dipped below $1.Farmers normally start spraying for scab in April and continue every two weeks, depending on rain and scab pressure. If drier conditions emerge over the upcoming months, farmers won’t spray as much.“I think everybody will be on their toes with their timing of that first spray,” Wells said.For more on pecan research at UGA, see the website caes.uga.edu/commodities/fruits/pecan.
The University of Georgia Peanut Team will provide Georgia producers a glimpse into the upcoming growing season when it hosts the UGA peanut production seminar at the annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference on Thursday, Jan. 18.The 42nd annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference will be held at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Georgia. The farm show opens at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m. UGA’s production seminar is set for 9-10:30 a.m.UGA scientists will emphasize the importance of disease, insect and weed management in peanuts. They will also discuss how to properly rotate peanut crops with other commodities like cotton, corn and soybeans.“This is a chance to discuss some things about the season that we just came out of and also give our farmers a heads up on what to look forward to,” said UGA Cooperative Extension peanut agronomist Scott Monfort. “This will give growers a start on what they need to be thinking about and where they need to be putting their efforts.”Last season, Georgia produced more peanuts than it has in 20 years, exceeding 828,000 acres. Monfort said that, based on early estimates, Georgia’s crop averaged approximately 4,400 pounds per acre in 2017.Peanuts are one of Georgia’s top commodities with a farm gate value of $685 million in 2015.For more information about the farm show, see http://bit.ly/2BLfws0.
Start your mountain adventure in St. Paul, Virginia, which is located right on the Clinch River, the top Bio Diverse River in the nation that offers easy paddling.Get out on the waterBring your own kayak or canoe to Clinch River Adventures to arrange a float trip on this wonderful river. If you are an angler, meet with Clinch Life Adventure to set up a guided fishing trip on the Clinch River.Visit Pathfinders Outfitter in Norton to rent kayaks and SUP for multiple rivers and lakes. The Pound River at Pound offers events for kayaking and stand up paddle, with 56 miles of great water. In Scott County, Dungannon and Duffield have access points ready for paddling. Visit the Russel Fork River near Haysi and Breaks Interstate Park. October weekends offer Class V rafting when the John Flannagan Reservoir is released. For complete lakes, rivers and fishing information visit their website.
2SHARESShareShareSharePrintMailGooglePinterestDiggRedditStumbleuponDeliciousBufferTumblr Over 45% of consumers’ banking behaviors have permanently changed in response to COVID-19*COVID-19 forced credit unions to re-assess and re-prioritize strategic plans for growing and protecting their institutions and members. Download Allied Solutions’ latest whitepaper, Credit Union Growth Strategies to Remain Competitive Beyond the Pandemic, to receive actionable strategies for overcoming these challenges now and into the future.Key takeaways from this piece include:COVID-19’s impact on credit unions and membersAdditional market challenges facing credit unions todayLong-term strategies to compete for member growthStrategies to mitigate lending risks and drive loan revenueDigital strategies to enhance member relations This post is currently collecting data… According to a survey by FIS: Marous, Jim. “How COVID-19 Has Changed Payments & Banking Behaviors Forever.” The Financial Brand, 26 June 2020 This is placeholder text 
The pop star looks back at her career, and the ‘overwhelming’ experience of Glastonbury, as she releases her 15th album.- Advertisement –
De Bruyne is a key figure for the Red Devils, who need a point against the second-placed side in Group A to advance to next summer’s finals in Brazil, despite being marginalised at Chelsea this term. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has left De Bruyne out of his squad in recent weeks and is demanding more from the player who impressed on loan at Werder Bremen last season. Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen, meanwhile, has urged Manchester United’s Brussels-born prospect Adnan Januzaj to decide to represent his country of birth, although he concedes the teenager must “follow his heart”. Januzaj’s international future has been the subject of widespread speculation in the wake of his stunning full debut for United at the weekend when his brace helped the Barclays Premier League champions fight back to defeat Sunderland 2-1. England manager Roy Hodgson has confirmed he is keeping an eye on the 18-year-old, who is of Kosovan descent and is eligible to play for several different countries, including Belgium, Albania and Turkey. Januzaj has yet to decide which country he wants to represent, but Vertonghen hopes he chooses Belgium, telling Sky Sports News: “Come and play for Belgium, good things are going to happen here. I hope he’s joining us. “I’ve seen the game (against Sunderland) and he looks a very good player. Of course it’s his choice, he has to follow his heart, but I can advise him that we have a good team here.” Earlier on Tuesday it was suggested the 22-year-old had sustained an ankle injury and was taken to hospital, making him doubtful for the Group A leaders’ match with Croatia on Friday. De Bruyne wrote on Twitter: “Just to say. I’m fully fit for the game against croatie. No injury at all.” Chelsea forward Kevin de Bruyne has dismissed reports of an injury sustained while on international duty with Belgium.
