FARMERS & CONSUMERS Tommy Irvin, Commissioner Georgia Department of Agriculture Market Bulletin VOL 68, NO. 24 Wednesday, June 16, 1982 To VuuoM Soil Analysis Vital Service One of the most popular and im portant dimensions of the University of Georgia Extension Service is its soil testing and plant analysis pro gram. This program provides ana lytical services for soils, plants, feeds and water samp les. Approximate ly 140,000 soil samples and 12,000 plant tissue samples were analyzed in 1981. A cotton petiole monitoring pro gram for cotton growers provides the grower the capability of monitoring the cotton plant during the growing Our guest columnist this week is Tal C. DuVali, Director, Cooperative Exten sion Service, University of Georgia, Athens 30602.) season on a weekly basis to insure proper nitrogen fertilization and op timum bloom and boll set. This busy laboratory also offers a comprehensive analytical capability for livestock feeds. County agents and Extension dairy, beef and swine specialists regularly depend upon this service to assist them in the iden tification of feed problems and in the formulation of feed ration recom mendations. The laboratory also processes over 1300 feed samples annually for "proximate" analysis including crude fiber, protein, moisture, phosphorus, calcium and fat. The monitoring of feed and forage samples for nitrate content duirng drought periods has saved Georgia farmers thousands of dollars in potentially lost animals. A water analysis program to monitor nutrients for fish farming and irrigation water also is offered to Georgia farmers. Over 400 such samples were processed last year. Even though Georgia farmers and homeowners are the principal users of this Extension laboratory, it also provides extensive services for researchers of universities located (Continued on Page 15) Horse Edition The special horse edition of the Market Bulletin is coming July 7. This issue will include notices for horse shows scheduled for July, August and September as well as at stud notices, boar ding facilities and miscellaneous equine equip ment. If your organization has a show scheduled for July, August or September, submit your announcement, not to exceed 30 words, by June 23. Deadline for at stud, boar ding and miscellaneous equine equipment is also June 23. Sunbelt Field Day Features Irrigation The Sunbelt Agricultural Exposi tion Field Day is scheduled for July at Spence Field near Moultrie. The event begins at 9 a.m. and con tinues through 3 p.m. Field day ac tivities will include a structured mor ning tour of the 10 acres of test plots and five acres of low volume irriga tion crops, a free dinner "on the grounds", and an open afternoon for tours of the 600 acres of irrigated cropland. For additional information concer ning the field day, contact the Sunbelt Office at 912-386-3459. Keep It In The Pantry Delicious Farm-Fresh Milk Lasts Longers and Doesn't Spoil The convenience of farm-fresh milk has long been restrained by its need for refrigeration. However, the development of a unique combination of pro cessing and packaging has resulted in milk that requires no refrigeration. Contest Spotlights Top Young Farmers The search is on for the 1982-83 outstanding young farmer. The con test, sponsored by Jaycee clubs throughout the United States, spotlights young men who have achieved success and leadership in the farming industry. Each Jaycee chapter submits their most outstanding young farmer from which the most outstanding young farmer for Georgia is chosen. The criteria of the outstanding young farmer includes progress in agricultural career, extent of soil and water conservation practices and contributions to the well-being of the community, state and nation. To qualify, nominees must be 18 through 35, not becoming 36 before January, 1983, and be actual farm operators deriving a minimum of 2/3 of their income from farming. For information on participating in this program, contact your local Jaycee office or Cameron Smoak at 404/656-3600 in Atlanta. The innovative dairy product, known generically as ultra high temperature milk (UHT), can be stored on the pantry shelf for up to three months. UHT milk has no preservatives or artificial additives. The product is ordinary, Grade "A" milk fresh from the farm which is flash heated to 280F and quickly cooled to 70F. (Refrigerated milk is pasteurized at 161F, held a few seconds, then cool ed to 34F). This process retains the milk's natural high quality, flavor and essential nutrients. Unlike refrigerated milk, which is currently packaged in plastic jugs and waxcoated cartons, UHT milk will be available in special half pint and quart containers. The asceptic (free from microorganisms) con tainer is made of five layers of plastic, aluminum foil and paper. This unique package seals out light and air which normally reduces shelf life. Once the package is open ed, UHT milk requires refrigeration to maintain maximum freshness. Although it does not need refrigeration, the temperature of UHT milk cannot be ignored. If the product is allowed to get too hot (higher than 70-80F), the quality and flavor may be affected. (Continued on Page 16) Experts from throughout the nation participated in the National Im ported Fire Ant Symposium held recently in Atlanta. Darrell Clark, left, livestock resource specialist, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, discusses fire ant problems with agricultural consultant and former Commissioner of Agriculture Phil Campbell, center, and House of Representatives Agriculture Committee Chairman Henry Reaves. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Sam McGill and other in terested members of the General Assembly also participated. Pick Your Own An updated pick-your-own listing will be published in the MARKET BULLETIN on July 21. If you would like to be in cluded in this listing, please send us information on your operation by July 7. Be sure to include directions, your phone number, restrictions, hours picking is allowed, and the time period your crop will be available. If you were included in our previous listing, plese do not resubmit this information. Page 2 m