Southeast Peach Growers Impacted By Cold Snap
April 7, 2015 Peach growers in Georgia and South Carolina are reporting loses following a cold snap, with temperatures hitting the mid-20s. Growers say most early-season varieties were hit the hardest.
Robert Dickey of Dickey Farms in Musella, GA, tells The Telegraph in Macon, GA, he lost 20% of his crop.
“We’ve got some limited damage, but overall we feel good about the crop. It was just one of those freak things.”
Jeff Cook of University of Georgia cooperative Extension said the difference with this cold snap was a lack of a breeze which could stop frost from forming. He told The Telegraph the total loss for Peach and Taylor counties was approximately 30%.
The Telegraph reports that Georgian growers are optimistic about this season. In the past few seasons, the proper chilling hours were not achieved, and this winter 1,100 hours were logged.
In South Carolina, Ron Edwards of Springs Farm of Fort Mill, SC, tells The Herald in Fort Mill, SC, he lost 40% of his crop. The majority of early-season varieties, especially Flavor Rich, were hit the hardest.
“The later stuff like Big Reds, they seem to have more fruit (on the trees),” he said.
The varieties Georgia Bell and Loring suffered significant loses – approximately 90% – at Peach Tree Farm in York, SC, says Ben Smith. Smith told The Herald he expects to get the majority of a full crop on his other varieties.
“We got burned pretty bad,” Arthur Black of Black’s Peaches in York, SC, tells The Herald.
He estimates he lost up to 75% of his crop.
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