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| This Week's Titles: |
| Conservation
Tillage Increasing In South Georgia |
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Disease Causing Pathogens
Studied On Rivers |
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| Internal
Parasite Control In Sheep And Goats |
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| Licking
Mixing Bowls May Be Unhealthy |
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| Learning
Lessons From Hurricane Katrina |
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| Consevation
Tillage Increasing In South Georgia |
1:33 |
Conservation tillage continues
to spread across farms in South Georgia. |
In Tift, Turner, Irwin,
and Ben Hill Counties in South Georgia, conservation tillage
acreage increased from around fifteen-thousand in 1995, to over
thirty-nine thousand in 2004. Scott Utley, a county extension
agent in Turner County says conservation tillage requires less
trips across the field. This means farmers can save money on
their fuel bill. "The reasons being some fuel savings less trips
across the field. Also some programs that farmers can get involved
in that encourage conservation tillage have really pushed them
towards it." Scott Utley with the University of Georgia's College
of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Several field days
were also held that covered the benefits of conservation tillage,
as well as how global positioning systems and aerial imagery
can be applied to this technology. More than 430 people from
these four counties attended meetings held by the Upper Suwanee
Conservation Tillage Alliance, that promotes the benefits of
conservation tillage through education programs and demonstrations.
Plans are currently being made to hold a tri-state conference
on conservation tillage this coming February at the University
of Georgia's Tifton Conference Center. John Harrell, University
of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences,
reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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| Disease
Causing Pathogens Studied On Rivers |
1:30 |
University scientists are conducting
research on pathogens that cause certain diseases by focusing
on certain rivers in the state. |
Around the world, bacterial
contamination of water is the most common source of diarrhea-causing
pathogens, and may be the number one cause of childhood mortality.
In developed countries like the United States, certain pathogens
also cause a lot of people to get sick with diseases that affect
the digestive system. Scientists with the University of Georgia's
College of Public Health are looking at watershed contamination
near rivers and human exposure to this pathogen. "Right, we're
doing sort of a two-face study, we're looking at historical
trends and the disease in Georgia, this is where we're sort
of looking geographically where high case rates occur. After
we get that nailed down we're trying to go out into the field
and look for potential waterborne sources of contaminated water
in those areas." That was Erin Lipp with the College of Public
Health. Most of the research has been centered in Southeast
Georgia, along the Satilla River watershed. Another study will
soon begin on several rivers in South Central Georgia that form
the Suwanee River watershed, to do further studies on the potential
for waterborne transmission of disease causing pathogens. John
Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences, reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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| Internal
Parasite Control In Sheep And Goats |
1:42 |
A county in North Georgia is
working to help farmers control internal parasites in sheep
and goats. |
Reports indicate consumers
are increasing their taste for goat meat in Georgia and the
nation. Since the demand is growing, more farmers have goats
roaming and grazing on their farms. A higher number of farmers
are also raising sheep. There are also concerns about an increase
in sheep and goats getting sick because they swallowed feed
containing internal parasites. Later, these internal parasites
cause the animals to become anemic. Glen Blair, a county extension
agent in Walton County says controlling these parasites has
become a challenge. "One of the problems has been that we want
a quick fix and a cheap fix so we just give them a shot or dewormer.
Now we've overused these dewormers to the point where the worms
are becoming resistant to the wormers that are on the market
today." Glen Blair with the University of Georgia's College
of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. In Walton County,
a program developed in Africa was implemented. The program uses
an eye chart to compare the color of the lower eyelids of sheep
and goats to detect anemia. The program helps farmers avoid
treating animals with drugs that do not need them. The results
of this program was a reduction of treatments by over seventy-five
percent after six months, saving around $113 in dewormer costs.
John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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| Licking
Mixing Bowls May Be Unhealthy |
1:37 |
A common ritual many people
did as a child may be a health hazzard. |
Most of us remember begging
to lick the mixing bowl and beaters when our parents or grandparents
finished mixing a cake or cookie dough. But according to a recent
report, these uncooked products could contain pathogens that
cause salmonella. A recent outbreak of salmonella in Oregon,
Washington, Minnesota, Ohio, Michigan, and Arizona have been
associated with the consumption of a "Cake Batter" ice cream.
Martha Partridge, a county extension agent in Lincoln County
says the problem may be associated with raw eggs in these products.
"An unsafe practice, particular if you have products there such
as a raw egg. If there's evidence of the raw egg in a product
then you're running a risk. You should completely prepare things
according to the process or the actions that's recommended on
the product." Martha Partridge with the University of Georgia's
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, who adds
products such as "cookie dough" ice creams, and "cake mix" milk
shakes could also pose a serious food safety risk if they are
eaten before they are properly cooked. So when it comes to licking
a mixing bowl or beaters, it may be best to just say no. John
Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences, reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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| Learning
Lessons From Hurricane Katrina |
1:52 |
Georgian's should learn some
valuable lessons from Hurricane Katrina. |
Georgian's continue to
express shock and disbelief, when they see pictures and video
of the widespread destruction Hurricane Katrina left behind
on the Central Gulf Coast. David Stooksbury, the State Climatologist
and Professor of Engineering at the University of Georgia says
Georgian's can learn from the Hurricane Katrina disaster by
making sure they have an all hazzards kit. This kit should include
items needed to survive two weeks following a disaster. "First
and foremost, bottled water. Water is the one essential that
you have to really prepare for. Additional water will be needed
for bathing, flushing toilets, and food preparation. You would
want a NOAA weather radio so you are up to date on weather and
other emergencies, along with a battery operated radio for local
news and information." David Stooksbury with the College of
Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. An all hazzards kit
should also include flashlights and plenty of batteries for
flashlights, radios, and other battery powered lights. Also,
make sure you have plenty of cash, since ATM machines will be
out of service due to power outages. And remember to include
copies of important papers and documents in this kit. These
include insurance, car titles, deeds, social security cards,
and wills. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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