Category: Popular

Common Questions When Using Soil Moisture Sensors for Citrus and Other Fruit Trees

Clusters of tangerines on a citrus tree. Photo taken 01-22-10.

This guide is for Extension personnel who may encounter questions from growers about the functioning and accuracy of soil moisture sensors (SMSs) for fruit tree production. The 4-page publication focuses on two types of handheld sensors currently used in Florida for irrigation management of citrus and other trees: the transmission line oscillator (TLO) and time-domain transmissometer (TDT). Written by Eric Herrera, Sandra M. Guzmán, and Eduart Murcia, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, February 2021.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae551

Lighting and Marking of Agricultural Equipment on Highways: Summary of ASAE Standard S279.18

Lighting and marking for towed implement.

Agricultural vehicles on public roads can pose risks to their drivers and to drivers of other vehicles. Proper lighting and marking increase visibility of the farm equipment. This 6-page publication summarizes agricultural equipment lighting and marking standards. Written by Serap Gorucu, Charles Brown, and Carol Lehtola, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, revised February 2021.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae175

Applications of Unmanned Aerial Systems in Agricultural Operation Management: Part III: Best Practices for Efficient Aerial Surveying

Agricultural drone setup at a crop field. Photo taken 01-22-20.

With the increasing use of unmanned aerial systems (UASs) in the agricultural domain, ensuring the consistency and completeness of aerial surveys is critical in order to establish repeatability and consistency in data collection activities. This publication covers five main steps to ensure that aerial data collections are repeatable and consistent among missions. It is one of a three-part series focusing on the applications, configuration, and best practices for using UASs in agricultural operations management. Written by Aditya Singh and James Fletcher, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, February 2021.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae553

Applications of Unmanned Aerial Systems in Agricultural Operation Management: Part II: Platforms and Payloads

Agricultural drone setup at a crop field. Photo taken 01-22-20.

Unmanned aerial systems (UASs, UAVs, or drones) have emerged as an important tool for farmers, Extension agents, and landowners to map, monitor, and manage their properties. This 5-page publication provides an overview of the primary components of typical UASs to help growers, landowners, and/or Extension agents who want to configure and/or purchase a UAS or sensor system for agricultural operations. This document is one of a three-part series focusing on the applications, configuration, and best practices for using UASs in agricultural operations management. Written by Aditya Singh and James Fletcher, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, February 2021.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae552

Purchasing Car Insurance: What College Students Should Know

Line of cars awaiting Covid-19 mobile testing. Photo taken 07-10-20.

Florida law requires drivers to have car insurance that provides financial protection in the event of a mishap. This 4-page publication provides an overview of auto insurance requirements in Florida as well as a glossary of car insurance terms for college students. Written by Nicholas Horvath, Jorge Ruiz-Menjivar, and Sarah M. Ellis, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, January 2021.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1493

Weed Management in Soybeans

This image was taken prior to national guidelines of face coverings and social distancing. Jim Marois, left, and David Wright, professors at the University of Florida’s North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy, check soybean plants for Asian soybean rust - Friday, July 1, 2005. First discovered in the United States in fall 2004, the crop-killing disease was found growing on cultivated soybeans for the first time this week, at early-planted "sentinel plots" in Florida and Alabama. To help protect the nation’s $16 billion soybean crop, UF researchers are monitoring plants around the state for signs of the disease.

Successful weed control is one of the most important practices for economical soybean production in Florida. This 10-page publication discusses weed control methods for soybean growers. Written by J. A. Ferrell, G. E. MacDonald, and P. Devkota, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, revised January 2021.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wg010

Publicly Available Geographic Information Sources and Common Analysis Tools

Biscayne Bay, south of Miami, Florida. Photo taken 06-18-18.

Geographic information and geospatial data are vital in many practical fields, including precision agriculture, natural resources management, flood zone mapping and management, and environmental assessment. This 6-page publication introduces publicly available geospatial data, including elevation, land use, soil, satellite imagery, and other thematic maps and GIS software commonly used in spatial analysis. Written by Satbyeol Shin and Young Gu Her, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, January 2021.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae550

Planning and Establishing On-Farm Field Trials

Horticultural Sciences (HS) students working garden plots at the teaching farm. Photo taken 10-09-20.

Planning and preparation can increase chances of successful outcomes from demonstration plots. This 5-page publication focuses on guiding the successful establishment of demonstration trials and is targeted to county, regional, and state specialized Extension faculty who aim to develop on-farm research and demonstration sites as part of their programs. Written by Marcelo Wallau, Esteban Rios, and Ann Blount, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, January 2021.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag447

Crop Water Use and Irrigation Scheduling Guide for North Florida

Rows of peanuts ready to be harvested. Photo taken 08-22-19.

Effective irrigation scheduling enables the irrigator to apply the right amount of water at the right time to meet the crop water demand. This 19-page guide presents information on average daily and weekly crop water use and crop growth stages for twelve north Florida crops that can be used to help schedule irrigation. This will allow a grower to develop a realistic irrigation schedule that minimizes plant water stress, saves water, and reduces nutrient leaching potential. Written by Vivek Sharma, Charles Barrett, De Broughton, and Thomas Obreza, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Soil and Water Sciences, revised December 2020.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss491

Consejos Basicos para Disenar Sistemas Eficientes de Riego

Drip irrigation system for citrus.

