Category: Agriculture

HACCP: An Overview (SHN0512/FS122)

Figure 1. Word cloud, or Wordle, illustrating many words associated with HACCPs, including GAPs, GMPs, traceback, and intervention. CC BY 2.0The acronym HACCP (pronounced /’hæ-sip/) stands for “Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point”. It is a food safety management system that is increasingly used in all aspects of the food industry. This 3-page fact sheet introduces the topic and summarizes the key components of a HACCP program. Written by R. Goodrich-Schneider, K. R. Schneider, M. D. Danyluk, and R. H. Schmidt, and published by the UF Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, May 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fs122

Measuring the Irrigation Requirement of Container-Grown Nursery Plants (ENH1197/EP458)

Figure 3. Irrigation collection cups are placed above canopy in the vicinity of test plants.Three factors determine the irrigation requirement for container-grown crops: evapotranspiration, capture factor, and distribution uniformity. This 4-page fact sheet describes how these factors can be measured so that irrigation requirements can be determined in the container nursery. Written by Jeff Million and Tom Yeager, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, June 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep458

Lesser Cornstalk Borer Damage to Sugarcane and the Effects of Tillage and Harvest Residue Management (ENY454/SC094)

Figure 1. Lesser cornstalk borer larva (sixth instar).This 6-page fact sheet provides an overview of this pest, its damage to sugarcane, and the plant’s response, and describes the results of a study of harvest residue and controlled tillage experiments. Written by Hardev S. Sandhu, Leslie E. Baucum, and Gregg S. Nuessly, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, May 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sc094

Use of Ultrasonography to Age Pregnancy in Early Gestation in Dairy Cows (VM184)

Easi-scan ultrasound scannerUsing ultrasonography for diagnosis and aging of pregnancy is becoming more widespread among bovine practitioners because it can be done earlier than by traditional methods, and because it can be used to monitor fetal development and determine fetal age and sex. This 3-page fact sheet presents a detailed measurement of the amniotic vesicle from 27 to 34 days after breeding so a more precise aging of early pregnancies can be performed. Written by Klibs N.A. Galvão, and published by the UF Department of Veterinary Medicine-Large Animal Clinical Sciences, May 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm184

Outbreaks of Foodborne Diseases Associated with Tomatoes (FSHN1208/FS192)

Figure 1. TomatoesConcerned about the safety of fresh-market tomatoes? This 5-page fact sheet highlights tomato-related outbreaks in the United States and Europe and reviews the locations and venues of tomato preparations as well as the severity of outbreaks. Written by Angela M. Valadez, Keith R. Schneider, and Michelle D. Danyluk, and published by the UF Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, May 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fs192

Growth, Reduction, and Survival of Bacteria on Tomatoes (FSHN1206/FS190)

scientist in laboratory working with tomato Tomato producers are committed to taking proactive steps to ensure and enhance the safety of their fresh-market tomatoes, but even with better food safety controls, the risk for outbreaks of illness associated with tomato consumption still exists. This 32-page fact sheet highlights current tomato safety related studies on the growth, reduction, and survival of bacteria on fresh-market tomatoes. The authors evaluated bacterial studies on natural antimicrobials and detergents, as well as food processing, cross-contamination, and shelf-life studies. Written by Angela M. Valadez, Keith R. Schneider, and Michelle D. Danyluk, and published by the UF Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, May 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fs190

Common Weed Hosts of Insect-Transmitted Viruses of Florida Vegetable Crops (ENY863/IN931)

Figure 1. Balsam apple (Momordica spp.)This 12-page fact sheet expands upon and updates the information on several weeds reported as virus hosts by UF/IFAS plant pathologists in 2001 and provides links to further information on specific viruses that affect vegetable crops. Written by Gaurav Goyal, Harsimran K. Gill, and Robert McSorley, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, April 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in931

Manual de los Reglamentos del Agua en Florida

sunset over water in Everglades National Park.Este manual está diseñado para proporcionar un resumen exacto, actual y autorizado, de las principales leyes Federales y de Florida que están directa o indirectamente relacionadas con la agricultura.
This series of 37 brief fact sheets is the Spanish language version of the Handbook of Florida Water Regulation. Published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, May 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_spa_manual_de_los_reglamentos_del_agua_de_florida

Potato Physiological Disorders – Brown Center and Hollow Heart (HS945/HS197)

Figure 1. Hollow heart in 'Atlantic'Brown center and hollow heart are internal noninfectious physiological disorders of the potato tuber. Brown center is characterized by a region of cell death in the pith of the tuber that results in brown tissue. Hollow heart is characterized by a star- or lens-shaped hollow in the center of the tuber This 2-page fact sheet was written by L. Zotarelli, C. Hutchinson, S. Byrd, D. Gergela, and D. L. Rowland, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, May 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs197

Potato Physiological Disorders – Growth Cracks (HS930/HS182)

ure 1. Moderate (left) and severe (right) growth cracks in 'Atlantic'Growth cracking is an external noninfectious physiological disorder of the potato tuber in which the tuber splits while growing. The split heals but leaves a fissure in the tuber. Growth cracks generally start at the bud or apical end of the potato and can extend lengthwise. They vary in severity from a surface abrasion to a split through the tuber, depending on the stage of growth during which the initial cracking occurred This 2-page fact sheet was written by L. Zotarelli, C. Hutchinson, S. Byrd, D. Gergela, and D. L. Rowland, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, May 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs182

