Many shoppers are buying canola oil at grocery stores, because it's healthier. Most of the canola used to make the oil comes from Canada, but Georgia farmers could grow it here and keep the money at home. A year-and-a half-long economic study by the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences says that if Georgia had its own centrally located canola oil processing facility, farmers would have a new market a t a time when they need it most. A university scientist says farmers are expressing an interest in growing canola and other crops for oil. "We have nearly 100,000 acres of interest expressed in favor of the cooperative. It's going to require farmers commit close to 250,000 acres of total production in order to close this cooperative. So we're probably in the neighborhood of a third or a half-way close to closing this cooperative effort," (says) Randy Hudson with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. It is still not known whether the processing plant will become a reality. But many grocery shoppers are sending a signal that if Georgia farmers grow canola, process it and sell it, the shoppers will come. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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The new plant disease called day lily rust, was first identified in Georgia back in August 2000. The disease has also been found in Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, California, Texas and Mississippi. Jean Woodward, a plant pathologist with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, says day lily rust produces symptoms similar to another disease. "The disease actually causes sort of yellow spots on the leaves, and they're very small spots, and then on the back side of the leaves there are kind of orange, rusty, very powdery looking spores that are on the back side, and that's the fungus itself that's producing those spores. There is another disease called leaf streak that is much more common that also causes yellow leaves," (says) Jean Woodward with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Since the rust was quickly identified, it was quickly contained. So the only official cases of day lily rust have been in nurseries. So right now flower gardeners should not worry about this new disease taking over their day lilies, but they should be aware that day lily rust has been positively identified in the state. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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Farmers will need to put the gloves on and get ready for a tough fight to keep weeds from stealing nutrients and moisture those young corn plants need. Eric Prostko, an agronomist with the University of Georgia Extension Service, says Texas Panicum is still the toughest weed to control in corn fields. He adds it's important to get the upper hand on this and other weeds while they are small. "Identifying them early and trying to make my applications in a timely fashion and not waiting until the weeds get ten, twelve, eighteen inches tall before you think about doing something. It's much easier to kill a weed when it's two inches or less," (says) Eric Prostko with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, who adds there are several effective herbicide products that will provide good weed control of Texas Panicum and other weeds in early corn. But farmers must do their part by scouting fields closely, so you can provide the weeds a hard lick while they are still small. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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The rapidly rising costs of prescription drugs is an issue for many consumers, especially the elderly. But there may be hope for cutting costs by substituting less expensive generic drugs for name-brand products. The law in Georgia and many other states lets a pharmacist substitute generic drugs for name-brands. Michael Rupured, a financial management specialist with the University of Georgia Extension Service, says there are several requirements a generic drug must meet. "Yes, generic drugs by law must have the same active ingredients, the same strength and dosage form as the brand name counterpart," (says) Michael Rupured with the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. Before deciding to switch to generic drugs, talk to your doctor, and ask him to write prescriptions for generic drugs when possible. You should also talk to your pharmacist, who may know about a generic drug your doctor is not aware of. A pharmacist can also compare and evaluate generic, along with name brand drugs. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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While eating you need to put several metals in your mouth.

The latest recommendations on nutrition state we need to include foods with iron and zinc. Marilyn Wright, a nutrition specialist with the University of Georgia Extension Service, says iron is necessary for hemoglobin to carry oxygen to all parts of the body. A lack of iron could set the stage for several physical problems. "Young children who do not get enough iron in their diet do not learn as well in school, do not feel good, do not feel like playing any even. Adults who do not get enough iron in their diet may develop anemia and require treatment from the doctor or taking iron supplements," (says) Marilyn Wright with the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. The university scientist adds our bodies need zinc for tissue development, a healthy immune system, and for some genes to work properly. Not enough zinc in the diet could cause increased infections, slowed growth, hair loss and skin problems. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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