Florida citrus growers have a lot on their plates these days, but recent research from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) shows that drones, also called unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), can make some of those tasks more efficient. The research shows thus far that drones can accurately detect and count
Vaccines stimulate the body’s own immune system into producing antibodies against a specific disease without actually causing the disease. The antibodies “prime” the body for potential infection and result in a faster immune response against the disease compared to a naïve animal. Vaccines are primarily directed against viruses but there are some against bacteria. High-risk
Spring is here, and, in Florida, that means several things: It means many farm workers are busy harvesting; that backyard growers and gardeners are in full swing; and outdoor enthusiasts are taking full advantage of the beautiful weather. However, the coming of spring also means that a lot of allergens are out there, where you
April’s warmer temperatures and typically dry weather signal spring is here, meaning it’s time to prune branches damaged by the winter cold and prepare for the growing season. When flowering shrubs finish blooming, it’s time to shape them. Mulch your garden now to control weeds, retain moisture, and protect roots from that hot summer sun.
Fertilizer is vital for crops to produce sufficient yields. Without adequate fertilizer, we wouldn’t be able to produce the amount of viable produce necessary to satisfy the market. That’s why it’s so important that we ensure our crops are getting the right amount of fertilizer at the right times. The 4Rs of nutrient stewardship are
Family farms—those that operate as “a sole proprietorship, partnership, or family corporations” according to the USDA—make up nearly 96 percent of the over two million farms in the country. Family farms are much more likely to have two or more generations involved in the day-to-day processes of the farm, and are likely to be passed
As investors, it feels like we spend a lot of our time thinking about “worst-case scenarios.” We don’t want our money and our asset values to go down! As such, we’re constantly worried about a potential event that would cause us to lose money. Planning for a financial downturn is necessary You do have to
With this being the Livestock Edition of Central Florida Ag News, I thought I would focus on an organization that likely isn’t well known outside the world of agriculture. That’s The Livestock Conservancy. The mission of the conservancy is succinct in words but grand in scope: “To protect endangered livestock breeds from extinction.” The Livestock
I’ve written recently about the changing landscape in public refrigerated warehousing, especially the cold food chain segment, and how PRW companies are expanding their services to be more competitive, more diversified, and more helpful to their customers. One of the services being offered more frequently by PRWs is tempering. Basically, it’s a well-controlled and closely
As citrus season progresses, let’s take a moment to talk about windbreaks and their importance to citrus trees. The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service defines windbreaks as “plantings of single or multiple rows of trees and shrubs that are established for environmental purposes.” Here are a few different types of windbreaks;