Sweet sorghum is not just for breakfast anymore. Although sorghum is a source for table syrup, scientists see a future in which we convert sorghum to biofuel, rather than relying on fossil fuel. That potential just grew as University of Florida researchers found three UF/IFAS-developed sorghum varieties could produce up to 1,000 gallons of ethanol per acre. “Sweet sorghum has …
APHIS Wildlife Services to Begin Field Trials on Feral Swine Toxic Bait
In November, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) accomplished two key tasks as part of its efforts to evaluate an oral toxic bait for use with invasive feral swine. First, on November 6, 2017, APHIS Wildlife Services (WS) received an Experimental Use Permit (EUP) from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to conduct sodium nitrite toxic bait field trials …
UF Web Tool Helps South Carolina, Florida Strawberry Growers
Strawberry growers in Florida and South Carolina are reaping the benefits of a UF/IFAS web-based system designed to ward off two deadly pathogens, a new University of Florida study shows. That’s good news as Florida’s strawberry growers start a new season. Strawberries pack a powerful economic punch nationwide and in the Sunshine state, bringing in $2.3 billion to the national …
100th Anniversary of the Citrus Research and Education Center
University of Florida officials, citrus scientists, growers and other stakeholders will gather at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) in Lake Alfred this Wednesday, November 29 for the 100th anniversary of the CREC. Dr. Jack Payne, University of Florida senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources, is looking forward to the big event. UF/IFAS Citrus REC celebrates …
Florida First Detectors Help ID Invasive Plant Pests Before They Spread
Florida has the most invasive species of any state in the country, and half of the insects, reptiles, arachnids and crustaceans imported into the United States come through Florida ports, University of Florida experts say. So, UF/IFAS has teamed up with government agencies to create the Florida First Detectors program, which teaches the public how to identify these insects before …
Bringing Persimmons into the Limelight
Persimmons are a sweet, flavorful fruit that hasn’t gotten much attention. That’s probably because many people don’t know what it is, how to eat it, or that it’s good for you. Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists and their collaborators are working to bring this uncommon Asian native fruit into the limelight. In 2016, the United States exported 7.4 million pounds of …
Pilot Research Projects Selected for Funding to Improve Agricultural Worker Safety and Health
The Southeastern Coastal Center for Agricultural Health and Safety is awarding more than $56,000 to three pilot research projects to improve the safety and health of agricultural workers. Scientists will use mobile app monitoring to prevent heat-related symptoms among Hispanic farmworkers; research mental, physical and occupational health issues among Haitian and Mexican migrant farmworkers; and identify work and movements to …
70th Anniversary for Indian River Research and Education Center
A big event will take place this Thursday, November 16th as the 70th Anniversary of the Indian River Research and Education Center in Ft. Pierce will be held. Dr. Jack Payne, University of Florida senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources, invites folks to attend. from Indian River Research and Education Center Seventy years of service to growers in …
USDA honors 2 UF/IFAS faculty with teaching excellence awards
UF has most USDA teaching awards Two faculty members with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) received Excellence in Teaching honors from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The awards were announced at the annual meeting of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 12. The USDA presents awards …
UF/IFAS Celebrates Partnership as it Commemorates Century of CREC
Whether they’ve faced problems with pests, pathogens, soils, water or natural disasters, growers have turned to scientists at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) for answers for the past 100 years. Scientists at the Citrus REC have worked with growers to help them produce the best fruit and juices available, UF/IFAS experts say. UF/IFAS officials, other dignitaries and …