UGA Cooperative Extension - Early County

05/29/2026

05/27/2026

🐛 New Report Available: 2026 Southern Pine Beetle Prediction Survey

The Georgia Forestry Commission’s latest Southern Pine Beetle (SPB) Prediction Survey Report is now available.

To complete this year’s survey, GFC placed 50 traps in 50 counties across Georgia, collecting samples weekly for six weeks. The survey tracks both Southern Pine Beetles and clerid beetles, a natural predator of SPB, to help assess potential forest health risks.

📊 Key findings from 2026:
➡️ Statewide average SPB catch: 26.0 beetles per trap per day (moderate range)
➡️ 2025 statewide average: 33.5 beetles per trap per day
➡️ High activity counties (80+ SPB/day): Carroll, Floyd, Polk, Randolph
➡️ Elevated activity counties (50–80 SPB/day): Clarke, Coweta, Dawson, Houston, Macon, Monroe

Southern Pine Beetles remain one of the most destructive forest pests in the South, making early monitoring and awareness critical.

📖 View the full report here:
https://gatrees.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-SPB-Prediction-Full-Report-final.pdf

05/27/2026

Stressful plant growing conditions may result in high concentrations of nitrates in forage and plant species commonly found in pastures and hayfields. Animals consuming high-nitrate material will experience symptoms associated with nitrate toxicity or poisoning. This resource answers the most-asked....

05/27/2026

🐔 FINAL SESSION REMINDER – Backyard Flock Workshop! 🐔

Don’t forget—our 4th and final session is TODAY!
📅 Wednesday, May 27
⏰ 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (end time approximate)
📍 Early County Extension Office
14415 Magnolia Street, Blakely, GA

Topic: Nutrition Basics
Speaker: Dr. Sean Chen

Attend 3 or more sessions and be entered into a prize drawing. The prize drawing will take place tonight!

To learn more or get registered:
(229) 723-3072
[email protected]

We hope to see you there to finish out the series strong.

05/26/2026

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/hometown-food-company-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-egg-birch-benders-12oz-sweet-potato-pancake

Please view the above link for a FDA food recall on sweet potato pancake mix. This is a nationwide food recall.

Chicago (May 20, 2026) – Hometown Food Company, in cooperation with Element Food Solutions, today initiated a limited, voluntary recall of a single lot code of its Birch Benders 12oz Sweet Potato Pancake Mix because it may contain undeclared egg. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to...

05/26/2026

🌽🥫For most people, summer starts on Memorial Day Weekend… but in Early County, summer officially begins when the Early County Canning Plant opens its doors! That can only mean one thing — fresh vegetables are being picked and canning season is finally here!

Opening day for the Early County Canning Plant is one week from today - Tuesday, May 26, 2026

Hours (by appointment): Monday–Thursday, 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM
(Closed July 6-17)
To Schedule an Appointment Please Call:
Lisa Murphree – (478) 217-0564 or Sierra Boerner – (706) 612-7452

Pea Orders: June 1 – June 26
Available varieties: Cream 40s, Pink Eyes, Zippers, & Butterbeans (while supplies last)

Services & Pricing:
• Cans – $1.50
• Blanching – $1/bushel
• Shelling – $6/bushel
• Corn Creaming – $0.10/ear
• Self Bagging – $45/bushel
• Big Bag – $50/bushel
• Freezer Ready – $58/bushel
• Canned – $58/bushel
Bonus: Potato peeler available on site!

Thank you for supporting local and helping keep our community strong! 💙💛

05/26/2026

While we are appreciative of the recent rains, this drought is far from over. In this 'Beef Tips n' Advice' article, Dr. Lisa Baxter summarizes our best resources available for managing forages during a drought.

The full article can be found at: https://beef.caes.uga.edu/news/2026/05/what-forage-drought-resources-are-available/

Be sure to also follow Georgia Forages on Facebook!

05/26/2026

🚨 Alpha-gal syndrome, a serious and potentially life-threatening allergy triggered by tick bites, has emerged as a serious public-health concern.

Here's what you can do to protect yourself, according to Nancy Hinkle, Extension veterinary entomologist for the state of Georgia:

▪️ Wear long clothing and tuck pants into socks.
▪️ Wear permethrin-treated garments, which can kill ticks on contact.
▪️ Stay on established trails and out of tall grass and brush.
▪️ Perform careful tick checks as soon as you return home.
▪️ Make sure your pets are treated with preventive chemicals.

Professor Hinkle emphasizes that no tick bite is harmless and that avoiding tick bites is crucial for preventing both known and yet undiscovered tick-borne diseases.

➡️ Learn more at the link in the comments!

05/26/2026

Podcast Episode · Talkin' Cotton Podcast · May 15 · 26m

05/26/2026

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System is the primary outreach and engagement organization for the land-grant mission of Alabama A&M University and Auburn University in cooperation with Tuskegee University.