Sudden Drought Carries A Heavy Potential Impact On Crops In The Southeast

Feb 22, 2023

By Pam Knox

An ongoing study funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that is being conducted by the University of Alabama-Huntsville, the University of Florida and the University of Georgia is developing methods for identifying and quantifying the effect of flash drought with each university focusing on different strategies. Flash drought is often not captured by the US Drought Monitor, but its quick progression causes tremendous problems for thirsty crops, especially at growth stages where extra water is needed. For this project, smart irrigation apps for cotton, corn and forages are being used to identify periods when soil moisture becomes dangerously low under rain-fed conditions. These apps take into account the variable needs of crops over time and use current weather observations (including observations from the UGA Weather Network) to determine whether irrigation is needed to sustain the crops. You can read more about the project at Irrigation Today

Source : uga.edu

Video: Biosecurity Compliance - Dr. Jean-Pierre Vaillancourt

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Jean-Pierre Vaillancourt, professor of veterinary medicine at the University of Montreal, discusses the human side of biosecurity compliance. He explains why protocols often fail when people are tired, unconvinced, undertrained, or working with impractical systems, and how leadership, employee input, technology, feedback, and small incentives can make biosecurity more consistent on swine farms. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Biosecurity only works when people repeatedly do the right thing, and that means the system has to support compliance every day."

Meet the guest: Dr. Jean-Pierre Vaillancourt is a veterinarian and professor of veterinary medicine at the University of Montreal. His work focuses on biosecurity, infectious disease control, and practical risk reduction in animal production systems, with experience across swine and poultry health. Learn more from Dr. Jean-Pierre Vaillancourt on The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, available on all major platforms.