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Hurricanes pose significant challenges for horse owners, requiring careful planning and proactive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of their horses. With powerful winds, heavy rain, and potential flooding, preparation is not just advisable but essential. Before the Storm Preparing for a hurricane begins long before it arrives. Ensuring your horse’s vaccinations are up […]

Timing for herbicide applications starts to get tricky once Florida’s rainy season gets underway. Florida’s May-to-October rainy season brings nearly daily rain showers that can both delay herbicide spraying and decrease the effectiveness of the herbicide through reduced absorption and translocation. Timing your herbicide applications just right can help maximize the application’s effectiveness and reduce

Any true Florida farmer knows the dangers of hurricane season. Did you know that livestock losses can account for millions of dollars in damage each year due to hurricanes? When hurricanes hit, humans aren’t the only ones they affect. Our animals, especially cattle, are also at risk.  That’s why it’s so important to have a

It seems there has been a faint song of optimism about the Florida citrus industry these days. With some recent research breakthroughs and a steady chorus of “not if, but when,” it can be tempting to hold tight and wait for a proven HLB-resistant tree to save the day. However, if you listen closely, there’s another

In our ongoing struggle with citrus greening, growers are on the lookout for two potential beacons of hope — escape trees and survivor trees. Escape trees are trees that have somehow avoided infection by citrus greening disease despite being in an area where the disease is prevalent. They might be often found in the same

As summer quickly approaches, ensuring your horses are well-prepared to handle the heat and humidity is crucial. From hydration to hoof care, taking a few extra steps can make all the difference in keeping your horse happy and healthy. Here’s a guide to preparing your horses for the sizzling summer months. 1. Hydration Is Key

Soil pH plays a huge role in nutrient availability, and it’s especially important when it comes to citrus trees affected by citrus greening, also known as HLB. HLB causes citrus trees to have smaller root systems that are weakened by the disease. Since the root systems are not able to uptake water and nutrients as

When you’re shopping for meat, you might notice labels like “Prime,” “Choice,” or “Select” on the packaging. These labels are USDA meat grades, and they give you important information about the quality of the meat you’re buying.  What do these grades mean, and how do they affect your meals?  The Basics of USDA Meat Grades

To paraphrase a quote from citrus grower James Shinn, the current HLB-ravaged environment is forcing us to “rewrite the book on growing citrus.” This month, Tree Defender introduces our latest chapter; a new weapon in the story of the war on greening. For some high-end fresh fruit growers, CUPS has become a successful chapter in

In the past 20 years, the Florida citrus industry has been devastated by greening disease, intense hurricanes, and a global pandemic that widely affected nearly every industry in the state. Through it all, Florida citrus growers demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination. Despite growers’ best efforts, production has plummeted, with estimates for the current season at