A4oO ~ ?\ f2 31 {z. Visit Our Website www.agr.state.ga. us IVIARKET BULLETIN ., . GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TOMMY IRVIN,COMMISSIONER Vol., No. 23 Irvin to Visit China For Trade Mission With the passage of the U.S.-China Trade Bill recently in the U.S. House of Representatives and its wide support for passage in the Senate, Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin enthusiastically awaits his trade mission to China scheduled for June 17- 29. "Agriculturally, I hope this trade agreement will have a very positive effect on Georgia's economy," Irvin said. "Many of Georgia's main crops and products such as poultry, pecans, tobacco and cotton are extremely popular in Asia. We will be going to China in June to seek possible markets for Georgia agricultural products." . Irvin's trip was already scheduled despite the outcome of the recent vote. The bill's passage, however, raises the potential for success of the trade mission. While in China, Irvin and several state agri-business leaders will visit trade shows in Beijing and Xian. In Shanghai, they will visit the Shanghai Nut Company and then continue on to Hong Kong before returning to the U.S. "I am excited at the prospect of a level playing field for our agricultural community to have access to such a large market," Irvin said. "China is already our fourth largest market for poultry exports and I suspect that with permanent access it will quickly become number one." FtVt PiM~ Volunteers Needed Statewide For Free Well-Water Testing The Georgia Geologic Survey has begun a statewide groundwater quality - survey in cooperation with the Georgia Department of Agriculture. The Survey is currently sampling private wells in Southwest Georgia. Homeowners residing in all counties except the coastal counties of Effingham, Chatham, Bryan, Liberty, Mcintosh, Glynn, Camden,. Brantley, Charlton, Ware, Clinch, Echols and Lanier, which draw drinking water frotn a confined aquifer, are eligible to have their drinking-water tested free of charge. Samples will be collected from shallow domestic drinking water wells and analyzed for the commonly used pesticides alachlor, atrazine, metolachlor, (Continued on Page 11) Wednesday June 7, 2000 Copyright 2000 Jmte: Ktdimui 'OabuJ ffttmfk Dairy Technology Increases in Southeast The butcher, the baker and the candy maker are all using dairy products in new ways, thanks to dairy farmer-funded research, according to the Southeast United Dairy Industry Association, which is celebrating June as National Dairy Month. Technological advances are unveiling new products that create a longer shelf life for milk and improvements in low-fat cheeses. These innovations are playing a major_ role in increasing milk consumption through the Southeast and the country, the Association said. And, thanks to research, yogurts and other cultured dairy products are becoming even more nutritious. "Product research leads to more markets for dairy farmers' milk," said Bob Earle, general manager of SUDIA. "It enables us to find new ways to grow dairy sales and build more demand for dairy ingredients." Here are some examples of how new dairy farmer-funded research helps increase demand: * Adding carbon dioxide to the product during packaging extends shelf life to up to 75 days for cottage cheese_, 35 days for fluid milk and 35 days for ice cream mix, all without the use of artificial preservatives. *Adjusting the cheese-making process improves the melt and stretch of low-fat mozzarella and improves the flavor, body and texture of reduced-fat Cheddar cheese. * Adding dry milk and whey powders to yogurt improves consistency and structure and increases total calcium and protein content. * Edible films made from whey protein isolates may soon replace gloss-producing shellac on chocolate candy. Whey protein isolates applied to fruits, nuts and other foods replace synthetic materials now used- to provide oxygen, aroma and oil barriers, thereby extending shelf life. * Whey and dry milk powders improve flavor, aroma, texture and other attributes in certain meat products. Dry dairy ingredients also improve the flavor, texture, appearance and nutrition of bakery products, frozen desserts, sauces, salad dressing, snack foods and a myriad of other products. (Continued on Page 11) Expo Field Day Set for July 18 Moultrie, Ga. will be the site for farmers to come and see the latest in seed, chemical and irrigation technology at the Sunbelt Expo Field Day 2000, scheduled for July 18. Shuttles will depart for the fields at 8:30 a.m., and registration will be held in the Morton Building prior to shuttle departure. Farmers will tour plots planted and _ overseen by seed and chemical companies and university researchers. Each plot will have a representative there to discuss the company's product and research objective. Visitors will get a "sneak peek" at the crops that will be harvested and tilled during the Sunbelt Expo 2000 on Oct. 17-19. "Field Day is a great opportunity for farmers throughout the region to come and see the latest cutting-edge seed, chemical and irrigation technology in a real life, unbiased farm setting," said Chip Blalock, director of the Sunbelt Expo. -Field Day will be held at Spence Field, home of the Sunbelt Expo. It's located three miles southeast of U.S. Highway 319 in Moultrie on Highway 133. There is no admission charge. For more information, call (912) 985- 1968 or e-mail: sunexpo@alltel.net. Affe.ldimt Eguil