Este documento provee un panorama básico de los factores más importantes al diseñar. Written by Haimanote K. Bayabil, Kati W. Migliaccio, Michael Dukes, Laura Vasquez, and Carlos Balerdi, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, December 2020.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae549

How Is Our Future Climate Projected?

Storm rising over a farm.

Climate is the long-term patterns and fluctuations in air and moisture. This 5-page article explains how future climate is projected using mathematical models and introduces common scientific terms used when discussing climate change. Written by Young Gu Her, Zachary Brym, Ashley Smyth, and Elias Bassil, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, November 2020.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae546

How Are Our Future Agriculture and Natural Resources Projected under Varying Climate?

Storm rising over a farm.

This 8-page article explains how agriculture and natural resources may respond to projected future climate and how climate projections can be useful in developing management plans for the improved sustainability of Florida's agriculture and natural resources. It also aims to help increase the public awareness of climate change impacts on Florida and improve understanding of the connections among climate, agriculture, and natural resources. Written by Young Gu Her, Ashley Smyth, Zachary Brym, and Elias Bassil, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, September 2020.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae545

Anhidrosis in the Horse (Non-Sweaters)—What Do We Know?

A horse participating in a teaching demonstration at the Horse Teaching Unit. Photo taken 05-15-19.

This 3-page document provides an overview of anhidrosis in horses, including symptoms and management tips. Written by Laura Patterson-Rosa, Martha F. Mallicote, Robert J. MacKay, and Samantha A. Brooks, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Animal Sciences, October 2020.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an362

Online Sources for Sea Level Rise Education and Extension

Volunteers planting saltmeadow cord grass as part of a living shoreline restoration project. Photo taken 08-28-20.

The impacts of sea level rise on ecosystems and natural resources are a major concern in Florida, especially in low-lying coastal areas such as south Florida. Sea level rise can impact many aspects of Florida's economy, including urban development, agriculture, infrastructure, and natural areas. This 16-page document introduces, evaluates, and summarizes selected available online sources and tools to educate diverse stakeholders and concerned local residents on important aspects of sea level rise. Written by Young Gu Her, Ashley Smyth, Jiangxiao Qiu, Elias Bassil, Ulrich Stingl, and Laura Reynolds, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, June 2020.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae543

Applications of Unmanned Aerial Systems in Agricultural Operation Management: Part I: Overview

Agricultural drone setup at a crop field. Photo taken 01-22-20.

Unmanned aerial systems (UASs, UAVs, or drones) have emerged as one of the most promising technologies for agricultural operation management in recent decades. This 6-page publication provides an overview of the broad areas where UASs can be utilized for monitoring and managing farm operations. Written by James Fletcher and Aditya Singh, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, June 2020.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae541

Tax Relief in Disaster Situations

Through its Hurricane Preparedness for Hotels and Motels Program, the Florida Energy Extension Service helps the tourist industry keep guests safe during lightning storms.

This 1-page document provides general information regarding disaster assistance and links to online resources for taxpayers affected by a federally declared disaster. Written by Jorge Ruiz-Menjivar and Heidi Copeland, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised September 2020.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fm259

Florida H2OSAV Insights: Home Water Use in the Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) Service Territory

Sprinkler head with water, grass. UF/IFAS Photo: Joah Wickham.

This 6-page fact sheet discusses basics about water consumption for single-family, detached homes served by Gainesville Regional Utilities, information about the highest water users, and impacts of irrigation on water consumption. Written by Nick Taylor, Kaitlin Olander Robb Price, Bradley Spatz, Tricia Kyzar, and Pierce Jones, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, September 2020.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae544

Bagasse: A Potential Organic Soil Amendment Used in Sugarcane Production

Pile of bagasse collected at the US Sugar processing plant in Clewiston, FL.

Bagasse is an agricultural by-product derived from the sugarcane milling process. It is a dry and fibrous residue left after the extraction of sugar juice from sugarcane. This 5-page document is a preliminary investigation into the possible effects of using bagasse as a soil amendment. Written by Jehangir H. Bhadha, Nan Xu, Raju Khatiwada, Stewart Swanson, and Chris LaBorde, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Soil and Water Sciences, August 2020.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss690

Adjusting Crop Yield to a Standard Moisture Content

Corn stalks growing in a field.

Since there are different ways to report moisture (as a decimal or as a percentage), and because the calculation seems intuitive, there is some confusion among agricultural professionals about how to adjust yield to a standardized moisture content. This 4-page publication aims to clarify the concept and the math. Written by Michael J. Mulvaney and Pratap Devkota, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, May 2020.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag442

Mite Pests of Southern Highbush Blueberry in Florida

Southern red mite shed skins.

This 4-page document discusses life cycles, damage, monitoring, and management of southern red mites and false spider mites in southern highbush blueberries. Written by Oscar E. Liburd, Lorena Lopez, and Doug Phillips, and published by the UF/IFAS Entomology and Nematology Department, June 2020.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1284