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| This Week's Titles: |
| Lady
Beetles Looking For Warm Homes |
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Developing Environmentally
Friendly Nematicides |
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| Cattle
Farmers Learn Benefits Of Ultrasound |
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| Poultry
Litter Helps Southeast Georgia Cattle Producers |
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| Sick
Landscape Cured At Small Town Hospital |
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| Lady
Beetles Looking For Warm Homes |
1:40 |
Some small insects think people
will treat them like ladies, and keep them warm and cozy in
their homes during the winter. |
Lady beetles are considered
beneficial insects, because they like to eat aphids, and other
insect pests. But these tiny orange colored insects with black
spots don't like cold weather. So they invite themselves into
peoples warm homes to get away from the winter chill. Nancy
Hinkle, an entomologist with the University of Georgia's College
of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences says lady beetles
can get into homes through small cracks and holes you may be
unaware of. "Any crack or crevice through the exterior wall
will allow these beetles to get indoors. That's why it's important
to seal up all cracks, crevices, pipe chases, openings through
which phone lines enter the home, to prevent these beetles from
getting indoors. If cold air can get inside, so can these beetles."
Nancy Hinkle with the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences. Some ways to remove these small
lady beetles from homes without killing them is to sweep them
up in a dust pan, or use a vacuum cleaner. Then take the beetles
outside and release them from the pan, or vacuum cleaner bag,
so they will live to eat away at more insect pests. 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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| Developing
Environmentally Friendly Nematicides |
1:34 |
College scientists are working
to develop effective nematicides that won't harm the environment |
Plant-parasitic nematodes
are found in many fields across the state. These organisms can
cause a lot of damage to crops, and cost farmers yields and
money. However there are not many effective nematicides on the
market, because of environmental concerns. Since the late nineties,
scientists with the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences have been testing several nematicides
that zeroes in on nematodes that attack plants. "It's friendlier
to the environment, it's more targeted towards just the nematodes
that we're trying to control, and it doesn't have a broad spectrum
effects on other animals and microbes in the soil and it's better
for human beings also." That was Jim Noe with the College of
Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. After collecting samples
from fields across the state, several specific nematodes were
identified. Later, several biorational nematicides were developed
that controlled each specific nematode. More testing must be
done, but scientists hope some of these nematicides will be
released in the future for commercial use. 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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| Cattle
Farmers Learn Benefits Of Ultrasound |
1:27 |
Some cattlemen in East Central
Georgia got to see how ultrasound can improve cattle production. |
Cattle production is one
of the leading agricultural commodities in McDuffie and surrounding
counties. Last year cattle farmers in McDuffie, Glascock, Warren,
and Columbia counties took part in a training session and demonstration
on ultrasound. Frank Watson, a county extension agent in McDuffie
County says a lot can be learned about a cow when ultrasound
is used. "It can be used to check certain carcass traits, muscle
size and fat thickness, so now it's expanded from not only the
reproductive things to do with the calf and all but also looking
at a carcass value." Frank Watson with the University of Georgia'
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. About sixty
cattlemen from McDuffie and surrounding counties took part in
this training and demonstration. Many producers stated the hands
on learning at a farm would help them become better managers,
since they could put the knowledge gained to work on their farms.
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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| Poultry
Litter Helps Southeast Georgia Cattle Producers |
1:46 |
Cattlemen in a Southeast Georgia
county are getting management help with poultry litter. |
Most of the soils in Southeast
Georgia are course and sandy. When organic matter is increased,
these soils improve their ability to hold water. In McIntosh
County, cattlemen have been looking for ways to reduce moisture
stress in their pastures, especially during drought years. Research
conducted by the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences has found applications of poultry
litter as a fertilizer can help sandy soils hold more water.
Using poultry litter also helps producers save money on their
fertilizer bills. "It really does. The value of it is at about
thirty-five dollars a ton, it is very economical and environmentally
friendly and so that's a good thing, especially when you match
up the numbers to supply the needs and you know exactly what
you've got to put out there." That was Ginger Boatright with
the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences. Soil samples were collected from cattle farms in McIntosh
County, and studied so the best management practices could be
developed for each farm. The nutrient management plan provided
the proper way to apply over one-thousand tons of poultry litter
in the county. This plan made sure excessive amounts were not
applied, and the environment was not harmed. Cattlemen were
also able to save a significant amount of money on their fertilizer
bills. 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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| Sick
Landscape Cured At Small Town Hospital |
1:35 |
A successful operation on the
outside of a small town hospital helped clean up and improve
the appearance of the landscape. |
What started out as a discussion
on tree selection turned into major surgery on the landscape
of Jasper Memorial Hospital in Monticello. A plan was developed
that would provide an attractive, useful, clean and green entrance
and landscape to the hospital. Master Gardeners, along with
experts with the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences also helped make the landscape safer
for visitors and patients at the hospital. "You know people
that were there at the hospital could enjoy and it would be
safe. Some of the things that were left in the landscape kind
of made sort of a safety hazzard that either were left in there
too long or weren't the right plant for the right place so,
there's a lot of things that the landscape plan design did."
That was Willie Chance with the University of Georgia's College
of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, who adds local nurseries
and plant suppliers provided discounts for plants and materials
needed for the landscape project. When the landscape operation
was complete, Jasper Memorial Hospital had a beautiful landscape
that patients, employees, and visitors felt good about. The
hospital also saved thousands of dollars, since the entire project
came in under budget. 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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