Friday, January 25, 2008

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.***

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

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!

Monday, January 14, 2008

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.


View Larger Map

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

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.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Landscapers' Update

FREE ADMISSION AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

10:00 – 11:00
“Landscape Irrigation Troubleshooting”
Kerry Harrison – UGA Extension Irrigation Engineer

11:00 – 11:20
“Drought Tolerant Trees & Shrubs for Southern Gardens”
Jake Price – UGA Lowndes County Extension Agent

11:20 – 11:40
“Basics of Xeriscaping”
R. J. Byrne – UGA Thomas County Extension Agent

11:40 – 12:10
“Drought Disaster Relief”
Suzanne Barnett – Area Director
VSU Small Business Development Center
(229) 245-3738
www.valdosta.edu/sbdc

THURSDAY - Jan 10th
10:00 – 12:30 p.m.
Thomas County Extension Office
227 West Jefferson Street – Thomasville, GA
(229) 225-4130
www.ugaextension.com/thomas/


Also, if you cannot make the Thursday Meeting, there will be another meeting in Valdosta on Wednesday, Jan 9th. Transportation may be available.
10:00 – 12:30 p.m.
Lowndes County Extension Office
2102 East Hill Avenue – Valdosta, GA
(229) 333-5185
www.ugaextension.com/lowndes/

A cooperative effort of Lowndes and Thomas County Extension and the VSU Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
Two hours of pesticides recertification credits in category 24, “Ornamentals and Turf” have been applied for. Two hours of recertification credits for a private pesticide license has been applied for as well.
Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the University of Georgia.
Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested in advance. For details, contact Rose Ware at the VSU SBDC Office: (229) 245-3738