Factors that Affect Calf Selling Price at Marketing (AN278)

Citra farm, University of Florida/IFAS Research and Education Center, beef cattle, calves, calf, cows, grass, field. UF/IFAS Photo: Josh Wickham.There are differences between the real and perceived reasons that cattle buyers discount calves; cattle producers can control some reasons for price differentials, but they cannot control all of them. This 4-page fact sheet will review some of the attributes that affect market calf price and overall value. Written by Matt Hersom and Todd Thrift, and published by the UF Department of Animal Science, May 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an278

Proper Use and Handling of Glyphosate in Plant Nurseries (ENH1198/EP459)

Figure 2. Too much glyphosate spray has been applied to this plant, and the runoff represents wasted money and time and could negatively affect non-target plants and animals.Glyphosate is the most used herbicide in the nursery industry in the United States. Used for postemergent control of vegetation, it controls annual and perennial grasses, broadleaves, and sedges. But it is easy to cause unintended damage to desirable vegetation if this product is used incorrectly. This 4-page fact sheet outlines the proper use of glyphosate for plant producers and their employees. Written by Shawn T. Steed and Robert H. Stamps and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, May 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep459

Risk Factors for Uterine Disease in Dairy Cows (VM183)

Keywords: cow, poppies, flowers, blossom, cattle, agriculture. Photo by Eric ZamoraUterine diseases are highly prevalent in high-producing dairy cows. Predictors of uterine disease include traditional risk factors, BHBA blood concentration, NEFA blood concentration, neutrophil glycogen stores and calcium. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Klibs N.A. Galvão, and published by the UF Department of Veterinary Medicine-Large Animal Clinical Sciences, May 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm183

Selecting Pigs for Youth Swine Shows (4HSWG04/4H210)

Figure 3. From left to right: a heavily muscled pig, a well-muscled pig ...Are you interested in participating in a swine show? This 8-page fact sheet will help youth exhibitors determine how and where to purchase a project pig and provide information on what the student should look for when purchasing the pig in order to do well. Published by the UF Department of 4-H Youth Development, April 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/4h210

How to Convert Liquid Fertilizer into Dry Fertilizer in Fertigation for Commercial Vegetable and Fruit Crop Production (HS1200/HS1200)

Figure 3. A 3-3-3 liquid fertilizer label. In recent years, more and more liquid fertilizers have been used in vegetable and fruit production. Typically, UF/IFAS recommendations are expressed as pounds per acre or kilograms per hectare. Thus, conversion either from a dry fertilizer basis (the UF/IFAS recommendation) to a liquid fertilizer basis, or from a liquid fertilizer source to the UF/IFAS recommended nutrient rate is often required for correct application rate. This 5-page fact sheet helps growers understand the conversion method from liquid to dry fertilizer. Written by Guodong Liu, David Sui, and Gary K. England, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, April 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1200

Soil Fumigation after Methyl Bromide: Managing Concentrations of Drip-Applied Metam Potassium for Nutsedge Control (HS1201)

Figure 1. Nutsedge sprouting through white polyethylene mulch.This 2-page fact sheet presents the results of studies conducted to determine the influence of metam potassium concentrations on purple nutsedge control. Written by Bielinski M. Santos and James P. Gilreath, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, April 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1201

Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (FOR288/FR356)

Figure 1. GIS data layers Image courtesy of Malahide, OntarioA GIS can be used in land management to document existing conditions, plan future operations, and archive completed work. Farming applications include soil productivity for different crops, crop yield prediction, and determining fertilizer and pesticide application rates. Forestry applications include estimating forest stand acreage, determining forest stand characteristics, and determining where to harvest. This 4-page fact sheet was written by John Lagrosa, Chris Demers, and Michael Andreu, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr356

IPM:Beyond Spraying (ENY2016/IN928)

image of posterIntegrated Pest Management, or IPM, is more than just spraying. Follow the five IPM steps to outsmart pests. This poster was written by R.W. Baldwin, S.K. Larrick, Philip Koehler, P.A. Mitola, and J.C. Medley, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, September 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in928

Palm Aphid Cerataphis brasiliensis (Hempel) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Aphidae: Hormaphidinae) (EENY520/IN924)

Figure 1. Adult palm aphid, Cerataphis brasiliensis (Hempel).The palm aphids are the only aphids known to infest palm plants. High populations occasionally become severe in nurseries and the landscape, and can cause substantial damage to young coconut palms. They pierce palm foliage and suck out the plant phloem content, causing yellowing of the tissues and loss of plant vigor. In addition, honeydew production by the aphids promotes sooty mold growth that can limit photosynthesis. Palms heavily infested with aphids can experience stunted growth. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Bonnie C. Wells and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in924

West Indian Fruit Fly, Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart) (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae) (EENY198/IN355)

Figure 2. Adult female West Indian fruit fly, Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart).Anastrepha obliqua is a major pest of mangoes in most tropical countries, making the production of some varieties unprofitable. In the United States it is found in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, and was once found in Florida. It is intercepted frequently in mangoes and several other fruits from various countries. This 5-page fact sheet was written by H. V. Weems, Jr., J. B. Heppner, G. J. Steck, and T. R. Fasulo, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in355