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When Hurricane Milton plowed its way across the heart of Florida in October, we — like many of you — were glued to the weather updates, took as many precautions as we could, and prayed for the best. This was definitely a high-wind storm — setting off a record number of tornado warnings in Florida […]

In 2022, state funding finally allowed the UF/IFAS Nutrient Management Program (NMP) to respond to the long-standing request from Florida citrus growers for updated recommended fertilizer rates for citrus. Florida citrus growers have long been calling for updated science-backed fertilizer rates that reflect the realities of the current citrus industry concerning citrus greening, also known

As I write this, Hurricane Milton is threatening our state, and my thoughts are with our growers and ranchers. Hurricanes are an ever-present threat to your livelihood as a rancher or farmer in Florida. These powerful storms devastate crops, damage infrastructure, and disrupt operations for weeks, months, or even longer. Understanding how hurricanes impact agriculture

Just like humans, horses can experience a range of metabolic issues that can have a significant impact on their health and well-being. One of the common metabolic disorders seen in younger horses is Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS). Equine Metabolic Syndrome is a condition that occurs when a horse’s metabolism becomes disrupted, leading to insulin resistance

by TOMMY THAYER Getting through the HLB disaster that has devastated the Florida citrus industry these past few decades has called for tremendous combined efforts from across the spectrum. These efforts include cutting-edge research, newly developed products, and innovative best practices. Each area builds and pushes the others forward. At Tree Defender, we continue to

Citrus growers may have a new tool in the fight against citrus greening — brassinosteroids. Horticulturalists discovered brassinosteroids about 40 years ago but are continuing to discover potentially valuable new uses for them. Fernando Alferez, Associate Professor and Citrus Horticulturist with UF/IFAS, describes brassinosteroids as “a unique class of plant steroidal hormones with important roles

Florida’s citrus growers must always be on the lookout for new pest concerns, and algal spot is high up on that list. It started showing up in citrus groves in 2015, and it has grown more serious in the last few years. UF/IFAS researchers have been prepping for algal spot through multi-year trials, and they

Have you ever wondered what all the buzz is about grass-fed beef? With all the different public misconceptions about grass-fed beef, it can be hard to tell fact from fiction. We’re here to clear up the popular myths and shine a light on why grass-fed beef could be the healthier, more ethical choice for you

As mosquito-borne diseases make a resurgence across the United States, horse owners need to be vigilant about protecting their animals from Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV). Every year there are cases of EEE and WNV so it’s crucial to take proactive measures to safeguard your horse from these potentially deadly infections.

There is no silver bullet. I’m pretty sure that this is the accepted sentiment by most Florida citrus growers and industry-watchers. There is not going to be some silver-bullet solution that magically appears and wipes away the HLB plague that has haunted the citrus industry for so long. What is becoming apparent is that fighting