Column

If you’ve ever seen the “Product of USA” label in the meat department and assumed you were buying American-raised products, you weren’t wrong to think that. But until recently, that assumption wasn’t always accurate. For years, imported meat could carry the “Product of USA” claim after nothing more than minimal processing on U.S. soil. The […]

You finally pull into the driveway after a long haul, put the truck in park, and breathe a sigh of relief. You made it. But while you sit resting in the driver’s seat, your horse just finished a serious workout in the trailer. A long trailer ride isn’t just a trip, it’s a physically and

As Florida’s citrus industry continues to adapt to ongoing challenges like HLB, researchers are taking a renewed look at how trees are fed. The goal is no longer just maximizing inputs, but optimizing them. Integrated nutrient management is emerging as a key strategy for improving both sustainability and production. Rather than relying solely on traditional

Pockets of “survivor trees,” or trees that have been infected with citrus greening yet continue to produce healthy fruit, are rare but exist throughout the state, including pockets discovered in Polk, Highlands and Hendry counties, Merritt Island, and the 40-year-old Donaldson tree in Groveland. While research has yielded some information about how these survivors continue

Florida citrus growers are scrambling to create new plans for their citrus groves after the recent freeze event in late January, and UF/IFAS researchers want growers to know there are several diseases that should be added to those new plans. Citrus growers need to up their scouting activities for the diseases below and plan on

Equine asthma is a common respiratory condition that affects horses of many ages and disciplines. Much like asthma in people, it occurs when a horse’s airways become irritated and inflamed after exposure to airborne allergens. Dust, mold spores, and pollen are among the most common triggers found in a horse’s environment. When these irritants are

If you want to start a farm, you probably already know it’s going to take much more than seeds, dirt, and a dream. While you might be envisioning rows of crops under a bright blue sky or the satisfaction of raising healthy heifers, you also need a solid business plan and some practical know-how to

As the tests, trials, lab work, and field work continue to march forward in the Florida citrus industry’s decades-long battle with citrus greening, now is a good time to reflect on the importance of the work of the budwood program. Current Director Justin Ezell, former Director Ben Rosson, and their staff should be credited for

Florida citrus growers participating in the Cycle 7 field trials of the Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) recently received a boost of financial support.    At a recent Florida Citrus Commission meeting, the FDOC’s Scientific Research Department proposed the allotment of $2 million in non-recurring general revenue funds to reimburse participating growers for a portion

The freeze event that hit Florida at the end of January and the beginning of February has left the agriculture industry reeling, including the citrus industry. While many growers may be chomping at the bit to jump into recovery mode, the official word from the experts at the University of Florida Institute of Food and