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Recent & Revised Publications

thumbnail for publication: Estrus Synchronization Protocols for Natural Service

Estrus Synchronization Protocols for Natural Service

Daniella Heredia, Angela Gonella-Diaza, and Kalyn Waters

This publication is intended for producers interested in improving the reproductive efficiency and performance of their cows. This publication explains the process of estrus synchronization and the protocols that can be used for natural service synchronization. Written by Daniella Heredia, Angela Gonella-Diaza, and Kalyn Waters, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Animal Sciences, February 2025.

thumbnail for publication: Rotational Grazing Management for Horses

Rotational Grazing Management for Horses

Laura Bennett

Pasture management is an important aspect of horsekeeping and equine property management. This publication provides an overview of rotational grazing, including practical recommendations and examples for implementation. Written by Laura Bennett, and published by the UF College of Veterinary Medicine, UF/IFAS Extension, February 2025.

thumbnail for publication: Wildlife of Florida Fact Sheet: Key Largo Woodrat

Wildlife of Florida Fact Sheet: Key Largo Woodrat

Brandon McDonald, Marcus Lashley, Michael Cove, and Carolina Baruzzi

This publication is part of the Wildlife of Florida fact sheet series, created to provide the public with a quick and accurate introduction to Florida’s wildlife, including both native and invasive species. We hope these fact sheets inspire you to learn more about one of Florida’s rarest mammals, the Key Largo woodrat, as well as to investigate the other wildlife around your community and understand the amazing biodiversity in the state of Florida.

thumbnail for publication: Conducting the Needs Assessment #7: Phase 3 — Post-Assessment

Conducting the Needs Assessment #7: Phase 3 — Post-Assessment

Matt Benge

This is the seventh publication in the Conducting the Needs Assessment series. The post-assessment phase, also known as the utilization phase, of conducting a needs assessment includes setting priorities to make informed decisions, creating and considering solutions, communicating results to appropriate audiences, and evaluating the needs assessment used. Extension professionals and service providers should complete the pre-assessment and assessment phases before making recommendations and considering solutions to resolve the identified needs. Written by Matt Benge, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, February 2025.

thumbnail for publication: How Efficient Are Hydroponic Lettuce Production Systems in Nutrient Usage Under Low and High Salinity?

How Efficient Are Hydroponic Lettuce Production Systems in Nutrient Usage Under Low and High Salinity?

Kelsey Vought, Haimanote Bayabil, and Ana Martin-Ryals

This publication aims to highlight the inefficiencies of using a single-rate, EC-based, NFT nutrient dosing practice for lettuce production throughout the growing season. The information contained in this document is relevant to a diverse audience, including students, researchers, Extension agents who have some level of understanding about controlled environment agriculture (CEA) and water and fertilizer management techniques, and hydroponic growers. Written by Kelsey Vought, Haimanote Bayabil, and Ana Martin-Ryals, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, February 2025.

thumbnail for publication: Native Subterranean Termites: Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), Reticulitermes virginicus (Banks), Reticulitermes hageni Banks (Insecta: Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae)

Native Subterranean Termites: Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), Reticulitermes virginicus (Banks), Reticulitermes hageni Banks (Insecta: Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae)

Thomas Chouvenc, Nan-Yao Su and Rudolf H. Scheffrahn

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID. Published by Integrated Pest Management

thumbnail for publication: Cooperating Teachers’ Best Practices for Mentoring #5: Implementation and Adoption of a Cooperating Teacher Preparation and Support Program

Cooperating Teachers’ Best Practices for Mentoring #5: Implementation and Adoption of a Cooperating Teacher Preparation and Support Program

Heather R. Nesbitt and Debra M. Barry

This final article in the Best Practices for Mentoring series provides school-based agricultural education programs (SBAE) university faculty and others who serve as program coordinators of the student teaching internship experience with a step-by-step guideline on implementing a cooperating teacher preparation and support program. Written by Heather R. Nesbitt and Debra M. Barry, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, February 2025.

thumbnail for publication: Sandbag Disposal: Environmental and Practical Considerations After the Storm

Sandbag Disposal: Environmental and Practical Considerations After the Storm

Whitney Elmore, Laura Valencia, Yilin Zhuang, and Angela Lindsey

Sandbags are an essential tool for flood prevention and control and are commonly used by homeowners and commercial owners. However, after a storm has passed and floodwaters have receded, sand from sandbags is often not properly discarded. This article addresses the impacts of improper disposal of sand from sandbags and provides steps for proper disposal. Written by Whitney Elmore, Laura Valencia, Yilin Zhuang, and Angela Lindsey, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, February 2025.

