|
|
| This Week's Titles: |
| North
Georgia County Helps Educate Poultry Producers |
|
|
Spring Is The Season For
Swarming Termites |
|
| Southwest
Georgia County Helps Unemployed |
|
| Using
Radio Waves To Improve Irrigation Effiicency |
|
| Plan
Revealed For Early Detection Of Bird Flu |
|
|
|
| North
Georgia County Helps Educate Poultry Producers |
1:37 |
A North Georgia County is keeping
poultry producers informed on several important issues concerning
the poultry industry. |
Poultry production is already
well established in North Georgia. But reports indicate the
poultry industry is continuing to grow in Georgia, and is spreading
South. Since 2002, Hall County has provided management training
for poultry producers. Billy Scaggs, a county extension agent
in Hall County says an important issue facing poultry producers
is nutrient management as it relates to poultry litter. "We
have to really watch our phosphorous levels and some of the
other nutrient levels in the soil, to make sure that we're using
this litter in an environmentally sound way. And I believe that
most producers are doing that and we're working hard to try
to help them to get their soil samples in and get their litter
samples in and have a working nutrient management plan." Billy
Scaggs with the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences. Producers also received training
on farm water quality and poultry house air quality and ventilation.
In 2005 the first Hall County Chicken Festival was held to educate
consumers and young people on the importance of the poultry
industry, as well as the benefits of a healthy diet that include
chicken products. Another festival is planned this year in April.
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.)
|
| |
 |
| Spring
Is The Season For Swarming Termites |
1:25 |
When spring arrives, a lot
of termites swarm into action. |
Many people look forward
to spring, which brings chirping birds and blooming flowers.
But the warm weather and spring is also the time for termites
to swarm. Dan Suiter, an entomologist with the University of
Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
says termite swarms mean male and female termites want to get
to know each other better. "What a swarm is is a population
of termites trying to expand their range, so when termites swarm,
those are male and female termites and they will mate with male
and female termites from other colonies that have swarmed on
the same day. Those termites mate and they start a new colony,
so if a homeowner experiences a swarm within their home it's
a pretty tell tale sign that they have a termite infestation."
Dan Suiter with the College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences. To reduce the chances of a termite problem in your
home, inspect your home closely every year. You can also have
the house inspected annually by a termite control company, and
find out from professionals if you have a termite problem. 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.)
|
| |
|
| Southwest
Georgia County Helps Unemployed |
1:39 |
A county in Southwest Georgia
is helping ease the shock for people who receive that dreaded
pink slip. |
Reports indicate losing
a job is one of the most stressful events a person can experience,
because it affects every family member. In Colquitt County,
a monthly workshop entitled "Surviving Tough Times" began several
years ago. Debbie Purvis, a county extension agent in Colquitt
County says the workshop provides information to individuals
and families dealing with reduced income, while seeking and
preparing for another job. The sessions are also positive, and
help ease the stress of dealing with unemployment. "We divide
them into groups and they have a chance to compete as a group,
and they seem to really enjoy the class a lot more now and they're
having fun but they're also learning. It tends to lighten the
subject a little bit but yet we definitely have serious moments
when we're going over the educational components related to
each answer." Debbie Purvis with the University of Georgia's
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Around 117
people in Colquitt County took part in the workshop in 2005.
At the end of the workshop, a knowledge test was given. Most
of the participants scored around ninety-five percent on the
test, indicating the program was effective. 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.)
|
| |
|
| Using
Radio Waves to Improve Irrigation Efficiency |
1:26 |
College scientists are using
radio waves to help farmers do a better job watering their crops. |
Radio Frequency Identification
has already provided many benefits. Some examples include helping
pet owners find lost pets, and retail super centers track their
supplies. About three years ago, scientists with the University
of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
began testing Radio Frequency Identification, to help farmers
improve irrigation efficiency. "And what we wanted to do was
develop a wireless system that was cheap, and efficient, and
very reliable. We have actually used it to schedule irrigation
in farmers fields and on university fields, and it has worked
very very well." That was George Vellidis with the College of
Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Sensors in a field
collect data like soil temperature and moisture. A farmer can
manually check each sensor, or have the data sent to a central
location. A central receiver could wirelessly receive the data.
When the data is received from the field, a farmer can use it
to decide when and how much water to apply. Once more research
and testing are done, the Radio Frequency Identification system
could become available commercially. 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.)
|
| |
|
| Plans
Revealed For Early Detection Of Bird Flu |
1:54 |
Work continues on plans for
early detection of Avian bird flu in the United States. |
The plan was revealed in
mid-March by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Department
of the Interior, and Department of Health and Human Services.
An important part of the plan is the early detection of the
Avian bird flu virus in migratory birds in the United States.
Judy Harrison, a food safety specialist with the University
of Georgia's College of Family and Consumer Sciences says detection
of the virus in migratory birds does not mean a human pandemic
will soon follow. "It hasn't become something that can spread
quickly or easily from person to person so, just because it
might be detected in migratory birds doesn't necessarily mean
that it's going to be the start of this pandemic. In order for
a pandemic to occur health experts say that the virus has to
mutate so that it can be easily spread from person to person
and that really has not happened at this point.' Judy Harrison
with the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. It is also
important for consumers not to worry about consuming chicken
and other poultry products. The university specialist stresses
properly handled poultry is safe to eat. Proper cooking to the
normal recommended cooking temperature for poultry meat easily
destroys the Avian flu virus. 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.)
|
| |
|
|
|
