Our Impact
Making A Difference in Our County
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension is working hard for its constituents. The following are examples of Extension’s impact in the county over the past year.
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Treutlen County, home of Soperton “The Million Pines City”, is most often recognized for its timber production. However, it is also comprised of cattle, forage, pecan, turfgrass and row crop producers. Of the row crops, cotton is most widely planted, followed by peanuts. Small grains such as rye, wheat and oats are also grown for both grain and winter grazing.
Treutlen County Extension serves its community by providing programming and resources to ag producers and homeowners, along with recommendations for decisions made around the farm and home. In 2025, the ANR agent participated in UGA’s Master Irrigator Program and multiple on-farm research trials involving row crops, pecan orchard establishment, Vidalia Onions, and longleaf pines.
Production meetings are conducted each year for all crops relevant to the county. In addition to the annual production meetings, forestry meetings are also held which provide CEU’s for commercial and private pesticide applicators, forester and logger education.
Summary
A local cattle producer reached out to the Treutlen County Extension Office for their recommendations on heifer retention. The agent discussed both the advantages and disadvantages of retaining heifers as replacement cattle and discussed the record-high cattle market.
Situation
A cattle producer was considering retaining 14 Brangus Heifers to increase his herd size. The producer reached out to the Treutlen County Extension Agent for recommendations. The agent discussed the advantages of heifer retention with the producer, such as knowledge of bloodline, maintaining a closed herd and knowledge of health history. The producer was also informed the 750lb heifers he considered retaining averaged $2200/head the previous week in Geogia based on the USDA Marketing Website.
Response
The Treutlen County Extension Agent visited the farm of the cattle producer. He discussed heifer retention with the producer. The agent advised the producer that if he chose to retain heifers, a blood sample should be taken to determine the open/pregnant (bred) heifers following exposure to a low birthweight bull.
The agent recommended allowing the heifers to reach adequate weight and age for breeding to a low birthweight bull, should the producer elect to retain the heifers. The agent suggested exposing the heifers to the bull for 90 days followed by collecting a blood sample from each heifer to determine if the heifers were bred. He assisted and educated the producer in obtaining blood samples from 14 heifers for pregnancy testing. The producer furnished red top vials, 20-gauge needles, and 10 ml syringes in order to collect the samples. The samples were submitted to the UGA Tifton Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory through the local Extension Office for testing. The lab cost for pregnancy testing by means of a blood sample was $5.00 per sample plus a $15 shipping and accession fee. The additional expense for vials, needles, and syringes was $1 per sample. The total cost for the producer to perform a pregnancy check on 14 heifers was $95.
By determining which heifers were bred, both the time and expense of feeding the open heifers would be eliminated.
Impact
As a result of pregnancy testing his cattle, the producer realized ten of the 14 heifers were bred. Once his Brangus Bull passed a breeding soundness exam, the bred heifers were retained in his herd. By early detection of the four open heifers, the producer calculated he saved $400 per head, $1600 total, in the cost of the feeding and care given to them for the complete gestation cycle of 283 days. The four open heifers were sent to market and sold for $2150 each, totaling $8600. The producer retained ten bred heifers, gained $10,200 in savings and earnings, and appreciated the assistance and knowledge he obtained through the Treutlen County Extension Office.
4-H Youth Development
The 4-H motto is, “To Make the Best Better”, while the 4-H slogan is, “Learn by Doing.”
Treutlen County 4-H embodies both expressions while working with youth. We strive to instill the skills and knowledge needed to become productive adults, while pursuing dreams and passions!
Treutlen 4-H conducts monthly in-school meetings with 4th-8th grade students and has called meetings for grades 9th -12th at the Treutlen County Extension Office. These meetings allow students to gain knowledge about team building, healthy living, communication, agriculture and more! There are currently 410 students registered in our enrollment system, with the number fluctuating yearly.
In addition to our in-school club meetings, Treutlen 4-H offers a variety of activities for Cloverleaf, Junior, and Senior 4-H’ers which encompasses grades 4th-12th. Some activities offered include District Project Achievement, livestock shows, summer camps and activities, community service opportunities, and our SAFE programming. Treutlen 4-H has been recognized for district and state achievements in all project areas!
4-Her’s attending each event in 2025.
41 Cloverleaf Camp
4 Junior Camp
4 Senior Camp
4 Senior Conference
1 State Congress
12 Jr./Sr. DPA
41 Cloverleaf DPA at Toombs County.
Summer and Fall 4-H activities included: trip to Ronald McDonald House, a portfolio workshop, a beach trip and a trip to Splash in the Boro
Awards for 2025:
Cloverleaf DPA:
1st in Highest % Participation
2nd in Most 4-Her's Competing
2nd in Highest % of Winners
Family and Consumer Sciences
Although Treutlen County does not have a Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) agent based in the county Extension office, we strive to assist local residents with their questions. Common questions cover food safety, food preservation, dealing with mold and mildew, healthy meal planning, nutrition, family budgeting, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) resources and more. These issues and others are answered through a wide variety of free UGA Extension publications available at the county office and phone conferences with Family and Consumer Sciences agents from surrounding counties. Neighboring FACS agents often conduct programming that our county residents are welcome to attend. Our office can provide information about programming in surrounding counties.