Every year poultry producers must protect their chickens from Newcastle disease, avian influenza, and bronchitis. Vaccinations are available to control these diseases, but disease protection can be stressful to the birds. Since the late-‘90s, scientists with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences have been working to make vaccines available in soybean feed, so the birds can consume it while eating. The vaccines are contained in genetically engineered soybean feed. "So these are soybeans that have been genetically engineered to manufacture the vaccine in the feed so that when you grind up the seed and make it turn into chicken feed, the vaccine's already there." That was Wayne Parrott with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, who adds early results are encouraging, but much more research must be done to determine how much vaccine the genetically engineered soybeans are making before the meal is fed to the chickens. More tests must also be done in laboratories on these genetically engineered soybeans before they will be released. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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Most of us have encounter the wrath of fire ants, when we get too close to a mound. If a person is allergic to the stings, it could create a dangerous situation. Since the mid-‘90s scientists with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences found evidence fire ants are hurting loggerhead turtles, brown pelicans, quail, and alligators. The research found small holes in eggs that could be caused by fire ants chewing into the eggs. There is also a good chance young turtles in the shell were killed by the sting of fire ants, and others were killed after hatching. There is some added concern about losing young pelicans to fire ants. "Yeah the pelicans and some other shore birds that nest along the Georgia coast are all endangered species, and these birds are very susceptible to the fire ants because they nest on the ground, and on these little barrier islands there's not much protection for the birds," said Stan Diffie with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, who plans to conduct more research to learn how much damage fire ants can do in the quail's natural habitat. The research will be conducted at the University of Georgia's Wolf Creek Research Farm in South Georgia. John Harrell, University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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American children receive almost fifteen billion dollars a year in allowances, gifts, and wages. How they spend or save that money depends on what they're taught. Michael Rupered, a financial Management specialist with the University of Georgia Extension Service, says teaching children at an early age could prevent parents from having to bail them out of a financial mess later in life. He adds the home is the only place children can learn money management. "You don't see financial management taught in schools these days in most schools though there are exceptions, and for the most part kids are learning from their parents," said Michael Rupered with the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, who adds it's important for parents to set a good example when it comes to money management. So parents need to save regularly, shop wisely, and plan spending to meet family goals, so children will follow your example as they grow older. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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Most of the state's dairy farmers would like to forget the year 2000. Not only did they have to sweat their way through another drought, but producers also continue to face near record low market prices. But an agricultural economist with the University of Georgia Extension Service says dairy farmers did get some good news out of the nation's capital. "The recently passed Agricultural Appropriations Bill extends the dairy price support program, and it also contains $473 million in market loss payments for dairy farmers," said Bill Thomas with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences who doesn't see an upward turn in dairy market prices through early next year. Thomas goes on to say dairy farmers will probably not begin getting market loss payment checks until late this year, or early in 2001. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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Many people select a new heating/cooling system for their home during the fall, after the summer heat leaves, but before the winter chill arrives. Jorge Atiles, a housing specialist with the University of Georgia Extension Service, says cooling efficiency for air conditioners and heat pumps is indicated by a SEER, or a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio rating, which tells you how efficiently the unit uses electricity. There are also heating efficiency ratings to consider. "They will also find what is called an HSPF, which is the Heating, Seasonal Performance Factor, which is another way of showing efficiency in heat pump units. The higher the SEER or the HSPF rating, the less electricity the unit will use." That was Jorge Atiles with the College of Family and Consumer Science. If you plan to keep the same heating and cooling system, fall is also a good time to inspect the system and change the air filters. If repairs are needed, get help from a professional heating/cooling system technician. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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