Low market prices, along with constant worry about weather problems caused a lot of interest in row crop farming to dry up in Glascock County, Georgia. Many farmers began turning their attention to forestry as an alternative crop. But many of these growers had hardly any experience in working with pine trees, and faced forest management decisions for the first time. Clint Nalley, a county extension agent in Glascock County says growing pine trees on a farm is a challenge. "It's a challenging investment, one that takes a lot of time and, it also takes a knowledge of management practices as far as what your management goals are and the products that you wish to produce out of that stand." Clint Nalley with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. To educate new forest landowners, several counties in East Central Georgia held an educational Forestry Field Day. Around fifty five forest landowners from eight counties attended the field Day, to learn more about forest management and increase profits on their land. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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The Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus has taken a heavy toll on peanut yields during the nineties. In 1998 several farmers in Baker County, GA, changed from a single row pattern, to a double row pattern. This was one of the recommendations from the Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus Index, which was developed by scientists with the University of Georgia. Lanier Jordan, a County Extension Agent in Baker County, says two years later, farmers noticed significant improvements in peanut yields. "We dropped our acres, we went from 19,000 to 14,000 acres, but went to about ninety percent twin row planting in the year 2000. And our yields went up to 3400 pounds with very similar weather patterns." Lanier Jordan with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, who adds eight thousand acres were planted in twin rows, which gave a measurable increase of $480,000 in farm income. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton

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Several years ago farmers turned away from corn and jumped on the cotton bandwagon, because growers could make a profit. But recently cotton prices hit the skids and went down, and once again farmers were looking for a crop to provide cash flow. In Baker County, Georgia several farmers turned back to corn. Lanier Jordan, a county extension agent in Baker County, started working with a few farmers with corn production, and helped these growers improve yields, and make a profit. "Using the variety selections from the University of Georgia and intense soil sampling, attention to details in planting and fertility, we have increased yields, we've got farmers now that have grown corn since 1997 and they haven't averaged less than 200 bushels." Lanier Jordan with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, who adds all the corn was irrigated under center pivot, so adequate water could be applied. Farmers taking part in the test sold one-hundred dollars more corn per acre, resulting in an additional $1.2 million dollars in sales. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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Cotton farmers see it happen far too often. Hot, dry growing conditions burn away their efforts to produce a good crop. During the early nineties, scientists with the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences began working to find a way to locate the genes that make cotton plants use water efficiently. Steve Brown, an Agronomist with the University of Georgia Extension Service says the effects of drought in recent years helped motivate this study. "Without a doubt the most profound thing that influences yield is weather, good and bad. Even with irrigation drought and heat can seriously negatively influence yield." Steve Brown with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. The scientists assessed the amount and quality of cotton the plants produced with and without ample water. Finally, they used a complete molecular map that involves cotton genetics, to locate the genes that contribute to the plants' productivity and fiber quality. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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Spring and the 2002 growing season are still several months away. But an Engineer with the University of Georgia Extension Service says a new irrigation system takes time to plan out and install, which is why it's important to begin planning for a new system now. He adds certain parts to irrigation systems may be hard to find this year. "With the economy the way it is inventories are down therefore it's going to take a little bit longer to get an irrigation system so you're going to have to plan a little bit longer, it just doesn't occur overnight." Kerry Harrison with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Other factors must be considered. An ag use water permit must be obtained which can be time consuming. Available water sources, what type system, the specific size of a new irrigation system, and how many acres will be irrigated must also be taken into consideration before a final decision on a new irrigation system can be made. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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