NFREC – EDIS Update

Condensed Tannins in Forage Legumes

The use of tannin-containing forages has received attention from researchers around the globe because of potential benefits of condensed tannins to livestock health and nutrition as well as possibilities to reduce methane emission. This new 4-page publication of the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department targets two audiences: Extension faculty who need information on potential benefits and negative effects of condensed tannins to livestock production, and producers who intend to feed tannin-containing forages in their operation. Written by Flavia van Cleef and Jose Dubeux.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag440

Overseeding Rhizoma Perennial Peanut Pasture and Hay Fields during the Cool Season

Hay and livestock producers want to know if they can overseed their rhizoma peanut fields with cool-season forages during rhizoma perennial peanut dormancy. This new 5-page document discusses overseeding for hay and overseeding for grazing. Written by Jose Dubeux, Cheryl Mackowiak, Ann Blount, David Wright, and Luana Dantas, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, January 2019.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag426

Forage-Based Heifer Development Program for North Florida

Developing replacement heifers to become productive females in the cow herd is a tremendous investment in a cow-calf operation that takes several years to make a return. Fortunately, there are several options to develop heifers on forage-based programs that can help reduce costs while meeting required industry performance targets. This new 4-page document proposes a model for replacement heifer development based on forage research trials at the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center (UF/IFAS NFREC) in Marianna, FL. Written by Jose Dubeux, Nicolas DiLorenzo, Kalyn Waters, and Jane C. Griffin, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, October 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag424

The Florida Bull Test 2016-2017

The 17th annual Florida Bull Test Sale was held on January 21, 2017 at the conclusion of the 2016-2017 Florida Bull Test. The test evaluated the performance potential and breeding soundness of bulls consigned to the program at the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC). This new 9-page fact sheet discusses test procedures, assessment of feed efficiency, test rules and regulations, health requirements, and test results. Written by Luara B. Canal, G. Cliff Lamb, and Nicolas DiLorenzo, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Animal Sciences, February 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an341

The Florida Bull Test 2015-2016

The 16th annual Florida Bull Test Sale was held on January 16, 2016 at the conclusion of the 2015–2016 Florida Bull Test. The test evaluated the performance potential and breeding soundness of bulls consigned to the program at the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC). This 10-page fact sheet covers the test procedures, assessment of feed efficiency, general policies and procedures, health requirements, test results, and sale summary. Written by Carla D. Sanford, G. Cliff Lamb, and Nicolas DiLorenzo, and published by the UF Department of Animal Sciences, November 2016.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an328

Carinata Production in Florida

Brassica carinata is a promising oilseed crop with great potential for profitable cultivation in Florida. Its high oil content and favorable fatty acid profile make it suitable for the biofuel industry, especially as a biojet fuel. The UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC) in Quincy, Florida, has been working to identify advanced carinata genotypes that are high yielding (seed and oil), disease resistant, early maturing, and adapted to Florida. The work at NFREC is being done in conjunction with Agrisoma Biosciences Inc., a crop company that has the world’s largest collection of carinata germplasm. This 6-page fact sheet’s “Agronomic Management” section provides recommendations resulting from NFREC’s research. was written by C. M. Bliss, R. Seepaul, D. L. Wright, J. J. Marois, R. Leon, N. Dufault, S. George, and S. M. Olson, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, December 2014.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag389

Purple Sunset Pomegranate (Punica granatum ‘PIIPG-1’)

Purple Sunset is a new ornamental cultivar of pomegranate, Punica granatum. Purple Sunset pomegranate is distinguished from fruiting pomegranate by a bushy, compact habit and numerous flowers followed by small, ornamental, purple-black fruit. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Gary W. Knox, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, June 2014.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep501

Smooth-bark Mexican Pine (Pinus pseudostrobus)

This beautiful pine is distinguished by long, pendulous needles that form a graceful, open evergreen conifer. The slender needles are up to 12 inches long in groups (fascicles) of five. In its native environment, smooth-bark Mexican pine is considered fast growing, and can reach more than 120 feet tall and about 60 feet wide. In southern Georgia, trees have reached heights of 32 feet and widths of 25 feet in 10 years. Trees have a pyramidal form when young, becoming flat-topped with age. In its native range, smooth-bark Mexican pine grows in temperate to warm temperate areas with predominately summer rainfall. Florida’s similar climatic conditions suggest that smooth-bark Mexican pine will adapt well throughout the state. Cold hardiness is not well-defined, but this species has grown well in southern Georgia (USDA Cold Hardiness Zone 8b). This 2-page fact sheet was written by Gary W. Knox, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, June 2014.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep500

Bermudagrass Stem Maggot: A New Pest in Florida

Bermudagrass is a dominant hay crop in Florida. Now, hay producers are facing a new emerging pest problem in bermudagrass and stargrass production fields. The bermudagrass stem maggot, is a new exotic invasive fly. It was first discovered damaging bermudagrass pasture and hay fields in Georgia. The identification of the fly was the first record of this species in North America, and it has the potential to become a serious pest of bermudagrass and stargrass in Florida. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Ann Blount, Tim Wilson, Jay Ferrell, Russ Mizell, and Jonael Bosques, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, June 2014.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag384

