Overview of current research projects at the center

Cattle

• The Impact of Selection Using Residual Average Daily Gain EPD on Reproductive Performance, Growth Performance, and Carcass Traits in Angus Cattle (Dr. Dean Pringle) – A multiyear project that utilizes the entire REC cattle herd to gather data on the importance of genetics in regards to feed efficiency.
• Cow-Calf Research Technology: Cow Manager Monitoring System for Research (Jason Duggin) – A multiyear project that utilizes ear tags to collect data on the REC cattle herd.
• Using Doppler Ultrasonography and Blood Markers to Improve Reproductive Efficiency through Early Pregnancy Diagnosis and Prediction of Embryonic Viability (Dr. Pedro Fontes)– Examined the potential for early pregnancy detection in cattle that would serve to optimize beef production efficiency.
• Anthelmintic Strategies to Reduce Parasite Burden and Increase Animal Performance in Weaned Beef Calves (Dr. Lawton Stewart) – A multi-year project that utilizes a portion of the REC weaned calves to evaluate the efficacy of commonly used cattle wormers.

Forages

• Screening Germplasm with Bermudagrass Stem Maggot Tolerance (Roger Gates) – Evaluate the genetic resistance or tolerance to the Bermudagrass Stem Maggot pest in several hybrid Bermudagrass varieties. 
• Restoring Grasslands with the Addition of Alfalfa in an effort to Sustainably Increase Alfalfa Production in the Southeast (Dr. Jennifer Tucker) – Introducing Alfalfa to restore and renovate poor stands of cool and warm-season grasses.

Other Crops

• Wheat Breeding and Genetics (Dr. Mohamed Mergoum)– Evaluation of elite wheat lines and their adaptation to the location.
• Corn Sentinel Plots (Dr. Bob Kemerait) – Serves to provide early detection of important diseases that can cause significant losses for corn growers in Georgia.
• Soybean Rust Sentinel Plots (Dr. Bob Kemerait) – Early detection of diseases that negatively impact soybean growers in the state.

Statewide Variety Trials 

We evaluate multiple varieties of a crop on an annual basis. Current trials include:

• Corn Grain – both irrigated and non-irrigated
• Corn Silage
• Sorghum Grain
• Soybeans – maturity groups 4, 5, 6, and 7
• Soybeans – maturity groups 6 and 7 uniform test
• Tall Fescue – a multi-year study evaluating a stand of different varieties.