Facts About Folate

A pile of shelled, Florida Fancy variety peanuts

Everyone needs folate. It is especially important for women who can become pregnant. Pregnant and nursing women, growing children, and older adults also need plenty of folate. This 2-page fact sheet is a major revision that discusses folate requirements, ways to meet those requirements, and possible effects of folate deficiency. Written by Linda B. Bobroff, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised February 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy186

Healthy Living: Diabetes Care During Sick Days

Hand held electronic diabetes monitoring devices. Metabolic diseases, blood sugar. Image used in the 2012 Annual Research Report.

When you are sick, your blood glucose levels are harder to regulate. Being sick often causes blood glucose levels to rise, which can lead to serious health conditions. It is important to have a plan to manage your sick days so you are prepared ahead of time. This 3-page fact sheet is a major revision that provides information on the ways illness can affect blood glucose, suggestions for easy foods to have on hand, and a checklist to use when deciding whether a call to a doctor is in order. Written by Jennifer Hillan, Emily Minton, and Linda B. Bobroff, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised February 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy884

Effective Use of Genomics in Commercial Dairy Farms

Closeup of a bull.

Genomic selection refers to selection decisions based on genomic-estimated breeding values. These genomic breeding values are calculated using genetic markers across the entire genome. This technology has revolutionized dairy cattle breeding globally. This new 4-page fact sheet discusses the effects of genomics on dairy sire selection. Written by Francisco Peñagaricano, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Animal Sciences, February 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an340

Efficacy of Herbicide Active Ingredients Against Aquatic Weeds

Hydrilla in a lake

Weed control is often a critical component of aquatic vegetation management in Florida waters. While physical, mechanical, and biological controls are utilized where they are feasible, herbicides are the primary tool used to control many troublesome species. This document answers some common questions and provides efficacy information for all herbicide active ingredients labeled for aquatic use in Florida. Written by S. F. Enloe, M. D. Netherland, W. Haller, and K. Langeland, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, revised February 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag262

How Much Does Bad Hay Cost a Beef Cattle Producer?

Hay bales in a field.

Everyone likes a good bargain, but when it comes to hay, low price often equates to low nutritional value. Because hay is often sold on a large round-bale basis, savings from the good bargain can decrease substantially if there is a negative impact on the cow herd nutritional program. This 4-page fact sheet discusses intake limitations, energy limitations, protein limitations, examples of hay quality, and bad hay’s impact on cow body condition. Written by Matt Hersom and Todd Thrift, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Animal Sciences, February 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an339

Seguridad Alimentaria: Juegatela seguro con los huevos

Fresh eggs at the farmers market downtown union street.

Los huevos frescos pueden contener bacterias que podrían causar una enfermedad llamada salmonelosis. Esta enfermedad causada por alimentos provoca vómito y diarrea. Esta puede ser severa y hasta podría ser fatal para los adultos de mayor edad. Reduzca el riesgo de contraer esta enfermedad al seguir estas pautas. Written by Linda B. Bobroff and Jennifer Hillan, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised February 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy194

Citrus Production Guide: Plant Growth Regulators

Citrus groves around Lake Alfred, Florida. Oranges, fruit, trees. UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones.

Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are a tool used to manipulate vegetative and reproductive growth, flowering, and fruit growth and development. PGRs have been successfully used in agriculture for decades to amend plant growth characteristics to maximize yield and grower profit. This new 4-page fact sheet discusses auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, abscisic acid, ethylene, new classes of plant hormones, use of PGRs for HLB-affected trees, and general considerations for PGR use in Florida citrus groves. Written by Tripti Vashisth, Chris Oswalt, Mongi Zekri, Fernando Alferez, and Jamie D. Burrow, and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, February 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1310

The Art of Goodbye: Putting Your Legal and Financial Affairs in Order

Thinking, discussing, and acting ahead of time will help reduce the social discomfort associated with death and dying.

Making final legal and financial decisions can often be an uncomfortable and complex process. This 4-page document from The Art of Goodbye series is designed to help you consider your specific circumstances and gather the information you will need when talking with professionals who will work to carry out your wishes. Written by Brenda C. Williams, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, January 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1472

Seguridad Alimentaria: Su cocina pasa la prueba?

Cutting vegetables and food preparation.

Los adultos mayores corren un mayor riesgo de contraer enfermedades transmitidas por alimentos. Para ayudar a reducir el riesgo, es importante tener prácticas de manipulación de alimentos sanas. Cómo se compara su cocina? Written by Jennifer Hillan and Linda B. Bobroff, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised January 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1163

Economic Value of Genetic Merit of Dairy Semen

Closeup of a bull.

Attempts to calculate the economic value of semen have been made since at least the 1970s. The basic calculations have since become available (Dechow 2016). This new 3-page fact sheet reviews these calculations, adds a few other considerations, and offers estimates of the worth of the genetics of dairy semen. Written by Albert De Vries, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Animal Sciences, January 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an338

Basic Concepts of Dairy Sire Selection

Closeup of a bull.

