Column

Many people, including myself, often use analogies when trying to convey a position or point of view. When I think about the Florida citrus industry’s current situation, the saying “it’s like turning a battleship instead of a speedboat” comes to mind.  It takes a lot of planning, calculation, and preparation to maneuver a large ship. […]

Is there anything better than when a plan comes together? This is turning out to be even more of a blockbuster year than I expected, and the timing couldn’t be better. If you’re a regular reader of this column, you may already be familiar with my vision to give Florida ranchers a convenient, local, cost-effective

There is a systematic plan for diagnosing a lameness in your horse that includes an exam with potential nerve blocks, radiographs, and ultrasound. The first step is always to perform a thorough lameness work-up to determine a baseline lameness and determine which leg is affected. Palpation and a visual exam can help locate an injury

There’s been a problem lately with cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, affecting Florida’s lakes and waterways. Cyanobacteria are common in Florida’s freshwaters, and many species can produce dangerous toxins. James Gaspard at Biochar Now has developed an innovative method for controlling cyanobacteria without introducing additional toxic chemicals into the environment. Biochar is a type of charcoal

The USDA’s final citrus forecast for Florida’s 2022-2023 citrus season marks a grim milestone for those in the industry — 15.9 million boxes of oranges and 1.8 million boxes of grapefruit. Unfortunately, even though the numbers leave a sinking feeling in our stomachs, we can’t say this was unexpected. We’ve been watching the slow slide

Cover crops are an investment in soil health, and many citrus growers are looking to utilize cover crops to improve the health of their citrus trees. The thought is that healthier trees will be better able to combat citrus greening and other diseases, and to bounce back faster after hurricane damage. Research is still ongoing

As I reflect on Independence Day and into the future, I am reminded that our country has always excelled at innovation.  Consider The Gilded Age, a period from roughly 1877 to just after the turn of the century. This short, 23-year period of growth produced hundreds of things we take for granted, including the telephone,

The American Association of Equine Practitioners recommends core vaccines be given to your horses at least yearly. Core vaccines include the West Nile Virus (WNV), Eastern and Western Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE/WEE), tetanus, and rabies. Due to the year-round mosquito population, vaccination boosters are recommended every six months for EEE/WEE and WNV. While vaccines do not

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),