Most dairies currently in operation, as well as swine farms have lagoons, where waste products have accumulated and clogged the lagoons. In the past cleaning these lagoons has been difficult and expensive. But a new technique called Geotube Dewatering is being tested by scientists with the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences in Athens, Georgia. "Basically what it does is you pump the tube full of solids, or full of sludge, and the water can run out of the tube and the solids stay in and so it makes the material more solid and so the material can be hauled a longer distance." That was John Worley with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. The university scientist plans to conduct research and study results from tests on the new Geotube Dewatering technology in the coming weeks. If test results are satisfactory, dairy farmers with lagoons on their land could begin using the new technology in several months. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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Farmers that grow corn in Georgia should receive ballots in early March, so they can vote on the corn checkoff. To support the corn checkoff, which was established in 1996, farmers pay one cent per bushel of corn sold. Funds raised are used for corn research and education. During March farmers will vote whether or not to reaffirm the checkoff for corn. Dewey Lee, an Agronomist with the University of Georgia Extension Service says research on weed and insect control are supported by funds from the checkoff program. "Some funds have been used to look at improving pest management such as weed controls or, for example using new insecticide seed treatments that don't interact with herbicides, or even looking at post management control of stored grain insects such as the maize weevil." Dewey Lee with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Farmers have until March 30 to vote, and mail their ballot to the Georgia Department of Agriculture. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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Methyl bromide has been the standard fumigant for controlling soil pests for more than fifty years. But in 2005, the popular fumigant will be phased out because of its harmful effects on ozone depletion in the atmosphere. But scientists with the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences are working on a replacement. The research is not focusing on a new product, but several that are already registered. "Mainly because it is difficult or near impossible with the climate that's now at EPA to develop new products we've been looking basically at old products, to see how we can take older products that have been around, that are currently registered, they are already available and see how well they would plug in to take the place of methyl bromide." That was Alex Csinos with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Over a two year period, several alternatives were tested separately on major crops. More research and testing will have to be done, but results have been encouraging, and could lower farmers chemical bills. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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A nationwide survey of high school students indicates that our future leaders are not concerned about their own finances, and how to prepare for the future. Patrice Dollar, a Family Financial Management Specialist with the University of Georgia Extension Service says two thirds of high school seniors believe that financial issues do not have a strong impact on their lives. She adds some of the students assumed Uncle Sam would provide for their retirement. "Most of them didn't realize that they didn't need to save for their own retirement, but they expected the government to save for their retirement. And really the only retirement system that is in place is Social Security, and it is one that has been questioned quite a bit quite often in recent years." Patrice Dollar with the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. The university scientist goes on to say this is a serious issue that school systems need to address, since results from the survey indicate many high school students are not in touch with financial reality. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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Two blasts of arctic air in late February and early March sent temperatures plunging into the upper teens and lower twenties across peach growing counties in the state. Kathy Taylor, a scientist with the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences says peaches in South Georgia suffered the most damage. "Yes, South Georgia had about a sixty to seventy percent hit, depending on who you talk to. Their three earliest varieties were in full bloom, and that was the wrong stage for temperatures as low as we had." Kathy Taylor with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. In Central Georgia the damage was not as severe, and the university scientist adds the cold weather helped growers save money on labor expenses by thinning out blooms that will not be needed when peach trees begin putting on fruit. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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