Sire selection is one of the most important decisions that a dairy producer makes. It represents a great opportunity to improve the profitability of the dairy production enterprise. This new 3-page fact sheet reviews some key concepts that should be considered in order to make proper selection decisions and discusses alternative methods for selecting sires based on multiple traits. Written by Francisco Peñagaricano, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Animal Sciences, January 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an337

South Florida Tropicals: Avocado

Avocados growing on a tree. Avocado fruit. UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones.

This 4-page fact sheet is a major revision that discusses the background, availability, selection, ripening, storage, uses, yield, nutritive value, and basic, safe preparation of the avocado. The document also contains several avocado-based recipes. Written by Linda B. Bobroff and Amy Simonne, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised January 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/he606

Florida 4-H Shotgun Record Book

UF/IFAS Extension 4-H archery and flintlock shooting tournament. April 2005 at 4-H Camp Ocala.

This 11-page project book discusses goals of the National 4-H Shooting Sports Program and allows 4-H members to record goals and objectives for the year, 4-H Shooting Sports activities, learning experiences, community service, service, learning, and leadership, equipment inventory, finances related to their projects, practice sessions, competitions, and placings in order to help them document their growth, development, and progress. Written by Julie P. Dillard and Gerald Culen, and published by the UF/IFAS 4-H Youth Development Department, November 2017.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/4h378

Raising Healthy Children: Age Five

Alachua County kindergarten students touch a 2-month-old calf during the annual dairy-day event held at the University of Florida's Dairy Science Unit in Hague, Friday - Dec. 12, 2003. Children tour the facility, learn about dairy production and even enjoy some ice cream. Students in UF's College of Agricultural and Life Sciences organized the event.

This publication is designed to give you some information about the social, mental, and physical development of your five-year-old child. This new 5-page fact sheet discusses nutrition, eating behaviors, healthy food options, cooking activities, and physical activity. Written by Claire Marie Fassett and Karla P. Shelnutt, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, January 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1475

Healthy Meal Plans

Cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli and onions in a fresh salad. Food, vegetables, healthy eating. UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones.

A meal plan is a guide to help you plan daily meals and snacks. It allows you to eat foods you enjoy that provide a good balance of nutrients for your health. Meal plans can be used by anyone interested in healthy eating, and they are very helpful for people who want to manage their weight. This 20-page fact sheet is a major revision that discusses meal plans, food lists, and healthy choices. Written by Linda B. Bobroff, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised December 2017.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy522

Lamb and Variety Meat Retail Identification Cuts

People judging sheep at the Animal Sciences Meat and Livestock Judging Clinic. Lambs, meat science. UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones.

This new poster includes all of the lamb and variety meat cuts, primals, and cooking methods that are included in the Florida 4-H Meat Judging Contest. This contest, coordinated by the Florida 4-H Animal Sciences program, develops life skills through activities related to the processing of beef, pork, and lamb, including retail identification, meat quality factors, and cooking methods. Written by Brian Estevez, Chad Carr, and Larry Eubanks, and published by the UF/IFAS 4-H Youth Development Department, December 2017.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/4h381

Beef Retail Identification Cuts

Ground beef

This new poster includes all of the beef cuts, primals, and cooking methods that are included in the Florida 4-H Meat Judging Contest. This contest, coordinated by the Florida 4-H Animal Sciences program, develops life skills through activities related to the processing of beef, pork, and lamb, including retail identification, meat quality factors, and cooking methods. Written by Brian Estevez, Chad Carr, and Larry Eubanks, and published by the UF/IFAS 4-H Youth Development Department, December 2017.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/4h380

Pork Retail Identification Cuts

Raw pork being butchered at the University of Florida's meat lab.

This new poster includes all of the pork cuts, primals, and cooking methods that are included in the Florida 4-H Meat Judging Contest. This contest, coordinated by the Florida 4-H Animal Sciences program, develops life skills through activities related to the processing of beef, pork, and lamb, including retail identification, meat quality factors, and cooking methods. Written by Brian Estevez, Chad Carr, and Larry Eubanks, and published by the UF/IFAS 4-H Youth Development Department, November 2017.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/4h379

Healthy Eating: Lowering Your Blood Pressure with DASH

Basket of fresh tomatoes and bell peppers.

One eating plan that has been shown to prevent and reduce high blood pressure is DASH. This 3-page fact sheet is a major revision that discusses the DASH eating plan, its importance, foods included in the eating plan, and servings. Written by Valerie Weyenberg, Karla P. Shelnutt, and Linda B. Bobroff, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised December 2017.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1128

Nutrition at Early Stages of Life Determines the Future Growth and Reproductive Performance of Dairy Calves

A dairy calf. Photo taken 04-01-17.

For a calf, nutrition during the first few months of its life may permanently change the way organs develop and then have long-term consequences. The concept that metabolic imprinting may permanently affect animal development has substantial economic implications for agriculture. This 6-page fact sheet summarizes some of the research conducted in calf nutrition and its impact on the growth and reproductive performance of dairy calves. Written by Philipe Moriel and Luiz Ferraretto, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Animal Sciences, December 2017.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an336