Many folks across the Southeast, especially in Florida, have been working hard in their preparations for Hurricane Ian. Mark Oppold reports that includes University Extension staff.
New UF/IFAS Blueberry Lab Nearing Completion
Research efforts continue with a variety of crops at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), and that includes blueberries. And those researchers are looking forward to the completion of the new blueberry lab. UF-IFAS Senior Vice President, Dr. Scott Angle, noted to Southeast AgNet that their top-notch blueberry breeding program will get a boost from this new …
UF Scientist Receives Federal Grant to Reduce Heat Stress in Cattle
Right now the summertime heat is top of the news for a large portion of the U.S. And every year across the country the heat causes $300 million in damage to cattle. This is the reason why University of Florida scientists are working to try to cool the animals and increase their beef production. The newest scientific effort will be …
Florida Pesticide Applicators Can Now Take Licensing Exams Online
(UF-IFAS/GAINESVILLE, Fl/Feb. 28, 2022) — In Florida, pesticide licensing exams help ensure the state’s approximately 70,000 pesticide applicators follow state regulations and best practices for mitigating the impact of chemicals on the environment. Historically, the exam has only been offered in person at pre-scheduled times. The UF/IFAS Pesticide Information Office has announced that applicators will now have the option of …
BMPs Addressed in Bill
Florida Sen. Ben Albritton filed a bill (SB 1000) to address issues related to best management practices (BMPs), the Nov. 19 Florida Citrus Mutual Triangle newsletter reported. According to the Triangle, the bill addresses several issues stemming from outdated science supporting University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) nutrient recommendation rates pertaining to BMPs. The bill also …
70th UF/IFAS Florida Beef Cattle Short Course Starts Tuesday
The 70th Annual University of Florida/IFAS Beef Cattle Short Course kicks of Tuesday, May 4. This year’s event will be a scaled down virtual event that runs three evenings from 6:00 8:00 pm Eastern via Zoom. The program this year will focus on efficiency and its importance to the beef industry, and each night will consist of two speakers. Dr. Todd …
Florida Lawmakers Begin Budget Process
When it comes to the 2021 Florida Legislative session, the budget process has begun. According to University of Florida/IFAS Director of Governmental Affairs, Mary Ann Hooks, both the Senate and House Appropriations Subcommittees released the first version of their budget proposals this week. She notes fortunately, UF/IFAS did not receive any reductions to existing programs in the Senate subcommittee budget proposal. Plus, …
New Research Finds Genetic Markers for Cattle Health, Growth
New research efforts with cattle have found genetic markers which could help to improve breeding by giving ranchers desirable traits such as faster animal growth and greater resistance against disease. In a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) study, researchers uncovered links between genetic markers in beef cattle and the development of health and growth-promoting bacteria in an animal’s gastrointestinal …
Field-Testing Natural Compounds to Fight HLB
Field tests of numerous antibacterial products and plant-derived compounds are underway with the goal of eliminating the HLB-causing bacteria in citrus and reversing plant damage to restore tree health. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) plant root biologist Lorenzo Rossi discusses a new research project funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of …
2021 Florida Virtual Beef Conference
For the past 35 years, the Florida Panhandle Ag Extension Team has offered a cattle rancher educational program in Marianna that included a trade show. But, due to COVID19, the 2021 event will be a 90-minute webinar with two invited speakers, brief updates from cattle and forage researchers, and then a question and answer panel discussion. According to Doug Mayo, …