Fredy H. Ballen

0000-0001-5741-7243

Recomendaciones para el Control y Mitigación de la Marchitez del Laurel y sus Vectores, los Escarabajos Ambrosia, en Arboledas Comerciales de Aguacate en Florida

Jonathan H. Crane, Daniel Carrillo, Edward A. Evans, Romina Gazis, Bruce Schaffer, Fredy Ballen, y Jeff Wasielewski Traducido por Rubén Regalado. Revisado por Dr. Carlos F. Balerdi

El control del complejo agente patógeno ML - EA es difícil debido a la posibilidad de que ocurra una transmisión rápida por injertos de raíces, por nuevas infestaciones de ML debido al movimiento del EA, y a las dificultades y costos de las tácticas de control existentes. Las investigaciones en curso tienen como objetivo lograr un conocimiento más profundo de la biología del agente patógeno de la ML y el EA capaz de transmitirlo, de la epidemiología (dinámica de la dispersión de la enfermedad), y desarrollar métodos de control y tácticas de mitigación más eficaces. Las recomendaciones de control serán revisadas tan pronto se conozca información adicional.

ET-Based Irrigation Scheduling for Papaya (Carica papaya) in Florida

Haimanote K. Bayabil, Jonathan H. Crane, Kati W. Migliaccio, Yuncong Li, and Fredy Ballen

Recommendations for Control and Mitigation of Laurel Wilt and Ambrosia Beetle Vectors in Commercial Avocado Groves in Florida

Jonathan H. Crane, Daniel Carrillo, Edward A. Evans, Romina Gazis, Bruce Schaffer, Fredy Ballen, and Jeff Wasielewski

Control of the LW pathogen–AB complex is challenging due to the potential for rapid root-graft transmission, new LW infestations caused by AB movement, and the difficulty and expense of current control tactics. Ongoing research is aimed at further understanding of the biology of the pathogen and secondary AB capable of transmitting the LW pathogen, epidemiology (spread dynamics of the disease), and development of more efficient control and mitigation tactics. As more information is developed, control recommendations will be revised.

Banana Market

Edward Evans and Fredy Ballen

Sample Profitability and Cost Estimates of Producing Longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) in South Florida

Fredy H. Ballen, Edward A. Evans, Aditya Singh, and Jonathan H. Crane

Sampling Guidelines and Recommendations for Submitting Samples for Diagnosing Laurel Wilt in Avocado Trees (Persea americana L.)

Jonathan Crane, Romina Gazis, Jeff Wasielewski, Daniel Carrillo, Bruce Schaffer, Fredy Ballen, and Edward Evans

Laurel wilt (LW) is a vascular disease caused by a fungal pathogen, Raffaelea lauricola, which is transmitted to avocado trees by several ambrosia beetle species or through root grafts among adjacent avocado trees. Laurel wilt is a highly destructive disease that ultimately results in tree death; therefore, early detection and tree removal to prevent its spread is recommended. Diseased or symptomatic trees are best identified by continuous and regular grove scouting, which should be a normal grove management activity. This may go a long way to manage the disease and remain in business.

Recommendations for the Detection and Mitigation of Laurel Wilt Disease in Avocado and Related Tree Species in the Home Landscape

Jonathan H. Crane, Jeff Wasielewski, Daniel Carrillo, Romina Gazis, Bruce Schaffer, Fredy Ballen, and Edward Evans

Avocado trees are a popular choice for homeowners in Florida, with over 600,000 growing in Florida home landscapes. However, avocado trees as well as others in the Lauraceae family are susceptible to laurel wilt disease, which can kill a tree in as few as three weeks.

