by BRAD BUCK, UF/IFAS Growing up in rural Douglas, Georgia (pop. 11,000), Stephanie Brown actively participated in Future Farmers of America. She also liked to watch cooking shows on TV, and she enjoyed science. But she wasn’t sure how to combine food with science. Flash forward a couple of decades, and now she’s the new […]
New Statewide Extension Agent to Teach About Food Safety Read More »
provided by FLORIDA CITRUS MUTUAL BARTOW, FLA. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a June 2024 revised citrus crop forecast for the 2023-2024 harvest season on June 12. Florida citrus growers are expected to harvest 17.86 million boxes of oranges this season, an increase of 60,000 boxes compared with last month’s crop estimate. Additionally, the USDA forecasted 1.79 million boxes of
Citrus Forecast Up Less Than 1 Percent in USDA’s June Report Read More »
Learn About Results and Solutions on July 25 at the KeyPlex Citrus Symposium at Seven Sebring Raceway Hotel WINTER PARK, FLA. — Eleven years of research conducted in EU have determined causes of fruit drop on citrus, and the results will help to guide the citrus industry into the future. Fruit drop, in particular, was
Pathogens Identified as Cause of Citrus Fruit Drop Read More »
by USDA & FLORIDA FOREST SERVICE As any true Floridian knows, June marks the start of the hurricane season. If anyone understands the power of Mother Nature and the importance of preparation, it’s our ranchers and growers. Make a plan now so you can keep yourself, your loved ones, and your animals safe through the
Hurricane Preparation Guide for Florida Beef Producers Read More »
by UF/IFAS Taking a proactive approach to disaster planning can help your farm or ranch weather the storm. We know the bread and water shelves are often empty right before a hurricane hits and it takes some time to restock. That may be the case with your farm supplies as well. Farmers and ranchers should
Protect Your Farm Ahead of a Hurricane Read More »
by BRAD BUCK, UF/IFAS Do you want to see cattle up close and find out how Florida ranchers bring beef to the dinner table? Come to the 15th annual Youth Field Day at the UF/IFAS Range Cattle Research and Education Center (RCREC) on June 27 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Space is limited, so
Learn About Meat Quality, Robotics, Invasive Reptiles and More at Youth Field Day Read More »
UF Scientist Wins National Award for Program Connecting Military Personnel to Ag Careers by BRAD BUCK, UF/IFAS A veteran himself, University of Florida plant pathologist Gary Vallad wanted to give back to his comrades-in-arms. So, he and Simon Bollin started the Veterans Florida Agriculture Program (VFAP), which helps train veterans for jobs in that field.
Transitioning From National Security to Food Security Read More »
provided by FLORIDA CITRUS MUTUAL Bartow, Fla. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a May 2024 revised citrus crop forecast for the 2023-2024 harvest season on Friday, May 10. Florida citrus growers are expected to harvest 17.8 million boxes of oranges this season, down 5 percent from the April forecast. Additionally, the USDA forecasted 1.8 million boxes of
Citrus Forecast Down 5% in USDA’s May Forecast Read More »
by BRAD BUCK Ever since Florida farmers have been growing tomatoes, they’ve picked them by hand or hired laborers. It’s painstaking work that might be made easier soon with machine-harvestable tomatoes developed by University of Florida scientists. Now that the varieties are available, growers in Florida’s $400 million-a-year industry hope they can use mechanized harvesting,
Growers Hope Machine-Harvestable Tomatoes Can Help Lower Labor Costs Read More »
provided by the FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AND AGRICULTURAL SERVICES TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — In addition to previously issued safety protocols and polices, and in response to USDA confirmed cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in domestic livestock in eight states, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson today issued Emergency Rule 5CER24-4. The Emergency Rule imposes specific restrictions
