Publications

Researchers have investigated the issue of mislaid eggs in cage-free housing and the possibility of reducing the incidence of floor eggs through management of lighting, litter and bedding, and nesting space, and the use of robotics. Methods with potential for managing mislaid or floor eggs in cage-free layer houses can be summarized as follows: 1. House-lighting time management: In cage-free aviary systems, lighting management is used to help control floor-access time. According to observations in commercial cage-free layer houses, most floor eggs are laid at first light. Delaying floor access time in the morning may help reduce floor eggs by keeping the birds near the nests for the first few hours of light. 2. Light intensity and distribution: Make sure to provide sufficient light intensity evenly across the litter floor. Increasing the light intensity under the aviary system has been tested to be effective at reducing over 80% of floor eggs. 3. Bedding depth: Scratch areas covered with litter help reduce the risk of feather pecking and cannibalism, and minimize flightiness, for hens living in large flocks. However, deep litter attracts birds to lay eggs on the litter itself. According to research conducted at Iowa State University, reducing litter depth discourages hens from laying eggs on floor of commercial cage-free houses. 4. Nesting space: Nesting behavior is a key priority and important welfare indicator for egg production, so providing hens with safe and secure locations to lay eggs is critical. A good nesting design in cage-free systems facilitates egg collection, minimizes the risk of cloacal cannibalism, and assists food safety and sanitation.

Foodborne illnesses sicken approximately 48 million Americans a year and result in significant financial losses for the food industry. Outbreaks of foodborne illness have been linked to consumption of small fruit products, but growers and packers can take precautions to reduce food safety risks on their operations. This video discusses what foodborne illnesses are, what causes them, and basic steps that can be taken to ensure the production of safe fruit. This video was produced in collaboration with the Auburn Department of Horticulture.

Variety selection is one of the biggest decisions and investments cotton growers make each year. In 2010, the UGA Extension Cotton Agronomists implemented the UGA On-Farm Cotton Variety Evaluation Program to assist in this decision. In this annual publication, varieties were evaluated in 2020 across a wide range of environments in the cotton producing regions of Georgia in cooperation with county agents and industry partners. The implementation of this program has made a tremendous impact on variety selection from year to year, and it will continue to have the same impact in the future.

Variety selection is one of the biggest decisions and investments cotton growers make each year. In 2010, the UGA Extension Cotton Agronomists implemented the UGA On-Farm Cotton Variety Evaluation Program to assist in this decision. In this annual publication, varieties were evaluated in 2020 across a wide range of environments in the cotton producing regions of Georgia in cooperation with county agents and industry partners. The implementation of this program has made a tremendous impact on variety selection from year to year, and it will continue to have the same impact in the future.

2021 plant disease losses, including control costs, amounted to an estimated $889 million. The value of the crops used in this estimate was approximately $7690 million, resulting in a 11.6% relative disease loss across all crops included in this summary. For most crops, the estimated values used to compute these disease losses are summarized in the UGA Center for Agribusiness & Economic Development's "2021 Georgia Farm Gate Value Report" (AR-22-01). Some estimates for fruits, ornamentals, and turf rely on specialists' knowledge of the industry and industry sources for information.