Column

by SCOTT THOMPSON There is no magic bullet. That’s one of the messages UF/IFAS Professor Ozgur Batuman told an audience at a recent seminar in mid-May. He also said that the development of an HLB-resistant, genetically modified citrus tree is progressing, but it’s still at least eight years away — and even then, HLB will […]

We live in a world of misinformation, and the U.S. beef industry has seen its share. Those in the Florida and U.S. ag industry are not just stewards of the land; we all also have to be advocates for the industry. One of the main problems, according to the experts at UF/IFAS, is that many

Access to quality, affordable healthcare has long been a challenge for Florida’s farmers and ranchers, especially for those in rural communities.  But this is all about to change, thanks to newly signed legislation aimed at making healthcare coverage more accessible for the people who play a pivotal role in maintaining the country’s food supply. What

Polk County’s long agricultural history remains a point of pride and today’s landowners are increasingly exploring new opportunities for growth and reinvestment. As traditional farming models shift due to technology, climate and market dynamics, many are reimagining what the future of their land could look like – and CFDC is here to help offer opportunities.  

Maintaining a healthy pasture is vital for the well-being of your horses. A well-managed pasture not only provides nutritious grazing but also promotes overall horse health and happiness. Success in pasture management hinges on two critical aspects: selecting the right types of grass and implementing effective grazing rotation strategies. Choosing the Right Grass for Your

CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) has become a leading technology in genetic research, offering precise, targeted approaches to modifying DNA. While its applications began in human therapeutics, CRISPR is now steering fresh new advancements in agriculture, particularly in combating Huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening, a disease that continues to devastate the

As farmers work tirelessly to recover from the impacts of the citrus greening disease, and doing so in the wake of multiple hurricanes that have further exacerbated their losses, researchers, too, are working diligently to develop innovative solutions. Lukasz Steliniski and his team at UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center are testing a new citrus

While the title of this column may seem like an alphabet soup of complex acronyms, it’s actually a nod to Dr. Sandra Guzman, assistant professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Smart Irrigation and Hydrology at the UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center in Fort Pierce. Guzman conducted research on the possibility of individual protective

UF/IFAS researchers want citrus growers to know that “Managing weeds in citrus groves isn’t just about what you spray; it’s about when you spray.” This is because the age of the weeds affects the effectiveness of herbicides. Similarly, the age of your citrus trees can also have an effect on how the herbicides affect your citrus.  Getting Weed Management

If you thought social media was just for recipe videos and dancing influencers, think again. Whether you’re growing citrus, raising hogs, or running a ranch, social media can be one of the most powerful tools to help you grow your business and tackle misinformation about agriculture head-on. Combat Misinformation: It Starts With a Simple Post