Animal Agriculture
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Did you know that the Georgia State Gamebird is the Northern bobwhite quail? Historically, our state was known as an excellent quail-hunting destination due to the large amount of quail habitat we had. Since the 1960’s, Georgia has seen significant decline in quail populations and the number of quail hunters, primarily due to the loss…
Posted in: Animal Agriculture -
January 14th officially closed out the 2023-2024 hunting season for deer, and as I write this on January 10th, I’ve not so much as seen one from my stand since Thanksgiving. While the hunting season might be over, its never too early to start thinking about what you might want to change or improve for…
Posted in: Animal Agriculture -
The behavior of deer and other wildlife can vary greatly from season to season. Last week, we discussed how pre-rut, peak-rut, and post-rut deer behavior are different, and what implications that can have for hunters. In the later part of deer season, most animals are looking for the best food sources possible, and the shortest…
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Last week, we discussed some of the challenges that feral swine have brought to the Southeastern U.S. and why the feral swine population has become such an issue. It’s clear that this nuisance species is not going anywhere, so what can we do about them? Unfortunately, control and management of feral swine is not an…
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After being away for work last week, I was in for a surprise when I checked my game cameras. It seemed like my deer population had grown significantly. Now, I’m quite fond of these deer, but they can pose problems for homeowners who cherish their gardens and landscapes. The issue is that these beautiful ornamental…
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I asked a friend recently, and he responded that clearly the egg came first, since reptiles existed before chickens and also lay eggs. Alas, the age-old question has a logical answer! I recently learned about Fitzgerald GA’s claim to fame—wild chickens and the wild chicken festival. This week, I thought I’d share a bit of…
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Our office does a lot of work with new and small-scale farmers interested in homesteading or enjoying a rural lifestyle. Depending on farm goals, size, and infrastructure, there are a few options for getting started with livestock. Two of the most popular livestock species for new or small-scale farmers are sheep and goats, what we…
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By: Robyn Stewart When I was in college at UGA, one of my favorite classes I took was called “Issues in Animal Agriculture.” The class, led by Dr. Jillian Fain, discussed some of the most commonly referenced conversations about current agricultural practices. We covered topics like product labeling, environmental stewardship, the use of growth hormones…
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By Robyn Stewart, ANR Agent If you were able to join the festivities the other week for Light Up Lincolnton, you may have gotten the chance to see my horse Webb and I carrying the 4-H flag in the Christmas parade. From the unfamiliar sights and sounds of fire engines, motorcycles, marching bands, and more,…
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By Robyn Stewart, ANR Agent Did you know that 88% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving? Over 230 million turkeys are produced in the U.S. every year, with 46 million turkeys eaten each Thanksgiving, 22 million on Christmas, and 19 million at Easter. America’s turkey industry plays a key role in feeding people across the…