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After the state’s historic freeze and amid new world screwworm concerns, Florida farmers and ranchers are now fighting a new, potentially devastating pest. Pasture mealybug, Heliococcus summervillei, is a new invasive insect concern for Florida pastures, hayfields, turfgrass, and sugarcane. It was first detected in late May on limpograss in South Florida, and additional infestations have […]

When horse owners think about preventive healthcare, vaccinations, hoof trimming, parasite control, and nutrition usually come to mind. However, one area that is often overlooked is dental health. A horse’s teeth play a critical role in their ability to chew, digest feed efficiently, and maintain a healthy body condition. Even minor dental abnormalities can have

When freezing temperatures swooped through the state in late January, most orange growers braced for the worst. What they didn’t realize was that a therapy they’ve been using to fight greening was quietly stacking the odds in their favor.  Growers and researchers were pleasantly surprised to find that the state’s orange trees weathered the winter

The re-emergence of New World Screwworm in the U.S. is prompting heightened vigilance across the livestock industry. Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed multiple cases in Texas. While the confirmed cases are states away, the finding underscores the importance of biosecurity, surveillance, and rapid response throughout the nation. What Is New World

When Silvec Biologics CEO Rafael Simon submitted a proposal to the Environmental Protection Agency for an innovative product to fight citrus greening in January 2024, he knew that the process would take some time. Now, two-and-a-half years later, he’s still waiting, still trusting the process, and still looking toward the future. Part of the delay

Laminitis is a painful hoof disease that can develop quickly and, if left untreated, may lead to permanent damage, chronic lameness, or even the loss of a beloved horse. The good news is that recognizing the early signs and understanding the risk factors can significantly improve your horse’s chances of recovery. What Is Laminitis? Laminitis

A research project focused on long-term, high-tech results using gene editing technology and aimed at bolstering the industry’s fight against greening and beyond is underway and could have implications for all of Florida’s crops, not just citrus. Dr. Heqiang “Alfred” Huo is an associate professor of ornamental plant breeding at the University of Florida and

Vitamin E is essential for healthy neuromuscular function in horses. It is important for both normal health and prevention of deficiency-associated disease. Vitamin E acts as your horse’s internal bodyguard. When horses exercise, their cells produce free radicals. If those are left unchecked, these unstable molecules damage cell membranes. Vitamin E steps in to neutralize

In the HLB era, research has shown that nutrient management is critical, and that includes micronutrients, according to UF/IFAS. Micronutrients such as manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), boron (B), iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) are not required in large quantities like the “big three” of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K), but they are essential

These days, Florida is usually seen as a place of leisure and fun in the sun. But for Florida’s early settlers, it was a very different story. That story is told in the best-selling novel ‘A Land Remembered’ by Patrick D Smith. Now, that same story is being adapted into a TV series. A Story