Those really big, sweet onions we like for onion rings and for burgers didn't grow as big as growers wanted, and time has just about run out for them to size up. University scientists say things started going bad for the crop back in December, when night after night of temperatures below freezing killed many of the small, baby onion plants. According to Reid Torrance, county Extension agent in Tattnal County, farmers will lose money because there's not as many of those large, jumbo Vidalia onions in many fields. "Well, a lot of what I've been seeing besides stand loss is just the total reduction in bulb size. This crop is going to go ahead and mature, regardless of the size of the bulb. We're looking at probably 56 percent jumbos in a lot of fields right now and we need to have eighty percent," (says) Reid Torrance with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Despite some rains in March, Torrance adds, the crop did not receive enough moisture. Many farmers are running their irrigation systems and hoping for more rain, hoping the water will help the smaller onions to grow bigger before time runs out. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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University scientists have been conducting research with azaleas, holly and other common ornamentals to improve their resistance, so they can win the war with insect pests. Kris Braman, a scientist with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, says several insects will have a hard time making a meal on these resistant plants and shrubs. "The spittle bugs, types of scale insects like wax scale, mites like the two spotted spider mite, azalea lace bugs, several others," (says) Kris Braman with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, who adds research is also underway to develop turf grass resistant to insect pests. So in the near future people will have turf grass in their lawns resistant to mole crickets, armyworms, grubs and other problem insects. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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Farmers decided to store or hold onto some of last year's cotton crop, hoping low market prices would put on their rally caps and start increasing. But the opposite happened, and prices fell to near record lows. As growers make preparations to plant their 2001 cotton crop, many are looking for the best way to market their leftover 2000 crop in a bearish market. Don Shurley, an agricultural economist with the University of Georgia Extension service, says making money on this stored cotton will be extremely tough. "As a result cotton producers still holding some of last year's crop, either the actual bales in storage or on paper, somehow have lost a really large amount of money. The outlook for the remainder of the 2000 crop marketing year is uncertain," (says) Don Shurley with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Farmers that still have some of their 2000 cotton crop in storage should take a hard look at their situation, and their options before they make a final decision, so they can reduce the chances of losing more money on this crop. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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For years doctors believed that the most important reading in your blood pressure was the lower, or diastolic, number. But a nutrition specialist with the University of Georgia Extension Service says research is now showing a higher upper, or systolic, number puts you at greater risk of heart disease and stroke. "But the concern is that doctors don't always treat people with only a high systolic pressure, so if only the top number is high often times they are not treating them and this may be increasing their risk of heart disease," (says) Janine Freeman with the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. Most doctors now treat people with blood pressure readings above 140/90, and above 130/80 for people with diabetes. The university scientist goes on to say everyone should try to keep their blood pressure around 120/80. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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Every year farmers fight a long, hard war trying to prevent Florida beggarweed, purple and yellow nutsedge and other weeds from taking over peanut fields and reducing yields. Eric Prostko, an agronomist with the University of Georgia Extension Service, says a new herbicide called Valor was recently labeled for use in peanuts. He adds this new product has several positive benefits. "It's been one of our most consistent products that we've ever seen on the control of Florida beggarweed, so that's a big plus for it. Another big plus for it is that it has minimal rotational restrictions," (says) Eric Prostko with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, who adds Valor should be applied after planting, but before peanuts emerge from the soil, since this is a pre-emergence herbicide product. The university scientist warns Valor could cause serious damage to young peanut plants if the herbicide is applied after they come out of the soil. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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