Press Association
He said: “This is a more stripped back and modern approach which still celebrates the club’s heritage and history by focusing on our famous and well-established tiger’s head. “We have also introduced ‘1904’ to the crest to document the year our club was formed. “Our first ever step into European competition is a new era for us all and we are all excited about the season ahead.” However, Allam junior’s comments have cut little ice with fans. The CTWD statement continued: “We also take issue with Ehab Allam’s claim that changing the badge ‘celebrates the club’s heritage and history’. “Over the past year, the current owners have demonstrated exactly what they think of Hull City’s heritage by their attempt to change its very name. “Season card holders have already remarked that their renewal forms did not bear the name of the club, nor is Hull City mentioned anywhere in this club statement. “CTWD maintains that the reason the badge is being changed is simply because it contains the words ‘Hull City AFC’. “It now appears, bizarrely, that the owners of Hull City do not want to use the name of the club because the FA refused them leave to change it. This is remarkable. “It also makes commercial nonsense. We fear that many supporters have already been put off renewing their season cards for the coming campaign due to the sudden price hike. “We are now very concerned about a further loss of revenue as people refuse to buy merchandise that does not show the name of the club. “CTWD calls on the Allams to reverse their decision to change the badge for the coming current season and to start treating the club’s supporters – its customers – with respect. “If the club wishes to introduce a new badge, let it do so in conjunction with, and not in spite of, its fans – the lifeblood of Hull City AFC.” The City Till We Die group, whose campaign to prevent owner Assem Allam from changing the club’s name from Hull City to Hull Tigers was vindicated when the Football Association rejected his application two months ago, spoke out after the development on Friday. Hull’s new crest features the traditional tiger’s head and the club’s foundation year of 1904 but does not include the words Hull City AFC or The Tigers. Hull fans have renewed their calls for consultation after the Tigers unveiled a new crest which does not include the club’s name. Now the fans’ group has called for a promise to consult supporters over the proposed rebranding to be honoured. A City Till We Die statement said: “CTWD is hugely disappointed that the club has chosen to introduce a new badge without any consultation with supporters, especially having promised that consultation would take place. “There is no reasonable rationale for changing a badge that has been proudly worn by Hull City players who, in its existence, have achieved four promotions, top-flight football and reached an FA Cup final. “(Vice-chairman) Ehab Allam states that due to time constraints ‘consultation with the fans about the new crest wasn’t possible’. This is, quite simply, untrue. “This redesign has not happened overnight. A supporter consultation could have easily, and quickly, been conducted if the club wanted it. “By not asking its loyal customers the club has reneged on a promise made in a statement on August 9 2013 that a ‘new badge, to be used from the 2014-15 season, will be designed and created in consultation with fans’.” Assem Allam has argued that the club will be more marketable as Hull Tigers, and has threatened to walk away if he does not get his way. He has suggested he will appeal against the FA’s decision. His son Ehab has insisted the new badge celebrates both the Tigers’ history and future as they prepare to head into a first ever European campaign. Press Association
Gordon Orlikow from Canada, Linda Hammersley from New Zealand, Brian Roe from Australia, Mirian Cristina Ermacora from Argentina, and Manuel Bravo from Ecuador.Garrigan advised that there will be a day before the congress so that they will be fully aware of their roles and responsibilities during the Congress.Share this:FacebookRedditTwitterPrintPinterestEmailWhatsAppSkypeLinkedInTumblrPocketTelegram The IAAF has appointed Chief Solomon Ogba as Chief Scrutineer for the 51st IAAF Congress holding in London, England, venue of the IAAF World Championships.A letter signed by Manager of Institutional Forums, in the Governance, Member & International Relations Department of the IAAF, Anne-Marie Garrigan, states that “It is a pleasure to inform you that during its meeting on 31st July 2017, the IAAF Council has nominated you as a Scrutineer during the upcoming 51st IAAF Congress on 3rd August 2017.â€While Ogba and Rosamunde Carey are appointed Chief Scrutineers, the others, who are Scrutineers, are Sarifa Fagilde from Mozambique, Kwan Kee from Hong Kong, Yoonis Yaqoob Issa Al Siyabi Timor Leste, Nijole Medvedeva from Lithuania, Jack Cohen from Israel,
