News — prevention

Nitrate Poisoning: What Livestock Producers Need to Know Submitted by: Gilbert Barrett   As we move through the growing season, livestock producers acrossNortheast Georgia and the Southeast should remain aware of the risk of nitratepoisoning in both grazed and harvested forages. While nitrate accumulation is oftenassociated with drought-stressed crops, several common forage species can developdangerous nitrate levels under a variety of growing conditions. Forages Most Commonly Associated with Nitrate AccumulationSeveral warm-season annual grasses are particularly prone to accumulating nitrates,including:SorghumSudangrassSorghum-Sudangrass HybridsJohnsongrassPearl MilletCrabgrassHowever, producers should not overlook perennial forages. Under certain conditions,nitrate levels can also become elevated in:Tall FescueBermudagrassAnnual RyegrassSmall Grains such as...

Avian Influenza in Chickens and Why Biosecurity is Your Best Defense by Nancy Jefferson, Ph.D.   -- Poultry Nutritionist, Kalmbach Feeds Biosecurity is the only effective defense against avian influenza. There are no feed or water additives that prevent or treat the virus, so strict prevention practices are essential to protect your flock of poultry. What is Avian Influenza? Avian Influenza (AI) has been a major concern in the poultry industry for a number of years.  There are two primary strains of avian influenza – low pathogenic (LPAI) and highly pathogenic (HPAI).  Birds infected with Low Pathogenic AI may become ill, but they...

Foxtail is a culprit and invades forages in the summer months.  To effectively control the grassy weed in cool season perennial grasses such as fescue, a pre-emergent herbicide protocol must start in Georgia in mid to late February. Using a pre-emergent spray application for foxtail control in fescue, annual foxtail can be effectively managed with Prowl H2O. Here’s the recommended approach: First Application: Apply 3 quarts per acre in mid-February. It's critical to have at least ½ inch of rainfall within 36-48 hours after application to activate the pre-emergent barrier. Follow-Up Applications: Apply 2 quarts per acre every 75-90 days. The greater the rainfall, the closer to the 75-day mark the application should be...