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| This Week's Titles: |
| Raking
In Pine Straw Profits |
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Farmer Receives Award For
Tasty Beef |
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| Reducing
Problems In The Aquaculture Industry |
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| Farmers
Need To Take Part In An Important Census |
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| Long
Range Spring Outlook Is Warm And Dry |
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| Raking
In Pine Straw Profits |
1:46 |
A county in Southeast Georgia
is raking in profits with pine straw production. |
Timber is one of the leading
industries in Wayne County. But in recent years, market prices
for timber have gone down. So many landowners turned to pine
straw production in hopes of generating extra income. A series
of meetings were held in Wayne County that covered several important
areas of pine straw production. Mark Frye, a county extension
agent in Wayne County says one important topic covered was the
basics of selling pine straw. "The difference in selling pine
straw by the bale, by the lump sum, or contracts, and then more
specific things, rotation, management, going into the pine straw
industry." Mark Frye with the University of Georgia's College
of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Other topics covered
include sprayer design and calibration for applying herbicides
in timber, pine tree fertility, how and when to pull soil and
foliar samples for timber and pines straw operations. Since
Wayne County began its Forestry program in 2001, the number
of forested acres managed for pine straw production has grown
rapidly. Wayne County now ranks second in the state for pine
straw production, with a total of fifty-five thousand acres.
Pine straw production now rakes in around $5.5 million per year.
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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| Farmer
Receives Award For Tasty Beef |
1:37 |
After a lot of nibbling and
sampling, a Southwest Georgia farmer received an award that
was quite tasty |
The Flavor of Georgia contest
showcases food products made across the state. This year, the
contest drew 150 entries as diverse as organic sweet tea, a
sweet pepper dressing, and glazed peanuts. Once the sampling
and judging were complete, Will Harris from White Oak Pastures,
a farm near Blufton in Early County, was named the overall winner
of the second annual Flavor of Georgia food products contest.
The announcement was made March 18 in Atlanta. Sharon Kane,
a food business development specialist with the University of
Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
says Mr. Harris submitted a rib eye recipe from beef that is
certified humane by Humane Farm Animal Care. "White Oak Pastures
grass fed beef, which is a unique product that's designed and
humanely raised and fed on grasses that really meets the needs
for local food people and others." Sharon Kane with the College
of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, who adds Harris
won the grand prize, and also first place in the meat category.
Cooks and chefs that want more information, or how to enter
the 2009 Flavor of Georgia foods products contest can go to
the web site www.caed.uga.edu. 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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| Reducing
Problems In The Aquaculture Industry |
1:33 |
College scientists are making
a splash as they work to reduce problems in Georgia's aquaculture
industry. |
The aquaculture industry
involves working with catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill sunfish,
and freshwater shrimp. Working with fish involves more than
fifteen million dollars each year. Ten percent of that is used
to control diseases and water quality problems. Scientists with
the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences say the drought in 2007 has caused new problems to
develop. "The drought has caused a lot of bacterial diseases
in the fish, primarily because low water levels in ponds stress
the fish, and then they succumb to common bacterial or even
parasitical infections, but mostly bacterial." That was Gary
Burtle with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
The university scientist uses case studies and samples received
to address and diagnose aquatic problems, and recommend specific
treatments. Workshops were also conducted to educate county
extension agents, herbicide applicator, and private pond owners
about fish diseases, culture methods for catfish, sportfish
pond management, and aquatic weed control. 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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| Farmers
Need To Take Part In An Important Census |
1:54 |
Farmers in Georgia and the
Southeast need to take part in a census, and let their voice
be heard. |
The 2007 Census of Agriculture
was mailed out to Georgia farmers in late December. The first
deadline for filling out and returning the census was February
4. But the deadline has now been extended to June 1. So farmers
still have plenty of time to stand up and be counted by taking
part in the 2007 Census of Agriculture. Doug Kleweno, the state
director for Georgia Agricultural Statistics says farmers need
to take part in this census for several reasons. "Really the
voice for producers and agricultural community to really say
what's happening and how agriculture is changing down to the
local level meaning the county to the nation and the world as
far as what's the dynamics of the demographics, production changes,
and input and output costs for the agricultural sector." Doug
Kleweno with the U.S.D.A. who adds the Census of Agriculture
is taken every five years. He urges farmers to go ahead and
fill out the survey, and mail it in since farm activities increase
during the spring. All forms must be returned, even if some
people receiving a census is not directly involved in agriculture.
Growers can also take part in the 2007 Census of Agriculture
on line by going to www.agcensus.usda.gov. Once again, the new
deadline for taking part and returning the census is June 1.
Farmers that need more information, or another copy of the census
can call 1-800-253-4419. 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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| Long
Range Spring Outlook Is Warm And Dry |
1:43 |
Mother nature is expected to
turn up the heat, and turn down the water in the coming weeks
and months. |
Despite some much needed
winter rains, the drought is still alive and well in Georgia.
David Stooksbury, the state climatologist and professor of engineering
at the University of Georgia says the long range outlook for
spring is a high probability for above normal temperatures and
below normal rainfall. "Our outlook for the remainder of the
spring is a high probability of below normal rainfall and above
normal temperatures. Both of these will aggravate the drought.
So right now it looks as if conditions will slowly worsen into
the early summer, and right now my major concern is from June
through October, and many areas in the state may see drought
conditions similar or worse than last year." David Stooksbury
with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Stream and river flows are still near record low levels in North
Georgia, and on some rivers in South Georgia. As we move into
April, soil moisture is still below normal in North Georgia,
and near normal in South Georgia. But if warm, dry conditions
return this spring, soil moisture will evaporate rapidly in
South Georgia, and will soon drop below normal. 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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