IFAS Insight

by LUIS RODRIGUEZ, UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Each year, the availability of agricultural land in Florida continues to decline. One of the reasons is the expansion of urban development. This trend presents increasing challenges for farmers seeking land to cultivate crops. According to the 2020 United States Census, Florida recorded a population of 21,538,187 in […]

by LUIS RODRIGUEZ, UF/IFAS Polk Extension Agritourism offers agricultural businesses a valuable opportunity to engage with the local community by welcoming visitors to the farm, fostering stronger relationships with customers. In Florida, many farmers who participate in agritourism also sell products directly from their farms as a way to expand their customer base and increase

by BRAD BUCK, UF/IFAS Imagine using a generative AI platform similar to ChatGPT to get crop-damage information after a hurricane. That’s what University of Florida artificial intelligence (AI) scientist Nikolaos Tziolas plans to provide to farmers statewide. With a new $297,000 grant from the USDA-National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Tziolas plans to develop an

by LUIS RODRIGUEZ, UF/IFAS Polk Extension Beekeepers play an essential role in modern agriculture as their managed honey bee colonies are responsible for pollinating approximately 85% of the crops consumed today. However, the health and productivity of these colonies are increasingly threatened by a variety of pests. If not properly managed, these pests can spread

by MEREDITH BAUER, UF/IFAS The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is urging veterinarians, livestock producers and animal health professionals to remain vigilant about recognizing signs and symptoms of the New World screwworm as the threat of its spread to the U.S. increases.   The screwworm could pose a threat to U.S. livestock, wildlife

by LUIS RODRIGUEZ, UF/IFAS Polk Extension Honey bees play a critical role in Florida’s agricultural industry. To ensure the sustainability of their colonies, beekeepers must continuously monitor the colony health, as various stressors, both internal and external, can adversely impact bee behavior and physiology. If left unmanaged, these stressors can compromise colony resilience, increasing susceptibility

by LUIS RODRIGUEZ, UF/IFAS Polk Extension Florida’s agricultural industry is both vast and diverse, containing the production of key crops such as citrus, strawberries, and watermelons. These crops play a vital role in supporting food security across the region and beyond. In intensive farming systems, the responsible application of pesticides is essential to ensure effective

Red Imported Fire Ants (RIFA) are aggressive pests that invade homes, farms, and landscapes across the southeastern U.S. These ants are notorious for their painful stings and aggressive behavior. There are two species: the red and black imported fire ants. While the black species is mainly found in Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee, the red imported

by LUIS RODRIGUEZ, UF/IFAS One of the most common issues in farming is water management. Some farmers can misuse water resources when over- or under-irrigating crops or by mismanagement of farm runoff. This could create problems such as pollution, nutrient loss, and reduction in crop quality. For this reason, farmers are encouraged to implement water

by DAVID AUSTIN, UF/IFAS Those Pesky Bugs If you are like many people, you might cringe at seeing some unknown creature crawling across your prized plant. Your Spidey senses might kick in, and you may want to act. Before you reach for a spray bottle, please take a breather and identify your new invader. It