May 12, 2003

URBANA - Milk production was up by 2.6 percent in the United States in 2001, but milk consumption was up only about one percent, leading to a milk surplus, said a University of Illinois Extension dairy specialist.

“We are still producing more milk and milk products for the U.S. market than will be consumed,” said Michael Hutjens, who reviewed the U.S. milk consumption patterns during June Dairy Month.

Illinois, however, continues as a “milk deficit” state, he added. The state produces less milk than it consumes.

May 29, 2003

Energy use and costs are greatest in the hot, summer months when air conditioning use peaks. The Illinois Electric Council suggests taking measures now so your home can better weather the summer sun, heat and humidity.

“There are a number of measures, small and large, that can make a big difference in comfort and electric bills, “ says Molly Hall, Illinois Electric Council Executive Director. “Most steps can pay for themselves relatively quickly. For example, weather stripping and caulking are inexpensive ways to boost efficiency and cut energy costs.”

May 28, 2003

URBANA—Record-low prices, continuing production challenges and tough competition are among the challenges faced by Illinois dairy producers, said a University of Illinois Extension dairy specialist as he reviewed the industry in conjunction with June Dairy Month.

“Prices paid farmers for milk are at a 30-year low with no light visible at the end of the tunnel,” said Michael Hutjens. “Our dairy managers need a price of $13 per hundredweight to cover the costs of production. Their base price today is $10 to $11.”

Intestinal parasites, or worms, are a plague to both dogs and cats. Most pets will harbor worms at some point in their lifetime. Puppies and kittens have a high incidence of intestinal parasites, and most receive de-worming treatment as part of their routine care. Roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms are the most common culprits of these infections.

May 27, 2003

Urbana - Corn prices have now given back much of the recent gains, with July 2003 futures trading near $2.40 after spiking to a high of $2.59. A continuation of generally favorable weather for new crop development might be expected to push July futures under $2.35, and perhaps back to the late April low near $2.30, according to University of Illinois Extension Economist, Darrel Good.

"The modest strength in corn prices that occurred in the first half of May appears to have been driven by concerns about planting delays and a one-day BSE reaction," Good said.

May 22, 2003

URBANA--Last summer Asian carp and snakeheads, invasive fish species, received plenty of attention because they are big and pose a dramatic threat to U.S. waterways. But they are just two of many non-native species that can disrupt the ecological and economic health of lakes and rivers.

This summer, when heading out to boat or fish in waterways near and far, you can help protect your favorite lake or stream by taking steps that help prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic nuisance species of all sizes.

May 22, 2003

Urbana - Using an inexpensive, low-tech gravity tank in a swine manure liquid-solid separation process will help producers control swine odor and keep phosphorus and potassium levels in the soil under control.

"The gravity tank is the cheapest way to separate liquids from solids," said Ted Funk, University of Illinois Extension specialist in environmental engineering. But it's not just cheap. It's effective, according to U of I research.

Your medicine cabinet may be hazardous to your pet’s health. This is where most people store various over-the-counter medications, painkillers, antihistamines, and vitamins.

“Dogs and cats are not small people. What is safe for people may not be safe for pets,” says Dr. Valentina Merola, a veterinarian at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in Urbana. “Most human medication has the potential to cause severe problems.”

May 21, 2003

URBANA--To anticipate possible problems from global warming, researchers at the University of Illinois have launched a research project known as SoyFACE that can mimic the content of the atmosphere in the year 2050 and assess how those changes will affect crops.

May 20, 2003

URBANA - For over 130 species of birds, getting bitten by a mosquito carrying the West Nile virus can be fatal. And, although crows and jays appear to be hardy, aggressive birds, there is something about their immune system that makes them "differentially susceptible to the virus" said Jeff Brawn, a University of Illinois researcher. Brawn has been working with medical entomologists for the last year to study the effects of the virus on bird populations. He hopes to study how the virus will cause an evolutionary change in the crow’s immune system.