If there’s one point I consistently try to hammer home, it’s the importance of working together. That’s why a new project out of the University of Florida has particularly piqued my interest. The Southeast Grazing Exchange aims to “play matchmaker” between ranchers with livestock and landowners with grazing space. The program is free to users …
It’s old news to say that the Florida citrus industry has been in a downward spiral from the effects of HLB. Freezes, tropical storms, and other tree stresses only seem to exacerbate it. And while Citrus growers are some of the most tenacious people on Earth I know, they are tired of hearing the pep …
Hurricane season is fast approaching with June 1 being the start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season. Many citrus growers in The Sunshine State are wary due to the destruction Hurricane Ian brought to citrus in September 2022. While not all of the tree damage and flood-caused tree mortality can be mitigated, there are steps that …
The majority of horse lameness issues are in the foot. The horse will most often have a significant limp or won’t want to use the limb. There are other possibilities for such a significant lameness such as a fracture, septic joint, or tendon injury, but unless there is a large wound or significant swelling on …
Since 2019, the Citrus Research and Field Trial (or CRAFT) Foundation has supported growers who are experimenting with various means of addressing citrus greening in their operations, such as alternate varieties, nutritional supplements, or grove maintenance practices. “(CRAFT) began as a way to assist growers in getting new trees in the ground while still deriving …
CRAFT Cycle Four the Biggest in the Program’s History Read More »
As if the battle against greening and development weren’t enough to handle, Florida farmers are facing yet another threat to their livelihoods and the food security they provide. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson isn’t taking this threat lightly, and it’s a sentiment I’m hoping more and more people adopt. During a recent interview with News …
Many Florida citrus growers are undertaking new plantings, and there are many considerations to be taken for phytophthora, according to UF/IFAS assistant professor of plant pathology Megan Dewdney, during an OJ break. She shared it’s estimated that phytophthora, Phytophthora palmivora and Phytophthora nicotianae, causes losses to citrus yields anywhere from 3 percent to 6 percent every year; …
Top Tips to Keep New Plantings Safe From Phytophthora Read More »
Your horses’ lungs are critical for competition, pleasure riding, and general health. If you have had the flu or a cold, you know how uncomfortable you feel and how hard breathing can be. Unlike people, horses can’t breath out of their mouth so any nasal discharge or congestion can be a serious problem. Horses can …
Respiratory Infections Can Be Serious for Horses Read More »
As strong as the headwinds are facing the American farmer these days, it seems the Florida citrus grower has been dealing with some of the strongest. It’s a wind that’s way beyond gale force and — even as tough and resilient as Florida citrus growers are — it can be utterly overwhelming. Fortunately we have …
Shout It From the Rooftops – Florida Citrus Creates a Healthy Florida Read More »
The Citrus Budwood Program through the Florida Department of Agriculture is currently increasing stock of early-season orange varieties for expedited advancement into nursery production: Donaldson, Parson Brown, Carney’s 2 and 3, and Roble. Each of these varieties has shown some measure of HLB tolerance or HLB resistance and are being rushed towards production to help …