Cost and Return Estimates of a Mamey Sapote Grove in South Florida, 2017

Fredy H. Ballen, Aditya Singh, Edward A. Evans, and Jonathan Crane

Sample Profitability and Cost Estimates of Producing Sweet Carambola (Averrhoa carambola) in south Florida

Fredy H. Ballen, Aditya Singh, Edward A. Evans, and Jonathan H. Crane

Cost Estimates of Producing Sapodilla in South Florida, 2017

Fredy H. Ballen, Aditya Singh, Edward A. Evans, and Jonathan H. Crane

Recomendaciones para la Detección y Mitigación de la Marchitez del Laurel en Árboles de Aguacates y Especies Relacionadas en Jardines y Patios Hogareños

Jonathan H. Crane, Jeff Wasielewski, Daniel Carrillo, Romina Gazis, Bruce Schaffer, Fredy Ballen, y Edward Evans Traducido por Rubén Regalado; Revisado por Dr. Carlos F. Balerdi

Los aguacates cultivados en patios y jardines son disfrutados y apreciados por cientos de residentes de Florida. Además de proveer sus frutos, estos árboles ofrecen un hábitat para la vida silvestre y sombra en las áreas urbanas. Existen aproximadamente 600,000 árboles de aguacates en los patios y jardines de Florida. La mayoría de estos árboles se encuentran en los condados de Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, y Lee en el sur de la Florida, pero también se encuentran en muchos de los condados centrales de Florida.

Cost Estimates of Producing Sugar Apple (Annona squamosa L.) in South Florida

Fredy H. Ballen, Aditya Singh, Edward Evans, and Jonathan Crane

Estimación del costo y la rentabilidad de la producción de lichi (Litchi chinensis) en el centro y sur de Florida

Trent Blare, Fredy H. Ballen, Nicholas Haley, Victor Contreras, Jonathan H. Crane, Daniel Carrillo y Erick Gonzalez

La Florida es uno de los tres estados de los Estados Unidos (junto con California y Hawái) que tiene las condiciones climáticas para cultivar lichi, debido a la creciente demanda de los consumidores, esta fruta tiene el potencial de ser un cultivo rentable para los productores floridanos. En este documento se estiman los costos y rendimientos asociados con la operación de un cultivo de lichi en el centro y sur de Florida; los productores podrían esperar una rentabilidad promedio de $ 8.000 por acre por año; sin embargo, existen factores como la variación climática que causa cosechas inconsistentes, el aumento de la presión de plagas como el ácaro erinoso y el incremento en imperfecciones de la fruta, que también deben considerarse al tomar decisiones de producción.

Una mirada a la producción, el comercio y el consumo de papaya a nivel mundial

Edward A. Evans y Fredy H. Ballen

A UF/IFAS numbered Translation for Commercial audience(s). Published by Farm Economics, entrepreneurship, and management

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.

Planning for a Successful Commercial Subtropical/Tropical Fruit Grove

Jonathan Crane, Yuncong Li, Edward Evans, Fredy Ballen, and Jeff Wasielewski

Planning is the key to successful grove establishment, maintenance, and production. Developing a detailed infrastructure description and plan, cultural program, and financial and marketing plan for a new or existing grove with a new fruit crop will save you time and money and help minimize mistakes. Prospective growers should compile and analyze information needed to select a grove site, establish the needed infrastructure, and develop maintenance plans for the plants and how the production will be marketed. This publication presents an outline of the type of information growers need when establishing a tropical fruit grove or contemplating management or modification of an existing grove.

Estimated Costs and Returns of Hemp Flower 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 costs and returns of hemp flower production for commercial producers in Florida. Written by Trent Blare, Zachary Brym, Andres Bejarano Loor, and Fredy H. Ballen, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agronomy, August 2024.

Ocho Pasos para Desarrollar un Plan Simple de Mercadeo

Edward A. Evans y Fredy H. Ballen

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. Published by Farm Economics, entrepreneurship, and management

Irrigation System Descriptions for Tropical and Subtropical Fruit Crops in Florida

Jonathan Crane, Haimanote Bayabil, Edward A. Evans, and Fredy Ballen

Florida's tropical and subtropical fruit crop industries use various irrigation systems, including high-volume systems designed for irrigation and freeze protection, drip systems for herbaceous fruit crops (papaya, banana), and microsprinkler types, mainly for irrigation and fertigation. There continues to be a steady stream of potential tropical and subtropical fruit producers in Florida, many with little to no knowledge of the various types or purposes of various irrigation system that have been used successfully for the past 60 years.

¿Es la industria de cáñamo industrial rentable en el futuro de Florida?

