Episode Summary:

On Episode Six, Brennan and Robbie are joined by Dr. Leynar Leyton, UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Extension Specialist and Plant Breeder. This week, you will learn about the growing use of Perennial Peanut for ornamental horticulture uses in landscapes and right of ways. Up until recent years, Perennial Peanut has traditionally been know for its forage hay production ability. Perennial Peanut plant breeding and development has been working on Perennial Peanut for the green industry in the subtropical zones in USDA Hardiness Zones 8A-11. During the episode Dr. Leyton will discuss what Perennial Peanuts are, ornamental uses, current cultivars, and future research coming in the next few years.

Dr. Leyton's Faculty Profile: https://nfrec.ifas.ufl.edu/faculty-directory/leynar-leyton-naranjo/

Chapter Markers:

0:00 Cold Opening Intro

0:27 Ag in the Cab Podcast Intro

2:03 Brennan and Robbie's Opening Segment

9:18 Dr. Leynar Leyton Introduction

12:28 Discussion with Dr. Leynar Leyton on Ornamental Perennial Peanut

41:37 Closing Segment with Brennan and Robbie

Perennial Peanut Websites and Information:

UF/IFAS Extension Gardening Articles on Perennial Peanut

https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/perennial-peanut/

https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/orangeco/2020/11/13/perennial-peanut-an-ideal-groundcover-for-florida/

https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/HS1474

https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/AG358

Episode Summary:

On Episode Five, Brennan and Robbie are joined by Dr. Bod Kemerait, UGA Plant Pathologist for Agronomic Crops. This week, you will learn about nematode and disease management, taking steps to mitigate nematode and diseases for the 2025 planting season, and Dr. Kemerait’s international work teaching agriculture students around the world to improve productivity worldwide. A long episode with some extra information, but as always with Dr. Kemerait, it is packed full of a lot of great information!

Dr. Kemerait’s Faculty Profile: https://plantpath.caes.uga.edu/people/faculty/bob-kemerait.html

Chapter Markers:

Episode Summary:

On Episode Four, Brennan and Robbie are joined by Andrew Sawyer, UGA Extension Area Pecan Agent for Southeast Georgia. This week, you will learn about pecan production, pecan harvest, the differences between export and domestic markets for pecans, pecan scab and other diseases, and why it is pronounced pee-can and not pah-khan.

Andrew Sawyer’s Faculty Profile: https://extension.uga.edu/about/personnel-directory/person.html/14039/andrew-sawyer.html

Chapter Markers:

0:00 Cold Opening

0:26 Ag in the Cab Podcast Intro

1:57 Opening Segment with Brennan and Robbie discussing the fall weather.

5:21 Introduction of this week’s guest, Andrew Sawyer, UGA Area Pecan Agent for SE Georgia.

8:11 Andrew explains the history and the phonetically correct pronunciation of Pecan.

12:58 Andrew discusses the current state of the Georgia pecan harvest, and the loss Georgia has seen from Hurricane Helene.

14:35 Andrew discusses scab resistant varieties of pecan trees and what it takes for a pecan tree to be classified as a scab resistant variety.

19:28 Andrew discusses how small/medium size pecan orchards, as well as large commercial orchards, can transition orchards over to new varieties with whisping.

25:09 Andrew discusses what hedging is in pecan orchards and the value of hedging with increasing spray contact over the whole tree.

29:53 Andrew discusses how homeowners, backyard, and small orchards fungicides and rain can impact scab control.

32:23 Andrew discusses the topic of nostalgia and if 60 years ago pecan trees were better than pecan trees today, and why water supply and pollination is necessary for production.

35:50 Robbie and Andrew discuss the topic of how pecan trees have a physiological characteristic that create the lore that they are never fooled to bud before winter is gone.

37:15 Andrew discusses homeowner, backyard, and small orchard options for control of other insect and disease issues.

40:56 Andrew discusses how small and medium size pecan producers can improve profit for their orchard.

43:49 Robbie and Brennan’s closing segment, discussing their pecan stories and their upcoming Extension events.

47:23 Ag in the Cab Podcast Outro

Pecan Production Information:

Southeast Pecan Growers Handbook: https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=B1327&title=southeastern-pecan-growers-handbook

UGA Pecan Team Website: https://extension.uga.edu/topic-areas/fruit-vegetable-ornamentals-production/pecans.html

Backyard Pecan Orchard Guide: https://secure.caes.uga.edu/extension/publications/files/pdf/B%201348_5.PDF

Dr. Lenny Well’s book “Pecan: America’s Native Nut Tree”: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/68769356-pecan