thumbnail for publication: Low-Maintenance Landscape Plants for South Florida

Low-Maintenance Landscape Plants for South Florida

Cliff G. Martin, Jody Haynes, John McLaughlin, Laura Vasquez, Adrian Hunsberger, and Zachary Brym

This publication was originally developed to help answer requests from participants of the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods program in Miami-Dade County, now Florida Friendly Landscaping TM (FFL), for a list of landscape plants suitable in south Florida and has become a critical reference for the county. The resulting list includes over 330 species of low-maintenance plants. For each species, we provided the common and scientific names, family, size, light preference, salt tolerance, establishment status, invasive status and potential, and other useful characteristics. Written by Cliff G. Martin, Jody Haynes, John McLaughlin, Laura Vasquez, Adrian Hunsberger, and Zachary Brym, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agronomy, revised February 2025.

thumbnail for publication: Survey of Mycotoxins Present in Florida Pastures Across Time, Locations, and Grass Species

Survey of Mycotoxins Present in Florida Pastures Across Time, Locations, and Grass Species

Hui-Ling (Sunny) Liao, Kaile Zhang, Vijay Verma, Haihua Wang, Brittany Justesen, Joseph Walter, Valerie Mendez, Ann Blount, Cheryl Mackowiak, Marcelo Wallau, Robbie Jones, Ko-Hsuan Chen, Ed Jennings, JK Yarborough, Doug Mayo, Ray Bodrey, and Aaron S

The toxicity of grasses caused by mycotoxins has led to economic losses in the United States due to the health impact on livestock feeding on it. Florida's warm and humid weather is favorable for the growth of mycotoxin-producing fungi on grasses. The JECFA has provided evaluations and risk management for some high-risk mycotoxins; however, more research is needed in Florida to determine the maximum levels of these mycotoxins, how different environmental conditions affect these levels, and the specialized risk management to prevent animals from getting sick. Our Extension agents were able to collect and examine 195 grass samples from 13 ranchers across dry and wet seasons in Florida. In this publication, we summarized the results for our ranchers to learn more about (1) what (dominant) mycotoxins are generally present in Florida’s pastures, (2) what grass species could harbor more of these mycotoxins, and (3) what seasons or locations may favor these dominant mycotoxins.

thumbnail for publication: Variable Rate Irrigation Technology: A Step-by-Step Guide to Field Implementation

Variable Rate Irrigation Technology: A Step-by-Step Guide to Field Implementation

Haimanote Bayabil, Niguss Solomon Hailegnaw, and Vivek Sharma

This fact sheet explores variable rate irrigation (VRI) technology and its components and provides specific examples of field-scale applications of VRI technology with step-by-step guidelines for data collection, data interpretation, developing VRI prescription maps, and uploading maps for implementation. Written by Haimanote Bayabil, Niguss Solomon Hailegnaw, and Vivek Sharma, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, February 2025.

thumbnail for publication: Facts about Wildlife Diseases: Malignant Catarrhal Fever (MCF)

Facts about Wildlife Diseases: Malignant Catarrhal Fever (MCF)

Braxton Sizemore and Juan Manuel Campos Krauer

Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is a viral infection of a wide variety of ruminant species and, in rare cases, swine. This publication discusses common clinical signs of MCF as well as prevention and treatment of MCF infection. Written by Braxton Sizemore and Juan Manuel Campos Krauer, and published by the UF College of Veterinary Medicine, UF/IFAS Extension, February 2025.

more...

25,000 to 30,000

# of bees needed to survive the winter

A healthy colony consisting of 25,000 to 30,000 bees is an adequate size for overwintering success.

13% of people

Food Insecure in the U.S.

Urban agriculture provides diverse benefits and support to local communities. However, there are also limitations to developing or expanding operations and programs.

65,479

U.S. residents have their identity stolen each day

This publication is based on the insights of individuals who have been through this experience, researched it in depth, and have attempted to break it down into understandable segments.

18,728

Pest Management Jobs

The Florida pest management industry accounted for more than 14% of the industry’s establishments in 2021

more than 1,700

homes built endangered woodrats

More than 1,700 supplemental woodrat nest structures have been installed across protected areas in northern Key Largo to aid in woodrat recovery

New Faces

New Topics

South Florida Vegetable Production

Landscape Tree Selection -- South Florida

Landscape Plant Selection -- South Florida