JEFF SCHORFHEIDE/Herald photo)For University of Wisconsin junior guard Michael Flowers, No. 11 Wisconsin’s (8-1, 0-0 Big Ten) game at No. 17 Marquette (9-1, 0-0 Big East) is more than just the annual in-state rivalry.Flowers, a graduate of Madison La Follette, will be going head-to-head against his high school rival in Wesley Matthews, who went to Madison Memorial and is currently a starting guard for the Golden Eagles.”We kind of built that rivalry of Madison Memorial versus La Follette,” Flowers said. “It goes way back, and it’s nothing but respect [between] me and Matthews.”Many thought Matthews spurned UW when he decided to attend Marquette two years ago, not only because he is a Madison native, but also considering his family ties to UW.Matthews’ mother, Pam Moore, competed in both track and basketball at Wisconsin, while his father, Wes Matthews, was a standout guard for the Badgers from 1977 to 1980 and went on to play nine seasons in the NBA.Nevertheless, Matthews is settling in at Marquette during his sophomore campaign this season, averaging 12.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game through the Golden Eagles’ first 10 games.But it’s Matthews’ backcourt mate, sophomore Dominic James, who the Badgers will have to look out for.James, a preseason All-American candidate and last season’s Big East Rookie of the Year, leads Marquette with 17 points and 4.2 assists per game.And while Flowers may be matched up against Matthews to start the game, his defensive assignment may shift to James depending on how things shape out.”[I’ll be guarding] whoever’s hot,” Flowers said. “So if it’s James, he’s their leader, and if he gets off to a good start, they’ll throw me on him.”Whether Flowers is defending Matthews or James, it will be a test for the Badgers’ starting guards of Flowers and Kammron Taylor, whose goal before this season was to be among the elite backcourts in college basketball.”It’s going to be a good challenge for us, and [we’ll] definitely see where we’re at,” Flowers said. “A lot of people think Marquette has one of the best backcourts in the nation, so if we prove ourselves against them, we have our foot in the door to be one of the best.”Saturday’s rivalry goes much further than just Flowers and Matthews, however. UW sophomore forward Marcus Landry is married to Efueko Osagie, a senior forward on Marquette’s women’s basketball team, Badger junior Tanner Bronson’s mother is the Golden Eagles’ women’s tennis coach and former Wisconsin player Julian Swartz is currently a manager for Marquette.But the bottom line is state bragging rights are up for grabs.”It’s great for the state of Wisconsin,” UW senior forward Alando Tucker said. “Everybody’s looking forward to it, and we have a lot of players from Wisconsin, so whoever wins gets bragging rights.”And Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan has been a longtime advocate of games between state schools. Having previously coached at UW-Platteville and UW-Milwaukee, Ryan knows about the importance of in-state rivalries. In fact, Ryan is well-experienced when it comes to the UW-Madison-Marquette game.In his five years as head coach at Wisconsin, Ryan is 3-2 against Marquette and head coach Tom Crean. But Ryan knew about this rivalry a long time ago as he first came to Wisconsin in 1976 as an assistant coach for the Badgers before accepting the head coaching position at Platteville.”I’ve been about Wisconsin basketball since 1976,” Ryan said. “It’s all about Wisconsin basketball, and the fact that you have two teams that are ranked and everything else that goes into it, that’s pretty good stuff.”This year’s matchup will be Tucker’s fifth, as he played in the game his sophomore year despite later taking a medical redshirt. With this being his last go-around, Tucker is still astounded by just how competitive the rivalry has grown to be.”Being here five years and seeing how highly anticipated it is within the state, I think it makes the players go out there and play even harder,” Tucker said. “Once the game comes, you can tell, you can feel the pressure from everywhere with these in-state rivalries.”