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Florida’s citrus growers have faced significant challenges in recent years due to the devastating effects of citrus greening. As they seek alternative crops, one plant that holds immense promise is bamboo. Beyond its traditional applications, bamboo offers a plethora of opportunities for growers, ranging from textiles and culinary ventures to pharmaceutical breakthroughs, high tech applications, […]

If you’re a Florida citrus grower using treatments like gibberellic acid (GA), oxytetracycline injections, and/or intense nutrient management programs to improve the health and yields of your citrus trees, then consider using the Canopy Assist program. Developed by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC),

If you talk to just about anyone in the ag industry, you’ll likely learn they own or manage a small business. I, too, am a self-professed entrepreneur. We’re not 9-to-5 people; small business is a 24-7 commitment.  In fact, did you know that 97 percent of all U.S. farms are family-owned? Small businesses are part

In military campaigns the only way to achieve total victory is with “boots on the ground.” For the Florida citrus industry’s ongoing battle against HLB though, it’s “trees in the ground.” Technology can be wonderful; however, all the advances we’ve made will be for naught if the industry does not initiate and maintain a robust

Horses will always find a way to injure themselves, so it’s important to provide a safeenvironment and have a well-stocked first aid kit. The correct supplies will allow youto perform “triage” until your veterinarian arrives. Critical areas that need assessment and treatment as soon as possible are deeplacerations, wounds near a joint, and eyeballs. If

While the news cycle reaction to the announced May citrus forecast focused on thenumbers, there was an underlying sentiment about the future impact this season mayhave on the citrus industry.  In a statement about the citrus forecast, Florida Department of Citrus Executive DirectorShannon Shepp noted that the “(c)urrent crop forecast numbers serve as a testament

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