Private Pesticide Training - 02/18/2008 - 8:30 AM

Thomas County Extension will have a private pesticide training class coming up on February 18th, Monday, starting at 8:30 AM and should end around 11:00 AM.

If you need to renew your expired license, or apply for a new license, this class is meant for you.

Space is limited, so please reserve your spot by contacting the office at 229.225.4130 or email with the subject - Private Pesticide Test.

See you at the class,
R.J.

2008 TIFTON BEEF CATTLE SHORT COURSE

If you are interested in learning about current research and hearing updates from UGA's Beef Specialist, make plans to attend the 2008 TIFTON BEEF CATTLE SHORT COURSE.

Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Time: 9AM til 3PM

Location: Tifton Bull Evaluation Center

[The location is 12.5 miles east of I-75 (exit 78) and 1.5 miles
west of Irwinville on Georgia Highway 32.]

Download the registration form.

Questions: call the Thomas County Extension Office 229.225.4130 or email.

PROGRAM
Presiding: Johnny Rossi
9:00 AM Registration

9:30 Welcome ................ Johnny Rossi
9:45 Utilization of Whole Cottonseed in Beef Cattle Diets ......... Gary Hill
10:15 Grain on Grass Finishing of Beef Steers ................. Vanessa Corriher
10:45 Break
11:00 Bull Selection Tips ...................... Carole Brannen
11:30 Why Crossbreeding Works ............ Ronnie Silcox

12:00 Lunch

Presiding: Carole Brannen
1:00 PM Cattle Market Update and Outlook for 2008 ............ Curt Lacy
1:30 Producing High Quality Peanut Hay .................. Randy Franks
2:00 Utilizing Crop Residues ........... Johnny Rossi
2:30 Beef Industry Update ............ Jim Collins

3:00 Adjourn

***MAKE PLANS TO STAY OVER FOR THE TIFTON
PERFORMANCE TESTED BULL SALE ON MARCH 5.***

Horse Quiz Bowl

Three Horse Quiz Bowl Teams recently traveled to Rock Eagle to compete in the State Competition. Junior Team A and the Senior Team both placed third! Way to go!

Georgia Clean Day 2008: WASTE PESTICIDE COLLECTION PROGRAM

If you need to dispose of some pesticides that you are no longer using, then I suggest you check out the Georgia Clean Day 2008 in Bainbridge, GA.

It will be held at the Decatur County Fairgrounds on Wednesday, January 30th, 2008 from 9AM until 3PM.
YOU must pre-register by January 28th!!!!!

See this form here, visit the GA dept of Ag website, or drop by the office to pick up a form.


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Figuring out Cropland Cash Rental Rates

This time of year I get the most phone calls about land rental rates. I get them both from growers and landowners. With the news of higher commodity prices, landowners may want to capitalize on there investment. Growers may be thinking that the higher commodity prices might be offset by increased production costs and a reduction in government support payments.

There are several ways to figure out reasonable rental rates, according to Iowa State Ag Specialist Don Hofstrand found here. He suggests many methods are available to calculate reasonable cash rents, including

1.)what others are charging/paying,

2.)average yields,

3.)share of gross crop value,

4.)return on investment,

5.)crop share equivalent,

6.) and the tenant’s residual.

A fair rent is limited only by the creativity of the operator and landowner.

University of Georgia Extension Economist Dr. Cesar Escalante has done some work on surveying growers and landowners on cash rental rates. You can find his latest survey here on the extension economics website.