University of Georgia
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

News Stories - Page 119

Over the course of February, swaths of northwest and southeast Georgia received as much as three or four inches more rainfall than normal, leaving some farm fields that have reached the planting milestone of 55 degrees Fahrenheit too wet to plant. CAES News
Over the course of February, swaths of northwest and southeast Georgia received as much as three or four inches more rainfall than normal, leaving some farm fields that have reached the planting milestone of 55 degrees Fahrenheit too wet to plant.
Soggy spring soil has farmers concerned
Overly wet weather in Georgia’s major row crop regions during February 2016 has farmers worried that soggy soil may delay corn and peanut planting or cause fungal diseases to be a major issue later this spring.
Mike Doyle, director of UGA Center for Food Safety, holds a bowl of spinach. CAES News
Mike Doyle, director of UGA Center for Food Safety, holds a bowl of spinach.
Healthier eating, better tracking results in more produce-related foodborne illness cases
Mike Doyle doesn’t eat raw bean sprouts, medium-rare hamburgers or bagged salads. He isn’t on a special diet, but as director of the University of Georgia Center for Food Safety in Griffin, Georgia, he studies the food pathogens that sicken thousands of Americans each year. For a time, foodborne illness was most often connected with undercooked meats; today, 33 percent of cases are tracked back to raw produce.
This is a file photo of a center pivot irrigation system being used. CAES News
This is a file photo of a center pivot irrigation system being used.
Time to get agricultural irrigation systems checked and fixed
Leaky pipes, flat tires and rodent-infested electrical boxes are issues that should be addressed now by farmers with irrigation systems, says University of Georgia Cooperative Extension precision agriculture and irrigation specialist Wes Porter.
Pictured is a cotton plant impacted by thrips damage. CAES News
Pictured is a cotton plant impacted by thrips damage.
UGA research shows at-plant insecticide for thrips in cotton key to preventing yield loss
In an effort to combat the threat of thrips infestations in cotton, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension cotton entomologist Phillip Roberts encourages Georgia growers to be proactive with insecticide application in planting this spring. Failure to apply an insecticide treatment at planting leaves cotton plants vulnerable to increased thrips pressure, which could impact growth.
Farming today isn't what it used to be. Today, new technology, like four-wheelers, various all-terrain vehicles and hydraulic farming equipment, has alleviated some of the backaches. They have also taken a lot of physical activity out of the daily tasks at hand, causing even country folk to be a little less active. CAES News
Farming today isn't what it used to be. Today, new technology, like four-wheelers, various all-terrain vehicles and hydraulic farming equipment, has alleviated some of the backaches. They have also taken a lot of physical activity out of the daily tasks at hand, causing even country folk to be a little less active.
Trading technology for labor makes a healthier farmer
If you grew up on a farm or currently live on a farm, you might not think of adding additional exercise to your routine, as many farm chores require physical activity. Whether you have a small farm, large farm or just a few acres, try to consciously change how you carry out some of your routine tasks in an effort to remain or get physically fit. Your health will improve over time as a result.
Pecans on the ground in an orchard on the University of Georgia Tifton campus. CAES News
Pecans on the ground in an orchard on the University of Georgia Tifton campus.
Upcoming pecan production workshop geared towards beginning farmers
In response to a growing number of pecan acreage across Georgia, the University of Georgia will be hosting a pecan production workshop for farmers just getting into the business. UGA Cooperative Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells wants to help growers get all of the information they need at the workshop, to be held Monday, April 11.
Southern corn rust appeared at least two weeks early in 2014 (5 June) than it did in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 or 2013. Appearing earlier means that this disease will likely be more problematic than in recent years. Corn that is approaching (or has passed) the tassel growth stage is worth protecting if the yield potential is there, according to UGA Extension agent Shane Curry. CAES News
Southern corn rust appeared at least two weeks early in 2014 (5 June) than it did in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 or 2013. Appearing earlier means that this disease will likely be more problematic than in recent years. Corn that is approaching (or has passed) the tassel growth stage is worth protecting if the yield potential is there, according to UGA Extension agent Shane Curry.
El Nino could interrupt Georgia corn planting
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension plant pathologist Bob Kemerait cautions Georgia corn farmers about the El Nino weather pattern that will likely interfere with planting this March. A delay would increase the likelihood of diseases too, so Kemerait advises growers to plant resistant varieties and be ready to apply fungicides earlier than normal.
Don Shurley, a cotton economist with the UGA Tifton Campus, talks about managing risk during a workshop on Feb. 25, 2016. CAES News
Don Shurley, a cotton economist with the UGA Tifton Campus, talks about managing risk during a workshop on Feb. 25, 2016.
Workshop educates farmers about building and sustaining a lasting farm
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension and the UGA Small Business Development Center came together on Thursday to offer a new business workshop for farmers in south Georgia. The conference provided a glimpse into the various components of a successful farming operation, including sessions on forecasting cash flow and getting your food product to the market.
A team of food industry experts and grocery buyers selected 33 products to compete in the final round of the University of Georgia's 2016 Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest. A record-breaking 135 products were entered into the contest this year in 11 categories. CAES News
A team of food industry experts and grocery buyers selected 33 products to compete in the final round of the University of Georgia's 2016 Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest. A record-breaking 135 products were entered into the contest this year in 11 categories.
Judges choose 33 finalists for UGA's 2016 Flavor of Georgia contest
Judges have selected 33 products to compete in the final round of the University of Georgia's 2016 Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest March 14-15 at the Georgia Railroad Freight Depot in Atlanta.