UF Scientists Sequence Vanilla Genome

Dan Florida, Industry News Release, Research, Specialty Crops

Could Support Domestic Industry University of Florida scientists have sequenced the genome of Vanilla, which will help them select the best types for breeding new varieties of the popular plant to grow in Florida. Some consumers crave vanilla. The U.S. leads the world in imported vanilla beans, said Alan Chambers, an assistant professor of tropical fruit breeding and genetics at …

Bayer Driving Innovation Forward

Dan Field Crops, Research

The 2019 Commodity Classic is underway at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The five associations presenting the annual event are the American Soybean Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Sorghum Producers and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. Commodity Classic is a farmer-focused event featuring educational sessions, a large trade show and various speakers. But …

Gene Editing Development Stalled; NPPC Renews Call for USDA Oversight

Dan Industry News Release, Pork, Research

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is urging the Department of Agriculture to assume regulatory oversight of gene editing for livestock. The call from NPPC follows the slow pace of developing a regulatory framework at the Food and Drug Administration. NPPC says the process is “stalled” at FDA, and that “USDA is best equipped to oversee gene editing for livestock …

UF/IFAS Researchers Find Aromatic Strawberry Variety Grows in South Florida

Dan Florida, Fruits, Industry News Release, Research, Specialty Crops

As National Strawberry Day approaches on Feb. 27, University of Florida scientists have found another variety that can grow in South Florida. It’s largely unknown to American consumers, it’s temptingly tasty and it’s good for local markets, UF researchers say. Alan Chambers, an assistant professor of horticultural sciences with the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, led a team …

UF/IFAS Center to Take Integrated Approach to Solving Water, Land Use Issues

Dan Florida, Industry News Release, Research, Water

By taking a more holistic approach to challenging issues facing Florida, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers will share more and better information about water and land use, including farming and urban landscapes, with the establishment of a new center. Jack Payne, UF senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources, said the center will galvanize …

UF/IFAS Researchers: Robots May Run Future Farms

Dan Florida, Research, Technology

Agriculture, one of the world’s oldest vocations, is also one that continues to reinvent itself with new technology. From the introduction of the steel plow to automated tractors to modern fertilizer applications, technology has improved effectiveness and increased efficiency. In this evolution, durable materials like hot rolled carbon steel NY play a vital role, providing the strength needed for reliable …

Lone Cabbage Reef off Florida Coast

Dan Aquaculture, Florida, Research

Back in December, the University of Florida/IFAS held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate construction of a three-mile-long artificial reef off the Nature Coast. UF/IFAS Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Jack Payne, says they restored a large oyster reef. Images courtesy of University of Florida/IFAS. See more here. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners …

ARS Microscopy Research Helps Unravel the Workings of a Major Honey Bee Pest

Dan Industry News Release, Pollinators, Research

Research by scientists at the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the University of Maryland released today sheds new light — and reverses decades of scientific dogma — regarding a honey bee pest (Varroa destructor) that is considered the greatest single driver of the global honey bee colony losses. Managed honey bee colonies add at least $15 billion to the value of U.S. …

UAV-based Remote Sensing Can Help Avocado Growers by Detecting Asymptomatic Pathogen

Dan Florida, Fruits, Research

Remote imaging can effectively detect a pathogen that endangers the $100 million-a-year Florida avocado industry – even before the trees show symptoms — University of Florida scientists say. Yiannis Ampatzidis, an assistant professor of agricultural and biological engineering at the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, led recently published research that shows that multispectral cameras can detect laurel wilt …