Rains that fell across the state during early to mid March soaked parched timber stands across the state. The rain also reduced the wildfire threat, which will allow landowners to set a controlled burn. David Moorhhead, a forester with the University of Georgia Extension Service, says a controlled burn has several benefits. "Reductions of hazardous fuels in pine stands, control hardwood competition, sight preparation for improving appearance and accessability of many forest stands, and for a variety of wildlife management activities," (says) David Moorhead with the Warnell School of Forest Resources, who adds clear skies and steady winds that follow the passage of wet cold fronts this month have created ideal conditions for the flames of a controlled fire to do a good job burning away dead vegetation and limbs that have accumulated inside a forest stand. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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The latest outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease began in mid to late February. The disease is highly contagious and affects cattle, hogs, goats and other cloven footed livestock. Many cattlemen in the United States are worried the disease will eventually infect their livestock. Ronnie Silcox, an animal scientist with the University of Georgia Extension Service, says there has not been a case of foot-and-mouth disease in the U.S. since 1929. The main concern with this outbreak is the higher volume of people traveling back and forth from the U.S. to countries now experiencing foot-and-mouth Disease. "And I think the big concern about this outbreak is that it's in Europe and we have so much traffic back and fourth between the U.S. and Europe," (says) Ronnie Silcox with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. To Protect the United States from this latest outbreak of foot-and-mouth Disease, the USDA has banned imports of agricultural products from Europe that may transmit the disease. Security has also been heightened on travelers and cargo coming from Europe. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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Heavy rains the state received in March kept farmers out of the field and delayed planting. Despite the delays, farmers welcomed the rains with open arms after dealing with drought and dusty fields the past three years. Dewey Lee, an agronomist with the University of Georgia Extension Service, says higher corn market prices also has farmers smiling. "Simply because prices have risen a little bit over what they were last year, so obviously there's been good demand for corn, and we dipped into our stocks a little bit last year which has given us some reason," (says) Dewey Lee with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, who predicts farmers in Georgia will plant about the same amount of corn this year as they last year: around 350,000 acres. Despite delays caused by wet fields, corn farmers are smiling, thanks to recent rains and higher market prices. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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Corn seeds and young corn plants already in the ground have been drinking up this much needed rain we have received in March. Unfortunately, weed seeds have also been waiting for a good drink of water, and are now ready to make their appearance in corn fields. Eric Prostko, an agronomist with the University of Georgia Extension Service, says several weeds can sneak in on you if you don't keep a close watch. He adds a grassy weed difficult to control causes the most problems in most early corn fields. "One of our biggest weed problems is Texas Panicum, which is unfortunately one of the weeds that Atrazeen is not very effective on, but that's probably our most common weed that we have in corn," (says) Eric Prostko with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Other weeds that normally show up in corn fields include pigweed and morning glory. Farmers should get out and scout their corn fields as soon as conditions dry out, so weeds won't get a head start and reduce yields. The most effective way to control Texas Panicum is with a timely post emergence herbicide application. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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The new recommendations were released this past January by the National Academy of Science Institute of Medicine. Marilyn Wright, a nutrition specialist with the University of Georgia Extension Service, says the latest recommendations call for slightly less vitamin A. "One thing with vitamin A , we know that our liver stored very well, so the recommendation was made knowing that we store it very well to use so we don't need to get as much previously recommended," (says) Marilyn Wright with the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. The latest recommendations call for a slight increase in the amount of vitamin K we consume. The university scientist says vegetables including sweet potatoes, carrots, peppers and cantaloupes are rich sources of carotenoids that provide vitamin A value. Leafy vegetables such as spinach, turnip greens, cabbage and cale help supply the vitamin K we need. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences reporting from Tifton.

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