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Recent & Revised Publications

Crapemyrtle Pruning

Gary W. Knox, Edward F. Gilman, Teagan Young, Ryan W. Klein, and Leynar Leyton

Pruning is one of the most controversial aspects of maintaining crapemyrtle. Traditionally, many crapemyrtles were routinely topped, leaving large branch and stem stubs. This practice has been called "crape murder" because most people dislike the winter appearance and many professionals believe the practice impacts crapemyrtle health and structural integrity. UF/IFAS research has clarified the effects of various crapemyrtle pruning practices that resulted in the recommendations in this publication.

Guide to Performing McMaster’s Fecal Egg Count for Small Ruminants

Bridget Stice, Laura H. Bennett, Christa L. Kirby, Allison L. Williams, and Brittany N. Diehl

This article is meant to serve as a general guide to perform quantitative fecal egg counts on grazing small ruminants, specifically sheep and goats. This tool is utilized to estimate the extent of pasture parasite burden as well as individual animal parasite burden, and to determine the efficacy of dewormer or anthelmintic treatment. Written by Bridget Stice, Laura H. Bennett, Christa L. Kirby, Allison L. Williams, and Brittany N. Diehl, and published by the UF College of Veterinary Medicine, UF/IFAS Extension, December 2024.

2022–2023 Summary Report: Agriculture-, Forestry-, and Fishing-Related Fatalities in Florida

Serap Gorucu

The purpose of this report is to summarize Florida’s Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing (AgFF)-related fatalities for 2022 and 2023. This report helps to identify hazards and risks associated with AgFF. This report can be used for developing injury prevention plans. Written by Serap Gorucu, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, November 2024.

Intercultural Competencies: Understanding High- vs. Low-Context Cultures

Pablo Lamino and John Diaz

This first publication in the Intercultural Competencies series provides valuable insights and recommendations on engaging diverse clientele by understanding and applying high-context and low-context cultural communication styles. Written by Pablo Lamino and John Diaz, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, November 2024.

Factors Preventing Widespread Vaccine Uptake among Adults

Alissa V. Katsaras, Kathryn A. Stofer, Helen Yates, and LaToya J. O’Neal

This publication is part of the Adult Vaccination in Florida series. This document explores the prevailing factors preventing widespread vaccine uptake by adults in the United States and outlines the most relevant trends and patterns that are seen in direct connection to vaccine uptake among adults. Written by Alissa V. Katsaras, Kathryn A. Stofer, Helen Yates, and LaToya J. O’Neal, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, October 2024.

Creating and Maintaining Balance in News Consumption

Kathryn A. Stofer

Becoming informed about an issue does not happen overnight. This publication shares strategies for identifying sources, building habits, and becoming more confident in your knowledge on various current topics. Written by Kathryn A. Stofer, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, September 2024.

Florida Turfgrass Identification

Alex J. Lindsey, Claude J. Jean, Marco Schiavon, Kevin E. Kenworthy, and J. Bryan Unruh

Proper turfgrass identification is required before considering any lawn maintenance practices. Each of the different grasses used for Florida lawns have different management and without accurate identification, mismanagement could occur, leading to undesirable results. Turfgrass identification can be challenging due to the lack of inflorescence or seedheads at certain times in their life cycle or due to being mowed off. Thus, other plant characteristics are used to help with turfgrass identification.

A Review of Feed Attractants as a Guide for Aquaculture Operations

Thaleia N. Roda, Razieh Farzad, and Micheal S. Allen

The aquaculture industry can use feed attractants to improve the feed intake efficiency of various fish and shellfish species. These attractants can improve fish growth and survival, particularly during the sensitive early-life phases when effective feeding is critical to survival. Thus, there is a need to review the types of attractants and their effectiveness in improving fish growth and survival. In this EDIS publication, we provide background information on how feed attractants work and a list of available feed attractants used by the industry.

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture

Young Gu Her, Nikolay Bliznyuk, Yiannis Ampatzidis, Ziwen Yu, and Haimanote Bayabil

This article is prepared to help Extension agents, farmers, farm managers, researchers, graduate students, and the general public better understand AI, associated terms, and technologies. Written by Young Gu Her, Nikolay Bliznyuk, Yiannis Ampatzidis, Ziwen Yu, and Haimanote Bayabil, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, September 2024.

Estimated Costs and Returns of Hemp Fiber and Seed Production

Trent Blare, Zachary Brym, Andres Bejarano Loor, and Fredy H. Ballen

The purpose of this document is to provide a framework and provisional values to estimate the costs and returns of hemp production for fiber and seed for commercial producers in Florida. The primary objective is to illustrate the infrastructure, labor, and input costs associated with a hemp cropping system for the production of fiber, seed, or both related to the potential returns from sales of raw materials. Written by Trent Blare, Zachary Brym, Andres Bejarano Loor, and Fredy H. Ballen, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agronomy, November 2024.

Preventing Foodborne Illness: Bacillus cereus

Karuna Kharel, Kiara S. Bookman, Renée Goodrich Schneider, Rachael Silverberg, Ploy Kurdmongkoltham, Bruna Bertoldi, and Keith R. Schneider

Bacillus cereus is a Gram-positive, facultative, anaerobic bacterium characterized by large rod-shaped cells and an ability to form heat-resistant endospores. Since this bacterium is commonly widespread in the environment and is often found in soil, it is naturally present in a wide range of food products of both plant and animal origin. B. cereus grows best in a temperature range of 39ºF (4ºC) to 118ºF (48ºC). Optimal growth occurs within the narrower temperature range of 82ºF (28ºC) to 95ºF (35ºC) and a pH range of 4.9 to 9.3 (FDA 2012).

The Fire Ecology of Saw Palmetto

By Vânia Maria Pereira, Thiago Souza Campos, Wagner Vendrame, and Raelene M. Crandall

This publication informs fire and natural resources managers as well as other interested people about the relationship between saw palmetto and fire. Saw palmetto is a palm native to the southeastern United States. Like other southeastern palms, saw palmetto thrives in frequently burned environments. Its highly combustible dead leaves fuel fires, after which saw palmetto benefits from the post-fire environment, exhibiting increased growth, resprouting, and induction of flowering. Saw palmettos can survive fires because of their well-insulated buds and waxy leaves. The meristem, where new growth originates, is located inside the top of the stem-like rhizome. Younger leaves grow in the center under several layers of older leaves. Old leaves persist over time and insulate and protect the meristem. This publication includes best management practices for managing saw palmetto to reduce fire hazard and maintain the health of saw palmetto and the entire the landscape.

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$526 billion

Cost of Hurricane Damage in Florida

The cost of damage from hurricanes in Florida since 1990 is equal to that of the whole rest of the United States. Major hurricanes caused 87% of the damage.

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.

18,728

Pest Management Jobs

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

95°F

Proper Temperature for Baby Chicks

Newly hatched chicks need to be maintained at 95°F for the first week of their lives. After the first week, chicks can tolerate temperatures 5°F cooler for each week until they are four weeks old.

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.

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