Crop and Soil Sciences
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C 1180
Fescue Toxicosis in Horses
Tall fescue is the primary cool season perennial forage grown in the state of Georgia, and toxicity issues related to the grass can have significant impacts on equine reproduction. Tall fescue is the most heat tolerant of the cool season grasses due to a fungus that grows within the plant called an endophyte. This endophyte produces ergot alkaloids that can have negative effects on animals that eat the infected forage. The toxic effects of the endophyte can be successfully managed by eliminating the grazing or feeding of toxic tall fescue, as described in this publication.
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An abundant supply of clean, safe drinking water is essential for human and animal health. Water from municipal or public water systems is treated and monitored to ensure that it is safe for human consumption. Many Georgia residents, especially in rural areas, rely on private water systems for human and livestock consumption. Most private water systems are supplied by wells. Water from wells in Georgia is generally safe for consumption without treatment. Some waters, however, may contain disease-causing organisms that make them unsafe to drink. Well waters may also contain large amounts of minerals, making them too “hard” for uses such as laundering, bathing or cooking. Some contaminants may cause human health hazards and others can stain clothing and fixtures, cause objectionable tastes and odors, or corrode pipes and other system components.
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Interest in organic food has been growing over the past twenty years. In Georgia, growing conditions during the summer are particularly difficult for organic producers due to high insect, disease, and weed pressure. However, pest pressures are much reduced when the weather cools. The moderate conditions of late fall to spring are ideal for production of many cool-season crops in the Southeast, including many crops that are traditionally grown as summer crops in other parts of the country. Shifting cash crop production to the fall through spring season may allow farmers to produce high-value crops more efficiently. This strategy may be particularly effective for those interested in wholesale production. This also leaves a window in the summer for cover crops that have many benefits. This bulletin discusses organic cool-season vegetable production and gives guidance for maintaining both soil health and successful production.
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With growing demands for potable (suitable for drinking) water (due to population increase) and expanding irrigated acreage, there is an increased pressure on irrigated farms to consider using nonpotable alternatives. However, low quality irrigation water can adversely affect soil physical conditions and crop production.
This publication provides in-depth information on the following aspects of agricultural irrigation water quality:
-Importance of irrigation water quality
-Major attributes of irrigation water quality
-Common units used
-Salts content
-Toxicity and their sources
-Bacteria in water sources|
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This publication summarizes the latest and most relevant information regarding the management of the bermudagrass stem maggot (BSM), including biological, cultural, physical and chemical mitigation strategies. In addition to information about how to control the pest, this bulletin provides detailed information about the history, identification, and biology of the bermudagrass stem maggot.
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Mechanical filtration removes suspended solids and dirt to greatly improve the clarity of water. Various kinds of mechanical filtration methods and devices are available for home water treatments. Primarily, the size of the suspended solids will determine the appropriate type of mechanical filtration device suitable for your unique situation. Consumers interested in filtration devices should discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various available options with a water treatment professional. This publication discusses the various aspects of mechanical filtration.
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Freeze protection efforts should be based on the type of freeze, temperature, and wind speed that is impacting your crop. To apply frost protection, consider your crop value, the freeze protection capacity of your system, and the crop’s susceptibility to injury at each growth stage.
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Measuring, monitoring, and managing forage requires producers to regularly measure how much forage mass is present and how quickly that forage is growing. By using a rising plate meter, producers can assess the forage mass across several pastures quickly and with reasonable accuracy. Then, by comparing available forage in individual paddocks from one week to another, producers can determine the growth rate of the forage. In periods of poor growing conditions, management can be deployed to increase growth rates. In periods of rapid growth rate, decisions can be made to alter grazing sequences or plans can be made to harvest excess forage for hay or baleage. In short, the rising plate meter helps producers to assess the current status of each pasture and then make better decisions to increase the efficient use of that forage.
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C 858-9
Corrosive or Scaling Water
Corrosiveness or scaling is an inherent property of some groundwater and is related to the type of rocks or sediments in contact with the groundwater. Corrosion is caused when water reacts with and dissolves metal plumbing. This can add toxic levels of metals like copper and lead to your water. Other problems associated with corrosive water include:
• Deterioration and damage to the plumbing
• Water damage caused by leaks
• Staining of laundry
• Bitter taste
• Staining of plumbing fixtures
Scaling occurs when water has high levels of minerals like calcium carbonate, which can build-up on surfaces. Slight scaling can be considered beneficial because the inside surfaces of metal pipes become coated with harmless minerals that act as a barrier to corrosion. Increased levels of scaling, however, can be harmful. Hot-water heaters are the most common place for scale formation in a home water system. Problems caused by scaling include:
• Reduced efficiency of the hot-water heater
• Reduced or blocked flow to fixtures or appliances
• Leaky valves
The degree of either corrosiveness or scaling can be predicted using a Saturation Index (SI). The following information contains a description of the SI, non-treatment strategies for reducing problems, and treatment methods to reduce the corrosion or scale caused by your water.|