By Breanna Kendrick The University of Florida is developing simulation software that calculates crop growth to estimate yields for different crops in varying environments. These modeling tools can be run on computers quickly and can calculate how a yield might change in future climates. Senthold Asseng is a professor at the University of Florida who develops mathematical modeling and computer …
NIFA Invests in Research to Solve Critical Water Problems
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced seven grants for research that will provide solutions to critical water problems across the United States. These awards were made through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Water for Food Production Systems Challenge Area. AFRI is authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill and administered by …
Commissioner Putnam Announces 2019 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Honorees
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam and the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Foundation announced the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame inductees for 2019. The induction ceremony will be held at the Florida State Fair’s Agricultural Hall of Fame Banquet on Feb. 12, 2019. More information is available FloridaAgHallofFame.org. “Agriculture is Florida’s oldest industry, and it continues to support …
Groups Seek to Lift Stay in Conservation Money Case
Arguing that time “is of the essence,” environmental groups Wednesday requested that a judge lift a stay of a ruling that found state lawmakers did not properly carry out a 2014 constitutional amendment that requires spending on land and water conservation. Leon County Circuit Judge Charles Dodson in July ruled in favor of groups such as the Florida Wildlife Federation …
Putnam Names Dr. Ann Blount the 2018 Woman of the Year in Agriculture
Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced that Dr. Ann Blount has been named the 2018 Woman of the Year in Agriculture. Dr. Blount has dedicated her career to researching and implementing innovative techniques to improve fall forage production in Florida’s southern coastal areas. The award, now in its 34th year, recognizes women who have made outstanding contributions to Florida …
Florida Dairy Production Conference is Next Week
The 54th Florida Dairy Production Conference will be held September 26 at the Straughn IFAS Extension Professional Development Center in Gainesville. The program starts at 9:00 a.m. and will include topics like team building to maximize performance and animal welfare, the economics of animal welfare, how to implement a successful milk quality program, the impact of transition disorders on production …
State Funnels More Money to Addressing Water Woes
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is pumping another $4 million into efforts to help local communities suffering from red tide and a massive algae outbreak, raising spending to $13 million for the water problems. The agency’s money will be used in Pinellas, Manatee, Collier, Sarasota, Lee and Martin counties. The added spending, announced Tuesday by Gov. Rick Scott’s office, …
Revamping Communication with Citrus Growers
Florida citrus growers now have a one-stop-shop for everything citrus research coming out of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). A new website, monthly enewsletter and monthly podcast was announced by UF/IFAS last month during the Citrus Expo. Jack Payne, senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources with UF, says this “All In for …
Report Shows Florida Agriculture, Natural Resources and Food Industries Grew 2007-2016
The latest installment of an annual report from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences reveals some good news about the state’s economy – from 2007 to 2016, the portion of Florida’s Gross State Product (GSP) generated by agriculture, natural resources and food industries grew at a faster rate than the state’s total GSP, a statistic commonly …
Florida Youth Institute Challenging High School Students
The University of Florida (UF) has enjoyed seeing skyrocketing enrollment in its College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. The Florida Youth Institute was developed to make sure UF produces enough graduates to fill job vacancies, says Jack Payne, UF senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources. Florida Youth Institute Challenging High School Students Sponsored ContentStrong Relationship Exists Between the …