#CattleProducers | AM 1180 Radio

July 29, 2026

Chattooga County Extension Encourages Producers To Have Hay Tested

Local News, Local News Items #CattleProducers, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaCountyExtension, #ChattoogaInfo, #FarmNews, #ForageTesting, #GeorgiaAgriculture, #HaySeason, #Livestock, #northwestgeorgia, #UGAExtension, #WZQZ, #wzqznews 0

Chattooga County Extension is encouraging livestock producers to have their hay and other stored forage tested while this year’s hay crop is being harvested.

Forage testing provides information about the nutritional value and overall quality of hay, helping producers make better decisions when developing feeding programs for times when fresh grass is unavailable. Hay quality can significantly affect livestock health, growth, performance and the amount of supplemental feed needed during the winter.

University of Georgia Extension specialists say appearance alone cannot reliably determine the nutritional value of a particular supply of hay. A laboratory analysis can measure factors such as crude protein, fiber, digestibility and total digestible nutrients, allowing producers to build a feeding plan around the actual needs of their animals.

A representative sample is important for accurate results. UGA recommends using a clean forage probe and collecting samples from multiple randomly selected bales rather than simply pulling hay from the outside of a bale.

With hay now being cut and stored across the area, Chattooga County Extension says this is a good time for producers to test their forage and begin planning for the upcoming winter feeding season.

June 15, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Expands Animal Entry Rules After Screwworm Detection In U.S.

Local News, Local News Items #AgricultureNews, #AnimalEntryRequirements, #AnimalHealth, #CattleProducers, #chattoogacounty, #FarmNews, #GeorgiaAgriculture, #GeorgiaDepartmentOfAgriculture, #Livestock, #NewMexico, #NewWorldScrewworm, #northwestgeorgia, #Texas, #VeterinaryInspection, #wzqznews 0

Georgia agriculture officials have expanded animal entry requirements following the detection of New World screwworm in the United States, a livestock pest that was eradicated from the country decades ago.

June 7, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Producers Urged to Review USDA Screwworm Resources After Confirmed U.S. Case

Local News, Local News Items #AgricultureNews, #AnimalHealth, #APHIS, #CattleProducers, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaInfo, #FarmNews, #GeorgiaAgriculture, #LivestockHealth, #LivestockProducers, #NCBA, #NewWorldScrewworm, #northwestgeorgia, #RuralGeorgia, #USDA, #wzqznews 0

Livestock producers are being urged to stay alert following the recent confirmation of a New World screwworm case in the United States.

The USDA confirmed New World screwworm in a calf in Zavala County, Texas, on June 3. The CDC says no locally acquired human infestations have been reported in the United States, but the outbreak has been moving northward through Central America and Mexico since 2023, affecting livestock, pets, wildlife, and people.

New World screwworm is a serious pest that can infest wounds in warm-blooded animals. Because of the potential risk to livestock and agriculture, the USDA has released preparedness resources for producers, including current status updates, a U.S. response plan, fact sheets, field identification guides, and additional response materials.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says it also plans to release simplified resources in the coming weeks to help producers better understand the USDA response playbook.

Producers are encouraged to review USDA materials and monitor livestock closely for suspicious wounds or signs of infestation.

March 16, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Bull Breeding Soundness Exams Scheduled in Chattooga County

Local News, Local News Items #agriculture, #BeefCattle, #BreedingSoundness, #BullBreedingSoundnessExam, #CattleFarming, #CattleProducers, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaCountyGA, #ChattoogaExtension, #ChattoogaYoungFarmers, #FarmCommunity, #HerdManagement, #LivestockHealth, #LocalAgriculture, #NorthGeorgia, #northwestgeorgia, #summervillega, #UGAExtension, #UGAExtensionChattooga, #wzqznews 0

Cattle producers in Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia will have an opportunity to have herd bulls evaluated during upcoming Bull Breeding Soundness Exams scheduled for Saturday, March 21 at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center.

February 28, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

UGA Beef Team To Host Free Webinar On New World Screwworm Preparedness

Local News, Local News Items #AgEducation, #AgricultureNews, #CattleProducers, #chattoogacounty, #Farmers, #GeorgiaAgriculture, #GeorgiaFarmers, #LivestockHealth, #NewWorldScrewworm, #ProtectYourHerd, #Ranchers, #UGABeefTeam, #UGAExtension, #VeterinaryMedicine, #wzqznews 0

The University of Georgia Beef Team is hosting a free educational webinar to help producers and the public learn more about the New World Screwworm and how to prepare for the potential threat.