Category: Agriculture

Florida’s Use-Value Assessment Law: Questions and Answers for Miami-Dade County Agricultural Classification (FE890)

Use-value assessment is the most widely used technique in the United States today for maintaining land in agricultural production. Although general guidelines are provided to Florida counties on the application of the state’s use-value assessment law, counties may vary slightly in the application and determination of the agricultural land’s value. Therefore, it is important for agricultural landowners to understand the guidelines used to determine value in the county where the land is assessed and taxed. This 5-page factsheet applies specifically to Miami-Dade County, Florida. Written by Edward A. Evans, Mauricio Mosquera, Rodney L. Clouser, and Jonathan Crane, and published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, April 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe890

Nutrient Mass Budget -The Case of Florida Watermelon Phosphorus Export (SL342/SS547)

Watermelon provides an interesting example of how the phosphorus nutrient balance on the farm has changed over time with changes to production practices and acreage. In this 4-page paper the calculations are described for the export of phosphorus from Florida in the state’s watermelon fruits. Written by George Hochmuth and Jerry Bennett and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, January 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss547

A Summary of N and K Research with Strawberry in Florida (SL344/CV229)

More than 50 years worth of strawberry fertilization research has been conducted in Florida. This revised 25-page fact sheet reviews literature from all sources that pertain to commercial strawberry fertilization in Florida’s growing conditions. Written by George Hochmuth and Ed Hanlon and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, March 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/cv229

Weed Management in Rice (SSAGR10/WG001)

Successful weed control is essential for economical rice production in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA). Refer to this revised 5-page fact sheet for current management recommendations. Written by D.C. Odero and C. Rainbolt, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, March 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wg001

Managing Against the Development of Herbicide-Resistant Weeds: Sugarcane (SSAGR244/SC077)

Although it is likely that small populations of herbicide-resistant weeds are already present in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA), herbicide resistance is currently not a significant problem. The continued use of integrated and properly managed weed control programs should ensure that resistance does not become a major issue in the future. In order to successfully manage herbicides against the development of herbicide-resistant weeds, you must have a basic understanding of which herbicides have the same site of action. This revised 4-page fact sheet lists herbicides by group number, site of action, chemical family, common name, and trade name.
Written by D.C. Odero, B.A. Sellers, J.A. Ferrell, and G.E. MacDonald, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, March 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sc077

Creep Grazing for Suckling Calves: A Pasture Management Practice (SSAGR211/AG193)

The concept of creep grazing is based on the fact that the nutritional requirements of suckling calves are much higher than those of cows. Calves creep grazing on high quality forage that provides high intake of digestible energy and protein make extra growth while the cows are grazing lower quality pasture. Learn more in this revised 4-page fact sheet was written by Y.C. Newman, D.E. Mayo, J. Vendramini, and C.G. Chambliss, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, March 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag193

Mulato II (Brachiaria sp.) (SSAGR303/AG310)

Mulato II is a semi-erect perennial apomictic grass that can grow up to 9 ft tall. Brachiariagrasses, including Mulato II, are tropical warm-season forages native to Africa and are the most widely grown forages in tropical South America. This 4-page fact sheet describes teh morphology, region of adaptation and growing season in Florida, recommended production practices, and the results of research into the performance of heifers grazing Mulato. Written by J. Vendramini, B. Sellers, L.E. Sollenberger, and M. Silveira, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, March 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag310

Redheaded Pine Sawfly Neodiprion lecontei (Fitch) (EENY488/IN882)

Neodiprion lecontei is an important defoliator of commercially grown pine, as the preferred feeding conditions for sawfly larvae are enhanced in monocultures of shortleaf, loblolly, and slash pine, all of which are commonly cultivated in the southern United States. Learn more with this 5-page fact sheet written by Sara DeBerry and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, January 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in882

Application of Auto-steering Technology for Tree Planting (AE475)

Setting up new orchards or planting new trees on existing beds is one of those orchard operations that have not yet been fully mechanized. Auto-steering technology can be used in conjunction with a tree planting unit to mechanize this operation and reduce tree planting costs. Learn more in this 5-page fact sheet was written by Reza Ehsani and Esa Ontermaa, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering,March 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae475

Rabbits, Rabbits, Rabbits: Online Record Books

These online record books familiarize youth with the importance of record keeping as an integral part of project management. By tracking inventory, financial records associated with their project, rabbit health and grooming details, and related information, youth will be well prepared to relate their experiences in a written narrative as part of their project completion activities. Written by Joy Jordan, Loretta Rodriguez, Jessica Kochert, Bill Heltemes, Chris Decubellis, and Renée Gore, and published by the UF Department of 4-H Youth Development, March 2011.