Alternatives to Invasive Plants Commonly Found in Central Florida Landscapes

Based on years of UF/IFAS research producing and trialing cultivars, this 3-page fact sheet lists native and non-invasive, non-native ornamentals as alternatives to invasive plants commonly used in Central Florida landscapes. Only plants considered to be generally available in the nursery trade are listed. Alternative plants are similar to respective invasive plants as much as possible in terms of size, habit, texture, and flower color. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Gary W. Knox, Sandra B. Wilson, Zhanao Deng, and Rosanna Freyre, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, August 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep468

Alternatives to Invasive Plants Commonly Found in North Florida Landscapes (ENH1206/EP467)

Based on years of UF/IFAS research producing and trialing cultivars, this 3-page fact sheet lists native and non-invasive, non-native ornamentals as alternatives to invasive plants commonly used in Florida landscapes. Only plants considered to be generally available in the nursery trade are listed. Alternative plants are similar to respective invasive plants as much as possible in terms of size, habit, texture, and flower color.was written by Gary W. Knox, Sandra B. Wilson, Zhanao Deng, and Rosanna Freyre, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, August 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep467

Understanding the Effects of Forage Composition and Structure in Ruminant Nutrition (AN288)

Approximately 68% of the 16 million square miles of agricultural land worldwide is used for permanent pastures for livestock production. Fortunately, ruminants can convert plant matter that is inedible or of low nutritional value for monogastrics (i.e., swine or poultry) into calorically dense products of high nutritional value. However, the process of converting poor quality plant matter into useful nutrients for ruminants is complex. This 3-page fact sheet provides an overview and understanding of how forage composition and structure affect the nutritive value and nutrient availability to ruminants. Written by Kalyn M. Waters, Nicolas DiLorenzo, and G. Cliff Lamb, and published by the UF Department of Animal Sciences, March 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an288

Causes and Management of Insect and Mite Resistance in Strawberry Production (ENY841/IN713)

Episodes of pest resistance to popular pesticides can cause yield losses, reduction of fruit quality, added control costs, environmental degradation, and emotional stress among farmers. These consequences can be alleviated if resistance management is practiced throughout the strawberry industry. If they minimize pesticide application by depending more on biological and cultural pest control measures, and take care not to expose pest populations to pesticides with identical modes of action, growers can avoid causing pesticide resistance. This 8-page fact sheet was written by James F. Price and Curtis Nagle, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, November 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in713

Management of Insect and Mite Resistance in Ornamental Crops (ENY843/IN715)

Resistance of arthropods to crop management chemicals has been problematic since the early era of synthetic organic pesticides. During the 1970s and early 1980s leafminer outbreaks heavily damaged herbaceous ornamental crops such as chrysanthemum, gypsophila, aster, and marigold in fields, shade houses and greenhouses. Several effective insecticides including organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids, and a triazine were identified for leafminer control during the outbreak; however, control was short-lived as the leafminer developed resistance to each insecticide.This 11-page fact sheet was written by James F. Price, Elzie McCord, Jr., and Curtis Nagle, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, November 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in715

Alternatives to Synthetic Herbicides for Weed Management in Container Nurseries (ENH1203/EP464)

Weed management is one of the most critical and costly aspects of container nursery production. This is most effectively achieved through preventative practices, primarily with preemergent herbicides. But there are valid reasons for managing weeds with alternatives to synthetic herbicides, including sanitation, exclusion, prevention, hand weeding, mulching, and the use of cover crops, heat, and nonsynthetic herbicides. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Gary W. Knox, Matthew Chappell, and Robert H. Stamps, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, September 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep464

Environmental and Economic Benefits of Selecting Beef Cattle for Feed Efficiency (AN276/AN276)

Selecting for feed efficiency based on residual food intake can significantly impact the amount of nutrients consumed and excreted per cow without compromising animal performance. Fresh manure output and excretions of phosphorous and nitrogen could be reduced by 29%, while methane emissions can be reduced by as much as 28% when selecting more feed-efficient animals. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Nicolas DiLorenzo and G. Cliff Lamb, and published by the UF Department of Animal Science, February 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an276

Nursery Crop Selection and Market Niches (ENH1194/EP455)

The ultimate success of an ornamental production operation hinges on the ability of that operation to successfully understand which genera, species, and/or cultivars to grow on a year-to-year basis. This 5-page fact sheet describes several important factors that must be considered in order to properly assess which ornamental crops should be grown and which market niches exist that may dictate crop selection. Written by Gary Knox and Matthew Chappell and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, October 2011. UF/IFAS Photo by Josh Wickham.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep455

Forest Herbicide Characteristics (FOR283/FR345)

The effectiveness and safe use of herbicides registered for forest vegetation management in Florida requires developing site-specific herbicide prescriptions made with careful consideration of site factors and knowledge of the chemical and physical properties of herbicides and their effects on biological systems. This 9-page fact sheet was written by Anna Osiecka and Patrick J. Minogue, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, May 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr345

HS798/CV274 Vegetable Insect Identification and Management – Florida

Revised! HS798, a 24-page guide by S. E. Webb and R. C. Hochmuth, provides instruction in management and control of insects and mites in greenhouse vegetable production — crop scouting and monitoring, identification of insects and mites, record keeping, management strategies and tactics, banker plant system, insecticides and miticides, storage of pesticides, safety, and control of specific greenhouse pests. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, June 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/cv274

WEC285/UW330 Effects of Oil Spills on Marine and Coastal Wildlife

WEC285, a 4-page fact sheet by Holly K. Ober, provides an overview of direct and indirect effects of oil spills on wildlife, factors influencing the degree of impact, susceptibility of various types of wildlife, and the history of oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, May 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw330