Crop and Soil Sciences
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B 1563
Oxidizing Filters
Private well waters often contain high levels of iron, manganese, and hydrogen-sulfide. While these contaminants are not considered to have any human health consequences, they can cause various issues such as staining, impaired taste, and odor problems once their concentration exceeds certain levels, and homeowners need an appropriate system to remove them—such as an oxidizing filter. Oxidizing filters operate using oxidation, which occurs when a substance comes into contact with oxygen or another oxidizing substance. Everyday examples of oxidation are rust and the brown color that develops on a cut apple. This publication discusses various aspects of oxidizing filtration technique such as applicability, types of filter media, maintenance, etc.
Gary L. Hawkins, Brenda Jackson, Pamela R. Turner, Uttam K. Saha, Laurel Dunn, and Laura Ney
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Irrigation systems are used by farmers and homeowners to supply supplemental
water to their crops. At the end of the growing season, the irrigation system should be checked and winterized to maintain proper operation for the coming season.This publication provides a list of suggested things that should by done on both drip and center pivot systems to help protect them during the winter months.
Gary L. Hawkins
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B 1567
How to Use a Grazing Stick
Grazing management requires accurate estimates of forage availability to adjust forage supply to meet animal needs. However, incorrect forage availability estimates can negatively impact important grazing-management decisions such as stocking rate and grazing time. Visually estimating pasture yield is inexpensive and fast, but untrained persons can give biased and unreliable estimates. One of the easiest, most affordable, and most reliable estimation options is using a grazing stick or pasture ruler. This publication outlines the procedures used for collecting data in field and calculating available forage for your farm. An additional author is Justin Burt, a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, University of Georgia Tifton Campus.
Lisa Baxter
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A good grazing management plan is essential to producer success for any grazing livestock production system. One of the keys to building a grazing management plan is to have a good understanding of the stocking rate on your farm and how this relates to forage availability. Stocking rate is a critical factor in all grazing operations, no matter the livestock species. By accurately determining stocking rate, understanding their grazing management options, and measuring forage availability producers can develop an effective grazing management plan for their operation. Additional author: Justin Burt, Postdoctoral Research Associate, UGA CAES Department of Crop and Soil Sciences
Steve Morgan, Jennifer J. Tucker, and Lisa Baxter
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Spinner-disc spreaders are commonly used for applying lime and fertilizer to
agricultural fields. Uniform and accurate application of lime and fertilizer is essential. The
performance failures of agricultural materials can be directly related to improper and uneven
application, careless equipment operation, and the separation of blended material due to size
and density differences. The uneven distribution of lime and fertilizer can reduce yields. Effects
of uneven lime or fertilizer distribution are most notable in fields that are low in soil fertility,
because the response to applied nutrients is greatest on these soils.
Proper setup and calibration of application equipment is important to assess its performance and
attain satisfactory results. Even new and well-maintained equipment needs calibration checks
regularly before and during the growing season. This is especially important when changing
from one type of material or blends to another, when changing application rates, and when
altering speeds or other operating conditions.Paul E. Sumner and Simerjeet Virk
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This biennial publication contains the proceedings of the turfgrass field day carried out at the UGA Griffin campus every other year. The guide provides professionals with continuous, real-time access to the latest up-to-date information about turfgrass research studies, products, and turfgrass Extension activities, programs, and outreach. Topics will include, but are not limited to: crop and soil science, agronomy, weed science, plant pathology, entomology, economics, tissue culture, urban agriculture, irrigation, and student posters.
Clint Waltz, David Jespersen, and Bochra Amina Bahri
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In 2010, the UGA cotton agronomists implemented this variety testing program. Our industry partners were asked to provide their most well-suited varieties for Georgia. Historically, the varieties evaluated in this trial have accounted for nearly 75% of the planted acreage in Georgia in the same year. These varieties were planted in replicated trials in growers’ fields throughout cotton-producing regions of Georgia, through coordination with the county Extension agents. The trials were managed and replicated by the grower with the assistance of the coordinating county agent to achieve realistic and statistically sound results.
R. Anthony Black, Wade B. Parker, Eric Elsner, Scott Rogers, and Camp Hand
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Storm water is the runoff from land and impervious areas such as paved streets, parking lots and building rooftops during rain events. It often contains pollutants such as nutrients, bacteria, sediment and metals that could adversely affect water quality.
Gary L. Hawkins
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Best Management Practices (BMPs) can be described as management and/or structural practices that are designed to reduce pollutants and erosion while increasing the quality of all life. The BMP concept deals specifically with nonpoint source pollution, such as runoff from agricultural fields, forest areas or urban areas. BMPs are also voluntary in nature. Individual practices and applications can vary widely from field to field. Best management practices are typically used in agricultural areas, and forest and urban settings.
Gary L. Hawkins and Rebekah Danielle Wallace
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