The Effects of Huanglongbing on Florida Oranges (FSHN1108/FS169)

This tri-fold brochure offers commercial citrus growers and other stakeholders succinct details about the effects of HLB, and presents important facts of HLB’s history in Florida, illustrated descriptions, and details regarding HLB’s effects on fruit yield, appearance, and quality. Includes author contact information. Written by Michelle Danyluk, Timothy M. Spann, Russell Rouseff, Renée M. Goodrich-Schneider, and Charlie Sims, and published by the UF Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, January 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fs169

Quick Reference Guide to Foliar Fungicides (PP275)

This revised 2-page reference guide provides quick access to foliar fungicide recommendations from the Florida Citrus Pest Management Guide. Verso provides guidelines for fungicide resistance management. Written by M. M. Dewdney and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, April 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp275

Control y Biología del Helecho Trepador Japonés (Lygodium japonicum) (FOR282/FR344)

This 7-page Spanish-language fact sheet describes this non-native, invasive vine which is widespread in damp areas in north and West Florida — its biology and control measures. Written by Patrick J. Minogue, Daniela Chevasco, Francisco Escobedo, and Kimberly K. Bohn, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, December 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr344

Evaluating Certified Coffee Programs (WEC306/UW351)

In recent years, there has been a growing interest among consumers to buy products that follow strict standards in their production process and that also are healthy and safe. In the case of coffee, people in the United States are not only interested in the quality and origin of coffee, but many are also concerned about the social, economic, and environmental aspects of coffee production. Coffee is taking the lead in developing standards to address these concerns. This 6-page fact sheet explains the certification process and describe the various certification programs and what they mean. Written by Gloria M. Lentijo and Mark Hostetler, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, February 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw351

Centipedegrass for Florida Lawns (ENH8/LH009)

Centipedegrass is a slow-growing grass with low fertility requirements when compared to other Florida lawn grasses. It grows close to the ground, is medium textured, and is naturally lighter in color than other lawn grasses. Well-adapted to the climate and soils of Central and Northern Florida, it is the most common home lawn grass in the Florida Panhandle. There is now one cultivar adapted to South Florida conditions. This 7-page fact sheet discusses the advantages and disadvantages of this turfgrass variety, cultivars available for lawn use in Florida, establishment, maintenance, pest management, and other problems. Written by J. B. Unruh, L. E. Trenholm, and J. L. Cisar, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, April 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/lh009

St. Augustinegrass for Florida Lawns (ENH5/LH010)

St. Augustinegrass is widely adapted to the warm, humid (subtropical) regions of the world. It is the most commonly used lawn grass throughout the state of Florida and can grow satisfactorily in a wide variety of soils. This revised 11-page fact sheet discusses the advantages and disadvantages of this turfgrass variety, cultivars available for lawn use in Florida, establishment, maintenance, pest management, and other problems. Written by L. E. Trenholm, J. L. Cisar, and J. B. Unruh, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, April 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/lh010

Bahiagrass for Florida Lawns (ENH6/LH006)

Bahiagrass is a popular, low-maintenance lawn grass that does well with limited water and fertilizer inputs. Although bahiagrass does not produce a carpet-like, dense lawn like some other warm-season lawn grasses, it does provide a good, low-maintenance lawn where slightly reduced visual quality is acceptable. This revised 7-page fact sheet was written by L. E. Trenholm, J. L. Cisar, and J. B. Unruh, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture,April 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/lh006

Bermudagrass for Florida Lawns (ENH19/LH007)

Bermudagrasses (Cynodon spp.) are among the most widely used warm-season grasses. Improved, fine-textured bermudagrasses are used throughout the south on golf courses, athletic fields, and in high-profile residential and commercial landscapes where a fine-textured, dense ground cover is desired. This revised 5-page fact sheet describes advantages, disadvantages, cultivars, maintenance, and pest problems. Written by L. E. Trenholm, J. L. Cisar, J. B. Unruh, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, March 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/lh007

Marketing Processed Agricultural Products in Florida: Steps to Take (FCS8941/FY1225)

Fruits, vegetables, and other agricultural commodities that are processed, bottled, or packaged for human consumption must be prepared in accordance with statutes enacted by the Florida Legislature and rules administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). This 6-page fact sheet helps producers understand the rules governing direct marketing in Florida. Written by Bradley J. Burbaugh, Elena Toro, Amarat H. Simonne, Keith R. Schneider, Renée M. Goodrich-Schneider, Allen F. Wysocki, Arthur A. Teixeira, and John T. Fruin, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, March 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1225

Eucalyptus and Corymbia Species for Pulpwood, Mulchwood, Energywood, Windbreaks, and/or Phytoremediation (CIR1194/FR013)

In Florida, Eucalyptus species grow faster than our native tree species. Certain species, when planted on suitable sites and managed properly, can produce commercial products such as pulpwood, mulchwood, and energywood, can remediate environmental problems, or may be used as windbreaks for citrus and vegetables. This circular describes potential applications and presents planting guidelines for these three species. This revised 7-page fact sheet was written by D. L. Rockwood and G. F. Peter, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, March 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr013