News Stories - Page 438

Top agricultural scientists from across the United States met in Georgia this month to discuss ways to help farmers increase profits, optimize yields, decrease inputs and manage crops based on local weather and soil conditions.

Georgia’s drought kept mosquitoes, to a point, at bay. But an abundance of rain and warm weather has sparked dormant eggs to hatch. By the millions, adult mosquitoes are descending on Georgians all across the state.

Torrential rains have flooded fields and freezing temperatures have shocked plants, turning spring into a roller-coaster weather ride for Georgia farmers.

“Most of our water demand could be supplied by harvested rainwater,” said Frank Henning, a former watershed agent with UGA Cooperative Extension. “It would be a win-win-win development. Rainwater harvesting can improve water conservation, reduce storm water problems and reduce the need to construct expensive reservoirs.”

Mother Nature has blessed Georgia with an abundance of rain over the past month, leaving most areas drought-free. But all that moisture mixed with warm spring temperatures creates a perfect environment for landscape diseases.

Unpasteurized milk from cows, sheep or goats can carry dangerous bacteria that infect humans. People have contracted salmonella, E. coli, listeria and even rabies from consuming raw milk. It’s a risk people shouldn’t take, says a University of Georgia food specialist.

Women who want to increase their chances of giving birth to a girl should live closer to the equator, says a University of Georgia researcher, whose recent study sheds light on how temperature and day length can influence human reproduction.

A new technology that kills pathogens on food at home and in restaurants, grocery stores, beverage-manufacturing and food-processing facilities has been licensed to the maker of FIT Fruit and Vegetable Wash™. The licensing agreement between the University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc. and HealthPro Brands, Inc., FIT’s parent company, vastly extends the range of applications for the company’s current anti-microbial food wash.

Due to an abnormally dry January and February, drought conditions have returned to much of Georgia. And it could get worse.