trends

2020 Plant Trends Head Off the Beaten Garden Path

Dan Florida, Industry News Release, Nursery Crops

(UF/IFAS) — Expect to see more eco-conscious and unconventional plants in homes and gardens for 2020, according to horticultural experts with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Below are some of the hottest trends to look for in the new year. Plants are considered native to your area if they naturally occur there. “One trend I …

usda

Food Trends 2020: Meal Kits, Convenience Store Nutrition and Drinkable Collagen

Dan General, Industry News Release

(UF/IFAS) — Most people think of collagen as a protein used for cosmetic purposes that you get in a jar, but prepare for drinkable collagen. If you think that’s interesting, try going online to order meal kits – full of just-the-right ingredients for the dishes you want to prepare. Those are a couple of the fearless forecasts from UF/IFAS faculty …

growers

Growers Should Manage Tomato Bacterial Spot While Seedlings are in Transplant Facilities

Dan Florida, Fruits, Industry News Release, Vegetables

BALM, FL (UF/IFAS-oct. 17, 2019) — New findings from University of Florida scientists could help tomato growers nationwide in their battle against a damaging disease. With 37,000 acres, Florida’s tomato industry is a $520 million-a-year crop, so it’s critical to find sources of diseases so growers can avoid or treat them to sustain their yields. But a bacterium called Xanthomonas …

commissioner

UF/IFAS Experts Help Farmers Cope with Mental Stress

Dan Florida, General, Industry News Release

ST. PETERSBURG, FL (UF/IFAS-Oct. 3, 2019) — When some people think of a farmer, they conjure an image of a stoic, tough-as-nails figure – one who can cope with any hardship. But that’s not always the case, particularly when cold, heat, drought, disease or a natural disaster strikes their crop or cattle. Sometimes, when a farmer or rancher’s livelihood is …

recycling

Biosolids Produce Less Nitrogen and Phosphorus Runoff than Inorganic Fertilizer

Dan Environment, Florida, Industry News Release, Irrigation, Research, Soil, Water

GAINESVILLE, FL (UF/IFAS-September 17, 2019) — New research from University of Florida scientists found that some nutrients from inorganic fertilizers enter surface water more easily than those from biosolids. Maria Silveira, a professor in the UF/IFAS department of soil and water sciences, led the study that collected runoff from a common pasture grass to determine its nitrogen and phosphorus content. …

agricultural

Agricultural Producers Urged to Learn About Irrigating Wisely at Free UF Event

Dan Education, Florida, Industry News Release, Irrigation, Research

GAINESVILLE, FL (UF/IFAS) — UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County will host a free event highlighting water-saving technologies available to agricultural producers and how this equipment has already aided growers in the area. Irrigating Wisely in Florida’s Agriculture, held at Brown’s Farm in Hawthorne, Florida, on Sept. 17, will share information on best management practices for utilizing water-saving technologies as well as …

florida agriculture

UF/IFAS Economist: Hurricane Dorian’s Impact on Florida Agriculture Minimal

Dan Field Crops, Florida, Fruits, Industry News Release, Specialty Crops, Vegetables, Weather

GAINESVILLE, FL (UF/IFAS) — One day after Hurricane Dorian crept past Florida’s Atlantic coast, impacts to the state’s agricultural and natural resources-based industries appear to be minimal, according to an economist with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. As of Thursday noon, the most notable effects were minor grapefruit losses in the Indian River area, a …

florida agriculture

Dorian’s Swing Threatens 770,000 Acres of Ag Land in Florida East Coast Counties

Dan Florida, Industry News Release, Weather

GAINESVILLE, FL (UF/IFAS) — Hurricane Dorian began its much-anticipated northward swing Tuesday morning and is now expected to skirt Florida’s Atlantic coast, threatening a dozen coastal counties that are home to 9 million residents and more than 770,000 acres of agricultural land. Though most agricultural production in these counties occurs 10 miles or more inland, crops could be lost to …

hurricane warning

Millions in Agricultural Crops at Risk as Dorian Approaches Florida

Dan Alabama, Cattle, Citrus, Field Crops, Florida, Forestry, Fruits, General, Georgia, Industry, Industry News Release, Livestock, Nursery Crops, Organic, Specialty Crops, Sugar, Vegetables, Water, Weather

GAINESVILLE, FL (UF/IFAS) — If Hurricane Dorian makes landfall mid-way up Florida’s Atlantic Coast – as many models predicted Thursday afternoon – the storm could devastate not only Central Florida tourist destinations, but also the region’s agricultural areas, which include significant acreage devoted to citrus, vegetable, ornamental plant and cattle production. Economists and Extension faculty with the University of Florida …

hurricane warning

All Eyes on Dorian as it Approaches U.S.

Dan Florida, Weather

Across Florida all eyes are on Hurricane Dorian. Wednesday, Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 26 counties in anticipation of a powerful hit from the storm. The order covers numerous functions of state government, while also clearing the way for agreements with other states to coordinate resources. According to the News Service of Florida, the order covers all …