“ Pretty ” Termites do the Most Damage

Termites may be “pretty” in the eyes of a scientist, but don’t let good looks fool you: The prettier termites are more destructive than their uglier counterparts, a University of Florida researcher says. Scientists who deem subterranean termites as “pretty” say they sport symmetrical traits and are more likely to come from mature colonies, said Thomas Chouvenc, a research assistant …

Eight Counties in Florida Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas

In response to a request from Debbie Folsom, Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) acting State Executive Director in Florida, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 8 counties in Florida as primary natural disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by a recent drought. Those counties are: Charlotte Glades Highlands Osceola DeSoto Hardee Okeechobee Polk Farmers and ranchers in the …

‘This Week in Agribusiness’ Host Visits Central Florida

Max Armstrong, host and anchor of nationally syndicated ‘This Week in Agribusiness’ television program, begins a quick two-day visit to Central Florida at Paquette’s Farmall Tractor Museum near Leesburg. AgNet Media Founder and President Gary Cooper is helping show Max around. Armstrong is presently president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB), and Cooper currently serves on the board …

Funding Helps Ranchers Conserve Florida Panther Habitat

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida is providing technical and financial assistance for conservation practices for ranchers in southwest Florida to get financial assistance for managing their property for wildlife, including the Florida panther.   Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New …

USDA Designates 19 Counties in Georgia as Primary Natural Disaster Area with Assistance to Producers in Florida

In response to a request from Dianne Westmoreland, Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) acting State Executive Director in Georgia, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 19 counties in Georgia as primary natural disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by freeze that occurred from March 15, 2017, through March 18, 2017. Those counties are: Appling Brooks Echols McIntosh …

UF study: Cloning insect-fungus duo kills 500 million trees

by Ellison Langford, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Laurel wilt disease has killed as many as half-a-billion trees. And,a new study by a researcher with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences suggests it may have been spread by a single insect cloning itself. “In biology, there is no evidence of a single strain …

Florida Producer Pleased with Beef Checkoff

  Over the past few weeks, we’ve been talking once again with Southeast producers about their beef checkoff and the various ways it has been instrumental. And in this weeks “Getting to know your beef checkoff” brought to you by your beef checkoff, Okeechobee, Florida rancher Flint Johns said he pleased with all the checkoff does.   Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture …

UF Study Helps Save Revenue, Farms From Wireworms

by Beverly James University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences  Scientists with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences are helping state growers save money by managing wireworms in their sweet potato farms. Wireworms became a problem in Florida after sweet potato growers converted fields previously used to grow grain crops, said Robert Hochmuth, director …