WSU Extension Q&A: A bottle of soda a day = 52 pounds of sugar a year
Q. How much sugar is in a 20-ounce bottle of cola?
A. A 20-ounce bottle of cola has about 16 teaspoons of sugar. One 20-ounce bottle of cola per day for 365 days is equivalent to eating 52 pounds of sugar. Source: Cornell University CHFFF.
Q. How do you tell when sweet corn is ripe?
A. Sweet corn is ripe when the grain is plump and the liquid within the kernel is a milky color. Sweet corn is under-ripe when the kernels are small and the liquid within is watery. Once the grain begins to dent and the liquid within becomes dough-like, the corn is over-ripe.
Q. Someone was talking about a salamander project in 4-H. Is that a thing you can really do?
A. Yes, 4-H has an amphibian project. It covers identification of amphibians, as well as their value to the ecosystem. In addition to amphibian knowledge, youth will also learn to conduct field research through experiential education. For more information, contact WSU Franklin County Extension Office for the Benton-Franklin 4-H Program at 509-545-3511 or franklinco@wsu.edu.
Q. I have heard that algae growth in water can be a problem for livestock. Is that true?
A. Yes, algae can be a problem for livestock. Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) bloom rapidly when the conditions (temperature, sunlight, and nutrients) are right. Sometimes, blue-green algae produce toxins that can cause serious illness to people, livestock and pets. A blue-green algae bloom can look like green paint floating on the water and can be green, bluish or reddish-green in color. It is most common in summer and fall, but has been known to occur at other times. Signs of toxic blue-green algae include large numbers of dead fish, waterfowl or other animals. If you see the signs of poisoning, avoid contact with the water, keep livestock and pets away from the water, and contact your local health department or the Washington State Department of Ecology. The water can be tested to determine if the toxins exist.
To submit a question, call 509-735-3551.
This story was originally published August 11, 2017 at 11:44 AM with the headline "WSU Extension Q&A: A bottle of soda a day = 52 pounds of sugar a year."