Lantana is currently one of the top 10 most troublesome weeds in Florida. Although it is still sold as an ornamental, commercial varieties are sterile and considered to be non-invasive. It can quickly invade disturbed sites by producing plant toxins in its roots and stems, that either slow the growth of other plants or totally remove them. These leaf toxins are damaging to grazing animals. If animals consume the leaves, they often begin to show symptoms of skin peeling or cracking. Once animals show these symptoms, there is little or no treatment that can reverse the process. Although lantana’s leaves are poisonous, its berries are not. Birds readily consume the fruit and disperse the seed. This 2-page fact sheet was written by J. Ferrell, B. Sellers, and E. Jennings, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, February 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag368
Category: Livestock
Uterine Microbiology of Healthy Cows and Cows That Develop Uterine Disease (VM182/)
The dairy cow is unique because virtually all cows are infected with bacteria right after calving. A recent study that used metagenomic analysis to characterize the uterine flora in healthy and metritic cows observed that most clone sequences from the metritic cows were from the phylum Fusobacteria. This 4-page fact sheet summarizes what is known about the pathogenic bacteria associated with metritis and endometritis. Written by Klibs N. Galvão and published by the UF Department of Veterinary Medicine-Large Animal Clinical Sciences, January 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm182
Association between Immune Function and Development of Uterine Disease in Dairy Cows (VM181)
A sharp decrease in glucose and sodium during the transition to lactation makes dairy cows more susceptible to uterine disease. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Klibs N. Galvão, and published by the UF Department of Veterinary Medicine-Large Animal Clinical Sciences, January 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm181
El Caballo Pura Raza Española (AN275)
El caballo Pura Raza Española (P.R.E), conocido también como el Andaluz, es de una elegante raza con ascendencias que se extienden miles de años en el pasado a la región de Andalucía de la Península Ibérica (Cuadro 1). Estos animales desarrollaron gran agilidad, fortaleza, y belleza al lidiar con el terreno escabroso y los animales salvajes, incluyendo toros fieros, de la región.
This 4-page fact sheet is the Spanish lanugage version of AN269, The Purebred Spanish Horse. It was written by María L. Mandina and Jorge R. Rey, and published by the UF Department of Animal Science, December 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an275
Best Practice Checklist for Management of a Swine Show for Youth (AN274)
The management team for a swine show for youth should have a plan to manage the facilities, pigs, and personnel in a way that allows the show to be as stress-free and educational as possible. This 3-page fact sheet includes a checklist of information about unloading pigs, the size of the show ring, and pig handling training so that show managers know how to prepare for their show. Written by Chad Carr and Justin Crosswhite, and published by the UF Department of Animal Science, December 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an274
Common Green Bottle Fly Sheep Blow Fly Luciia sericata (Meigen) (Insecta: Diptera: Calliphoridae) (EENY502/IN903)
The common green bottle fly is a common visitor to carrion, feces, and garbage. Like many of the other blow flies, it plays an important role in forensic, medical and veterinary science. Larvae or maggots help forensic scientists to determine the period of insect colonization as it relates to the time of death, aiding law enforcement in their investigations. Medical treatment using maggot therapy can help to heal infections that are otherwise incurable. Learn more in this 5-page fact sheet written by Matthew Anderson and Phillip E. Kaufman, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in903
Conducting a Successful Livestock Show for Youth (AN268)
Want to plan a livestock show for youth that will serve as the educational summit of the livestock project experience? Make sure the entire event is as stress-free as possible for the livestock, youth exhibitors, their families, and show management and as educational as possible for youth exhibitors, their families, and all public spectators. Consider the recommendations in this 4-page fact sheet written by Chad Carr, Justin Crosswhite, Jennifer Shike, and Heather Shultz, and published by the UF Department of Animal Science, December 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an268
The Florida Bull Test 2010-2011 (AN273)
The North Florida Research and Education Center in Marianna, Florida annually hosts the Florida Bull Test. By controlling environmental factors and taking Expected Progeny Differences (EPD’s) into account, the data emphasizes the dual importance of genetics and environment in all cattle types. Beef cattle producers can use this information to select superior cattle for the best possible herd. This 5-page fact sheet provides the results of the 2010-11 Florida bull test. Written by G. Cliff Lamb and Nicolas DiLorenzo, and published by the UF Department of Animal Science, November 2011. (UF/IFAS photo by Thomas Wright)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an273
Bracken Fern Control in Pastures (SSAGR357/AG366)
Bracken fern is a poisonous plant common along tree lines, in forest openings, and around building borders. Animals will consum it when adequate forage is not available. Learn more in this 2-page fact sheet was written by J. Ferrell, B. Sellers, and T. Wilson , and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, December 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag366
Strategies for Cost-Effective Supplementation of Beef Cattle (SSANS14/AN085)
