These new charts that monitor growth in infants and children were released in the year 2000, replacing growth charts that had been used since 1977. Marilyn Wright, a Nutrition Specialist with the University of Georgia Extension Service says the new charts include body mass index for age, which can be used to help identify and monitor normal growth, and find children that could become overweight. "So that between the doctor and the parents things can be done to prevent that overweight from being a problem later in life." Marilyn Wright with the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, who adds the new charts account for different growth rates of breast-fed infants compared to formula-fed infants during the first year of life. They also do a better job representing the diverse ethnic and economic make-up of the United States. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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Most of Georgia's hay fields received plenty of rainfall this past summer, allowing them to keep growing. So cattlemen had plenty of hay to bale and store up for winter feeding. But an Animal Scientist with the University of Georgia Extension Service says there's more good news when it comes to cottonseed and other feed sources for cattle. "Cottonseed is actually very very cheap this year. We also have many other by products available to producers in South Georgia, such as cotton gin trash, and also corn, and the other grain stuffs are actually priced very competitively with hay." That was Johnny Rossi with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. The university scientist goes on to say winter grazing pastures are also in good shape after a slow start because of dry fall weather. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture has set the national basic quota for this year at 582 million pounds, about 33 million pounds more than in 2001. J. Michael Moore, an Agronomist with the University of Georgia Extension Service says it appears there will be a six percent increase in the basic tobacco quota that can be grown in Georgia. But he quickly adds there won't be six percent more acres of tobacco grown or sold in Georgia this year. One reason is a lot of tobacco still in storage from 2001 that has not been sold, which will count as 2002 tobacco when it is finally sold. "We believe there could be as much as ten percent of a crop of last year's tobacco still stored on the farm and at tobacco warehouses. This tobacco can be carried forward and sold as 2002 crop." J. Michael Moore with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. The university scientist goes on to explain last year tobacco growers sold three percent more than the 2001 quota, so that three percent must come off this year's crop. So there's a good chance Georgia's 2002 crop will actually be less than last year's crop, despite a tobacco quota increase. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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The calendar wants to say there's plenty of time before spring and the planting season arrive. Many farmers are also concerned about progress on the farm bill in Washington. But an Agronomist with the University of Georgia Extension Service advises farmers to think positive, and begin making plans for the 2002 cotton crop. He adds there should be plenty of cotton varieties, including some new varieties to choose from this year. "The supplies and quality are very good this year. There are some new varieties that we've gained some experience with over the last two or three years, and their supplies are on the increase, too so we've got a lot more choices than we've had." Steve Brown with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences The university scientist adds farmers that have not collected soil samples should do so as soon as possible, to learn the specific fertilizer needs and the soil PH in fields where cotton will be planted in 2002. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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Peanut growers have many different ideas on what changes should be made to the peanut program under a new farm bill. But an Agricultural Economist with the University of Georgia Extension Service says when the next farm bill is passed, the peanut industry is facing major changes to the peanut program. New regulations will have to be written and learned by the industry. Entire communities will also feel the effects of the new farm bill. "The economic impact leaves the farm and goes throughout the marketing chain when you talk about peanuts or any other agricultural crop and that has affects that come back into the community, too through taxes and money that's generated from sales that's spent on household consumption items." That was Nathan Smith with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. During January, land and quota owners normally get their lease payments, but growers are unable to pay because of the delay in financing. Or, they don't want to commit because of the uncertainty of a new farm bill. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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