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Mike Roberts

Time for Citrus Growers to Switch Gears for Fall

As citrus growers enter the season buoyed by the positive USDA forecast and success with...
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Supporting Our Youth & Giving Thanks

We’ve officially hit that period when we begin the holiday season in earnest, and the...
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Equine Care Transitions: A Seasonal Guide for Fall and Winter

As the seasons slowly shift and the air becomes crisper, it’s a signal for horse...
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Action Brings Action

If there is one true constant in life, it’s change. You must learn to embrace...
Mike Roberts

Fall Is a Time of Suspense With OTC Now in Play

Fall is always an unpredictable time for the Florida citrus industry.  To begin with, October...
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Make Your Voice Count

If you have been keeping up at all with the craziness coming out of Washington...
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When Even the Basics Aren’t Basic

There’s been so much buzz about the overhaul and new location for Chop-N-Block that it’s...
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Fall Vet Visits Should Focus on Respiratory Vaccines, Tapeworm Treatment 

With the seasons changing and the weather getting cooler, this is the perfect time of...
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Rizome, Grower Work to Jumpstart Bamboo in Florida

From fabrics to pharmaceuticals, bamboo is a growth industry, and will remain so for the...
Mike Roberts

Deadline for Hurricane Relief Extended 

Florida was ravaged by Hurricane Ian in September of 2022, and many industries suffered damage...
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Adaptation, Communication, Preparation

Although it has been some time since Hurricane Ian came and went last year, many...
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Bringing Back the Old-Fashioned Meat Market

I’ve been talking a lot lately about F1 Meat Co. — my new professionally run...
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Heat, Humidity, and Insects Threaten Horse Health

Florida has its unique challenges for horses. A combination of the climate, humidity, wet ground...
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Assistance for Growers Interested in Bamboo

Florida’s citrus industry has been under siege for many years. Between the relentlesscitrus greening disease...
Mike Roberts

Citrus Cooperative Research Projects Advance the Industry

Great things happen when we put our heads together. There are many instances where advancements...
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Puns, Analogies, and Opportunity

Many people, including myself, often use analogies when trying to convey a position or point...
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The Power of a Plan

Is there anything better than when a plan comes together? This is turning out to...
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Take a Systematic Approach to Horse Lameness

There is a systematic plan for diagnosing a lameness in your horse that includes an...
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Battling Blue-Green Algae With Bamboo Biochar

There’s been a problem lately with cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, affecting Florida’s lakes and waterways...
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Florida Still Shines Despite Citrus Woes

The USDA’s final citrus forecast for Florida’s 2022-2023 citrus season marks a grim milestone for...
Mike Roberts

Cover Crops Help Soil, but What Are the Long-Term Benefits?

Cover crops are an investment in soil health, and many citrus growers are looking to...
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Innovation Nation

As I reflect on Independence Day and into the future, I am reminded that our...
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Vaccinations Are Critical for Protecting Your Horse

The American Association of Equine Practitioners recommends core vaccines be given to your horses at...
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Versatility of Bamboo Lends Options to Struggling Owners

Florida’s citrus growers have faced significant challenges in recent years due to the devastating effects...
Mike Roberts

Canopy Assist Program Lets Growers Track Progress

If you’re a Florida citrus grower using treatments like gibberellic acid (GA), oxytetracycline injections, and/or...
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When Dreamers Become Doers

If you talk to just about anyone in the ag industry, you’ll likely learn they...
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It’s Time for a Trees-in-the-Ground Campaign

In military campaigns the only way to achieve total victory is with “boots on the...
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Which Injuries Require a Vet?

Horses will always find a way to injure themselves, so it’s important to provide a...
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The Future Is in the Research

While the news cycle reaction to the announced May citrus forecast focused on thenumbers, there...
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A Match Made in Florida

If there’s one point I consistently try to hammer home, it’s the importance of working...
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A Breeze of Technological Optimism

It’s old news to say that the Florida citrus industry has been in a downward...
Mike Roberts

Get Your Groves Ready for Hurricane Season

Hurricane season is fast approaching with June 1 being the start of the Atlantic Hurricane...
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Majority of Lameness Originates In the Foot

The majority of horse lameness issues are in the foot. The horse will most often...
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CRAFT Cycle Four the Biggest in the Program’s History

Since 2019, the Citrus Research and Field Trial (or CRAFT) Foundation has supported growers who...
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This Land Is Your Land, This Land Is My Land

As if the battle against greening and development weren’t enough to handle, Florida farmers are...
Mike Roberts

Top Tips to Keep New Plantings Safe From Phytophthora

Many Florida citrus growers are undertaking new plantings, and there are many considerations to be...
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Respiratory Infections Can Be Serious for Horses

Your horses’ lungs are critical for competition, pleasure riding, and general health. If you have...
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Shout It From the Rooftops – Florida Citrus Creates a Healthy Florida

As strong as the headwinds are facing the American farmer these days, it seems the...
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Expedited Budwood Program for Early Oranges

The Citrus Budwood Program through the Florida Department of Agriculture is currently increasing stock of...
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Citrus Greening Control and Increased Citrus Production on the Horizon

Florida citrus growers may have a new tool in the fight against greening. Using a...
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Owners Need to Know the Signs of Colic

An attentive horse owner will notice subtle changes in their horses’ behavior. Horses are creatures...
Mike Roberts

Emergency Brix Level to Provide Relief to Florida Citrus Growers

The Florida citrus industry is taking hits from all sides. The industry is facing the...
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Communication Helps Us Help You

I am in awe of the wizardry we all carry around in our pocket. Here...
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The Future Is in Good Hands

While there’s plenty to fret about in the agriculture industry these days, you need only...
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The Big Ag Pivot: Bamboo’s Role in Florida Farming

Florida has become the number one state in the country that people move to. As...
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Good Mosquito Control Defends Against West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus is a virus spread by mosquitoes and can infect multiple animal species...
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Help for Navigating Through the Tough Times

Let’s face it: It’s tough to be in the Florida citrus industry these days. As...
Mike Roberts

Digging Deep into 4R Nutrient Stewardship

4R nutrient stewardship is key to the Best Management Practices for fertilizer applications to achieve...
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The Choice to Persevere

At one time, a drive through the Florida countryside could leave you in awe of...
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Land in Transition

There are people who are optimistic about a cure for citrus greening, and then there...
Katie Hennessy

Stay on Top of Horse Health With Wellness Checkups

A thorough annual health exam is a way to keep your horse healthy and stay...
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Brassinosteroids Research May Provide a Way Forward for Citrus

For five years, Dr. Fernando Alferez and his UF/IFAS research group in Immokalee have been...
Mike Roberts

Citrus Reset Management: Tips on Nutrients and More

Citrus reset management is necessary for maximum efficiency in Florida citrus growers as citrus trees...
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Auctions Are a Business of Solutions

Friends, as this year comes to a close, I am grateful for those of you...
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A Vision in the Making

As the year comes to a close, I’m giddy with excitement like my teenage daughter...
Katie Hennessy

Fiber Is Crucial for Horse Gut Health

The horse’s digestive tract is designed to be continuously processing forage. Ideally, horses should be...
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Industry Sustainability May Call for a Larger Toolbox

For this month’s column, we wanted to focus on industry sustainability. With all of the...
Mike Roberts

FDACS Announces Fertilizer Applications Exemption

Florida growers enrolled in the Best Management Practices (BMP) Program have a little breathing room...
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Blessed to Be Recognized for Recent Successful Auction

Friends, I am counting my blessings! I am facing the physical, economical, and political storms...
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