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Forages posts

Problems in Oats and Forages

Feb 25, 2016 | Written by

I’ve looked at some oats in our area and received calls about fields turning a red to purple color. Reddening in oats can be the result of several unrelated actions. In most cases, the color expression is due to a group of sugar free pigments called anthocyanidins. According to Dr. Dewey Lee, when there is an…
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Moldy Hay

Dec 4, 2015 | Written by

From Dr. Dennis Hancock, UGA Forage Specialist: Because of the wet fall, many producers have faced extremely difficult field curing conditions for their hay. Additionally, hay that was bone dry in the field has, in many cases, developed mold problems in the barn. This later issue has been problematic for…
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Southeastern Hay Contest

Sep 4, 2015 | Written by

Hay producers, be sure to submit a forage sample for the 2015 Southeastern Hay Contest. Samples must be at the lab in Athens by September 28, so have the samples to our office by September 21. Farmers can submit more than one sample. Cost is $17. Categories are: Warm season perennial,…
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Problems in Small Grains

Feb 24, 2015 | Written by

I’ve looked at numerous small grains exhibiting leaves and tillers that have yellowed and are showing red/purple damage. These symptoms can be caused by many things, including nutrient deficiency, cold injury, and disease. But some (not all) of these cases have been barley yellow dwarf virus (BYD). BYD is vectored by aphids. Below is…
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Crop Update

Jul 19, 2014 | Written by

Lesser Cornstalk Boer In Peanuts Lesser cornstalk borer (LCB) is a serious pest of peanut in Georgia, and we are seeing quite a bit of LCB activity. This pest thrives in hot, dry conditions and light sandy soils. Fields need to be scouted to determine if LCB is present. According…
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The Importance of Soil Fertility in Forages

Feb 13, 2014 | Written by

Most forage producers realize there are benefits of providing plant nutrients to their pastures, hayfields, and other cropland on an annual basis. Often times the fertilizer application is made without knowing what nutrients are currently in the soil. Fertilizer isn’t cheap, and a soil sample will help make the most…
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Biology and Management of Bermudagrass Stem Maggot

Sep 17, 2013 | Written by

  The bermudagrass stem maggot has become a pest for cattlemen and hay producers across the Southeast. If your bermudagrass hayfield has a frosted appearance (figure 1) in the middle of summer, it may have been damaged by this new, invasive pest. The damage is caused by the feeding of…
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