Responding to Intergenerational Food Security and Nutrition Education Needs With Remote Programming

In-person intergenerational programming focused on nutrition education and healthy food access among older adults and preschool children in care settings was abandoned last year when COVID forced center closures. Food for a Long Life (FFLL), a 5-year community-based participatory research (CBPR) project, re-oriented programming in response to heightened community food insecurity and social isolation during COVID. With county Extension agents, FFLL modified and initiated new partnerships to expand food pantry services for several hundred families and deliver nutrition programming to youth (n=28) and older adult (n=130) participants in two states. In this presentation we share how the CBPR method supported adaptive programming and evaluation while continuing to advance project goals, including to promote the sustainability of an intergenerational food pantry and nutrition programming delivery after funding ends in summer 2021.

Weedy Rice Update in Arkansas, USA and Adjacent Locales

Weedy rice (Oryza sativa L.) is among the most problematic weeds in rice (Oryza sativa L.) production. The commercialization of herbicide-resistant (HR) rice nearly two decades ago provided an effective tool to manage weedy rice; however, resistance evolution and volunteer HR hybrid rice kept weedy rice at the forefront of rice weed control needs. This research aimed to assess the prevalence and severity of weedy rice infestations, identify production practices that may have contributed to an increase in weedy rice, and identify control strategies that may still be effective on weedy rice across Arkansas and adjacent US mid-south locales. Two questionnaires, one for rice growers and consultants and one for County Extension Agents (CEAs), were distributed through e-mail and physical copies in 2020. Thirty-three respondents returned the rice grower (25) and consultant (8) survey representing 26 and seven counties in Arkansas and the Bootheel Missouri area, respectively, as well as four parishes in northeast Louisiana. Eighteen respondents returned the CEA survey. Respondents ranked weedy rice the third most problematic weed in rice, behind Echinochloa spp. and Cyperus spp. The most common infestation levels reported in 78% of fields was less than 12 m−2. Crop rotation (64% growers/consultants, 50% CEAs) and HR rice technology (27% growers/consultants, 50% CEAs) were the top-two most effective methods for weedy rice management, respectively. Tillage and crop rotation practices significantly influenced weedy rice infestation. Rice-soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotation had the lowest weedy rice infestation compared to monoculture rice and other crop rotation practices. Crop rotation was not practiced on 26% of reported fields, primarily due to poor drainage. The imidazolinone (IMI)-resistant rice technology was still effective (>70% control) in 60% of fields, but quizalofop-resistant rice is needed to control IMI-resistant weedy rice. Overall, weedy rice remains a challenging weed in rice production.

Hairy Indigo Control in Peanut

This publication provides county Extension agents, growers, and pesticide applicators with information on hairy indigo control options in peanut. Written by Jason Ferrell, Blaire Colvin, and Pratap Devkota, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, revised May 2021.

PSIX-37 Considerations for using game cameras for on-farm behavior of beef cattle

On-farm studies provide an opportunity to build relationships with clientele while answering applied science questions. Further, game trail cameras are a low-cost technology that may be an alternative to visually observing livestock for behavior data. An on-farm study involving eight county Extension agents and producers investigated game cameras to capture cattle visitation to mineral feeders. Three different models of Browning game trail cameras (Prometheus Group LLC, Birmingham, AL) each with timelapse feature were utilized. A three-page document provided background and methodology for the study. Details for placement of the trail camera were provided to provide consistency across farms. Cameras were pre-programmed to settings for image capture. A video for camera setup was also provided in the event that cameras reset to default settings due to battery failure. Timelapse feature was utilized providing image capture from sunrise to sunset at 2 min intervals. Several observations were noted to improve data capture in the future. Differences existed in battery utilization between camera models with one model only capturing images for approximately 2 of the 7 d periods while others had more than 80% battery life remaining after 7 d. Cameras were to be oriented facing south to avoid sun glare. Sun glare occurred at sunrise on most cameras and was particularly bad when dew was present on the camera lens. Mineral feeders need to be secured in place as livestock may move feeders out of the frame of the images captured. Still photos are insufficient in assessing behavior and short video clips are expected to improve interpretation especially when multiple animals visit the feeder at the same time. Utilization of human observation was not useful unless observation was performed at sunrise. Game trail cameras have the potential to be a cost-effective tool in capturing on-farm data of cattle behavior.

Strong Nonagricultural Demand Keeps Agricultural Land Values Increasing

The Florida Land Value Survey, conducted by the Food and Resource Economics Department at the University of Florida, provides estimates of the value of different types of agricultural land for geographic regions of the state. The survey questionnaire was designed to obtain estimates of the market value for different types of land as of May 2005. Survey respondents included rural appraisers, farm lenders, real estate brokers, farm managers, land investors, county extension agents, personnel from the Farm Services Agency and the Natural Resource Conservation Service, county property appraisers, and other persons who develop and maintain information about rural land values in their areas. Respondents provided 185 usable county reports for the 2005 survey. This document is FE625, one of a series of the Food and Resource Economics Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date January 2006. FE625/FE625: Strong Nonagricultural Demand Keeps Agricultural Land Values Increasing (2005) (ufl.edu)

4-H & FFA Livestock Projects: Life Skills Gained and Knowledge Learned

Junior Livestock shows are one of the most popular 4-H and FFA projects in Utah. Thousands of youth participate in these shows from every county in Utah. County extension agents and FFA advisors spend much time with livestock committees, leaders, parents, and youth engaged in livestock shows. Can public funds spent on salaries be justified for county 4-H extension agents and FFA advisors who work with junior livestock shows? To help answer this question, 413 youth involved in livestock shows in Utah were surveyed in 2001. Youth were asked to share skills learned from their livestock projects. Value statements along with specific content skills were measured in the survey. The results indicate that from their 4-H and FFA projects, youth learned to accept responsibility, follow instructions, gain self-confidence, follow instructions, “do the right thing” as well as a variety of other values and content skills.