CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu
Published on 07/02/18

UGA Extension scouting schools draw agriculturists from across the state

By Cristina Luisa deRevere

Even in a world of remote-monitoring stations and farm technology, farmers haven’t found anything better than the human eye to identify emerging crop problems.

Insect scouting — sending people into a field of crops to spot early signs of pest problems — is both a tradition and an art form, and University of Georgia Cooperative Extension is committed to making sure Georgia has enough trained scouts to survey the state’s fields.

This June, UGA Extension entomologists hosted two insect scouting schools at the Tifton Campus Conference Center and the Southeast Georgia Research and Education Center in Midville, Georgia.

“Over 2 million acres of Georgia were planted with cotton, peanuts and soybeans this year,” said Phillip Roberts, UGA Extension entomologist. “These types of trainings and demonstrations are a great resource for scouts to learn pest identification and for growers to learn pest management before they cause crop loss.”

UGA Extension has offered insect scouting schools annually for the past four years. The free event encourages participants from all backgrounds and positions to attend and receive the crucial trainings.

An estimated 130 scouts, county Extension agents, growers and Georgia Farm Bureau staff members attended lectures on insect anatomy, biology, monitoring and damage as well as plant anatomy and pathology for peanuts, cotton and soybeans. After the lectures, participants headed into the field to learn scouting procedures and practice insect identification.

“The Georgia Farm Bureau always enjoys opportunities to meet with UGA specialists and learn more about current production practices,” said Raynor Churchwell, Georgia Farm Bureau agricultural programs specialist. “Having a good understanding of crop production issues helps us better represent farmers in the legislative and regulatory arenas. UGA Extension does an exceptional job hosting these hands-on demonstrations and educational opportunities for producers and industry representatives.”

More information on insect identification and management can be found on the UGA cotton and peanut commodity blogs at www.ugacotton.com and site.extension.uga.edu/peanutent/.

Cristina deRevere is the public relations coordinator for Georgia 4-H.

Authors:
Cristina Luisa deRevere
Experts/Sources:
Phillip M Roberts
Scout schools will be offered at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Georgia, as well as the Southeast Research and Education Center in Midville, Georgia.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Download Image
University and state leaders cut the ribbon during the Science and Ag Hill dedication ceremony. (Chamberlain Smith/UGA) CAES News
UGA dedicates first phase of Science and Ag Hill modernization 11/01/24
The University of Georgia held a dedication ceremony on Oct. 30 to celebrate the completion of the first phase of renovations to modernize research and instruction facilities and infrastructure on UGA’s Science and Ag Hill. This area of campus, located just south of Sanford Stadium, includes buildings dedicated to a variety of scientific disciplines such as biology, physics, geology and agricultural sciences.
CAES doctoral students Sofia Varriano and Leniha Lagarde follow farmer Clay Brady to the pasture where many of his chickens are kept. CAES News
UGA researchers study how free-range chickens influence farm sustainability 10/31/24 Maria M. Lameiras
Researchers in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences are studying how pastured and free-range chickens impact ecosystems on integrated crop-livestock farms. Supported by a $749,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, entomology doctoral student Sofia Varriano and her thesis advisor, agroecologist and systems biology Professor Bill Snyder, are testing the promise of integrated crop-livestock agriculture to increase the sustainability of smaller farms.
The study represents the most detailed and comprehensive picture to date of the health of the monarch fall migration in Eastern North America. (Photo courtesy of Pat Davis) CAES News
The monarch butterfly may not be endangered, but its migration is 10/22/24 Leigh Hataway
With vigorous debate surrounding the health of the monarch butterfly, new research from the University of Georgia may have answered the biggest question plaguing butterfly researchers. Why are the wintering populations declining while breeding populations are stable? Published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the study suggests that monarchs are dying off during their fall migration south to Mexico.
Helenedamage web CAES News
Hurricane Helene: Preliminary damage assessment on Georgia agriculture and forestry industry 10/10/24 Claire Sanders Kinnard, Matthew Agvent
Today, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, in coordination with Governor Brian P. Kemp, the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), and the Georgia Forestry Commission, announced the preliminary estimate of Hurricane Helene’s economic impact on Georgia agriculture is $6.46 billion.
Jennifer Berry, Apicultural Research Professional and Lab Manager for the UGA Honey Bee Program, recently achieved her Ph.D. and Triple Dawg status. She has been working with the Honey Bee Program at UGA for over 20 years. (Photo by UGA College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences.) CAES News
Queen bee: Berry turns a sweet hobby into research and impact 08/20/24 Brandon Ward
Jennifer Berry has always been interested in insects. As a child, she would spend time in the woods behind her house, fascinated by the multi-legged life that lived among the trees. In summers, Berry visited her grandparents’ Missouri farm, where her grandfather would take her to a buzzing tree to collect bits of honeycomb. After safely smoking out some of the bees, he would hold Berry up to see the hive and take a couple of small combs for them to enjoy. “I always wanted more,” she said.
LiceCheck CAES News
A back-to-school guide to the nitty-gritty on head lice 08/12/24 Allison Johnson
As students return to school, head lice often become a common concern for administrators and parents. Understanding how to prevent and manage head lice infestations is crucial for maintaining healthy environments in schools and at home. Allison Johnson, the Pesticide Safety Education Program coordinator for the University of Georgia, provides essential information and advice to help mitigate the spread of this pesky pest.