Forage should provide the majority of the nutrition for the beef herd. Seasonal forage growth and changes in forage quality challenge most cattle managers to provide adequate nutrition at reasonable costs. This 6-page fact sheet gives several alternatives to consider in your cow-calf production system. Written by Matt Hersom and W.E. Kunkle, and published by the UF Department of Animal Science, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an085
The Long-term Contribution of Phosphorus from Agricultural Lands to Lake Okeechobee (SL357/SS558)
This 7-page fact sheet uses a new procedure to evaluate the soil from active and abandoned dairies in the Lake Okeechobee watershed to determine their potential to negatively impact water quality through phosphorus release. Written by V.D. Nair, M. Chrysostome, and W.G. Harris, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss558
The Purebred Spanish Horse (AN269)
The Purebred Spanish Horse, also known as the Andalusian or the Pura Raza Español, is an elegant breed with ancestors dating back thousands of years to the Andalusian region of the Iberian Peninsula. The horse evolved to have catlike agility, power, and beauty because it faced rugged terrain and needed to co-exist with local wildlife, including wild bulls. Learn more in this 4-page fact sheet was written by María L. Mandina and Jorge R. Rey, and published by the UF Department of Animal Science, September 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an269
Comparison of Hay or Round Bale Silage as a Means to Conserve Forage (AN266)
Florida’s climate makes conserving forages for later feeding challenging. Traditional hay harvest systems require optimal cutting, drying, and baling weather conditions. The use of round bale silage overcomes several of the challenges to hay production in Florida and offer an attractive compliment to traditional hay harvest systems. Learn more in this 6-page fact sheet written by Matt Hersom, Todd Thrift, and Joel Yelich, and published by the UF Department of Animal Science, August 2011. (Photo: Thomas Wright, UF/IFAS)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an266
Improving Dairy Cow Metabolism through Safflower Oil Supplementation (AN271)
Data collected in Florida studies indicate that feeding fat supplements that decrease milk fat test during the early postpartum period may help minimize negative energy balance, reduce body fat mobilization, and improve blood levels of beneficial metabolic and reproductive hormones. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Lokenga Badinga, Richard D. Miles, and Cristina Caldari-Torres, and published by the UF Department of Animal Science, September 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an271
The Use and Economic Value of the 3K SNP Genomic Test for Calves on Dairy Farms (AN270)
The availability of genomic tests is rapidly changing genetics in the dairy industry. AI companies have been using genomics to select AI sires. Now also commercial dairy producers can find value in testing their calves to help decide which ones to keep. This 5-page fact sheet was written by Albert De Vries, David T. Galligan, and John B. Cole, and published by the UF Department of Animal Science, September 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an270
The Impact of Production Technologies Used in the Beef Cattle Industry (AN272)
The use of technologies in the beef industry is a major contributor to the safe, wholesome, and affordable beef supply in the United States. This 4-page fact sheet provides a brief evaluation of the effects that individual technologies have on beef production. Written by Matt Hersom, Todd Thrift, and Joel Yelich , and published by the UF Department of Animal Science, September 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an272
Prickly Pear Cactus Control in Pastures (SSAGR354/AG363)
Prickly pear cactus is not a problem in every pasture in Florida, but where it is found, it is often the biggest and most difficult issue to manage: mowing prickly pear fragments the pads and dramatically increases the infestation, and although prickly pear doesn’t form dense canopies and doesn’t outcompete desirable forage grasses, its impact on grazing can be just as severe because of its barbed quills. This 2-page fact sheet was written by J. A. Ferrell and B. A. Sellers, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, September 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag363
Flat-top Goldenrod (Euthamia caroliniana): Biology and Control in Pastures (SS-AGR-353/AG361)
This perennial plant, which flowers September – November with flat-topped inflorescence consisting of many yellow ray and disk flowers, is a common weed found in pastures with low levels of management. Learn more in this 3-page fact sheet was written by B. A. Sellers and J. A. Ferrell and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, September 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag361
Dogfennel (Eupatorium capillifolium): Biology and Control (SSAGR224/AG233)
Dogfennel is currently the number one most commonly occurring pasture weed in Florida. Many people think it is only unsightly, but it causes significant bahiagrass yield loss and can cause dehydration when ingested by cattle. This 3-page fact sheet was written by B. A. Sellers and J. A. Ferrell and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, September 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag233
Converting the Beef Cow Herd to a Controlled Breeding Season (AN267)
Implementing a controlled breeding season to manage the length of the calving season is a cost-effective management practice. This 4-page fact sheet describes a 3- to 4-year conversion program beef cattle producers can follow. Written by Tim Wilson, Cindy Sanders, Mark Warren, Matt Hersom, and Curt Lacy, and published by the UF Department of Animal Science, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an267