Trent Blare, Martha Rivera, Fredy H. Ballen, Zachary Brym, Victor Contreras

El creciente incremento de la competencia extranjera e incidencia de plagas ha hecho que muchos agricultores de Florida se pregunten acerca de la rentabilidad de cultivos tradicionales como tomate, cítricos y aguacate. El cáñamo industrial se presenta como una alternativa viable para estos productores desde que, en el año 2018, la ley agrícola permitió su producción. Para ayudar a la industria a madurar es necesaria una mejor coordinación entre los reguladores, procesadores, instituciones financieras, programas de investigación y extensión, y el sector de venta minorista para crear confianza, así como ajustar políticas y procedimientos para disminuir el costo de transacción a lo largo de la cadena de suministro; con esto se podría asegurar que los productores, industria relacionada y consumidores se beneficien de este mercado emergente. En el presente artículo se examina la cadena de valor del cáñamo enfocada en las oportunidades de mercado en Florida.

Cost Estimates of Producing Pink Guava (Psidium guajava L.) in South Florida

Edward Evans, Fredy H. Ballen, Jonathan Crane, and Aditya Singh

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for Commercial audience(s). Published by Food Systems

Estimación de costos de producción de maracuyá morada en sur de Florida

Trent Blare, Victor Contreras, Fredy H. Ballen, Joshua D. Anderson, Jonathan H. Crane, Nicholas Haley, y Andrés Bejarano

Esta publicación examina los costos estimados y los rendimientos de una plantación de maracuyá morada establecida en el sur de Florida. La información presentada en este documento se recopiló a través de entrevistas de campo con productores y especialistas en la industria. Se basa en una variedad de prácticas de producción en producciones a pequeña escala (1-2 acres). La información en este documento está destinada solo como una guía para estimar los requisitos financieros de una plantación ya establecida de maracuyá. Estimamos un rendimiento neto de $2.772/acre/año o $0,98/libra el cual es un retorno económico muy atractivo comparado al de otras frutas tropicales de la zona.

An Overview of US Papaya Production, Trade, and Consumption

Edward A. Evans, Fredy H. Ballen, and Jonathan H. Crane

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for Commercial audience(s). Published by Farm Economics, entrepreneurship, and management

Cost Assessment of Utilizing Bagasse to Grow Sugarcane Based on Nutrient Availability

Jehangir H. Bhadha, Nan Xu, Naba R. Amgain, Abul Rabbany, Trent D. Blare, Fredy H. Ballen, and Stewart Swanson

This new 7-page publication of the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department explores the potential of using bagasse, a dry and fibrous residue of sugarcane left after the sugar juice extraction, as a nutrient source to potentially reduce inorganic fertilizer inputs in the sugarcane production system. Information provided in this article will be useful to commercial sugarcane growers, crop consultants, and fertilizer manufacturers in helping them explore alternative fertilizer options. This paper provides important and timely information for the target audiences, considering the recent, rapid rise in fertilizer prices. Written by Jehangir H. Bhadha, Nan Xu, Naba R. Amgain, Abul Rabbany, Trent D. Blare, Fredy H. Ballen, and Stewart Swanson.

An Overview of Global Papaya Production, Trade, and Consumption

Edward A. Evans and Fredy H. Ballen

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for Commercial audience(s). Published by Farm Economics, entrepreneurship, and management

Cost and Profitability Estimates for Producing Lychee (Litchi chinensis) in South and Central Florida

Trent Blare, Fredy H. Ballen, Nicholas Haley, Victor Contreras, Jonathan H. Crane, and Daniel Carrillo

Florida is one of three US states (the other two being California and Hawaii) that have the climatic conditions to cultivate lychee. Given the growing consumer demand for this crop, the production of lychee has the potential to be a profitable crop for Florida growers. This publication estimates the costs and returns associated with operating a lychee grove in south and central Florida. It presents the results of field interviews with lychee growers and industry experts. Growers on average can expect to earn nearly $8,000 an acre per year from lychee production when there is a harvest, but climate variation causes inconsistent harvests. When making production decisions, growers must also consider increasing pressure from pests such as the lychee erinose mite, and strong foreign competition.

Profitability and Cost Estimates for Producing Mango (Mangifera Indica L.) in South Florida

Trent Blare, Fredy H. Ballen, Aditya Singh, Nicholas Haley, and Jonathan Crane

This publication provides an estimate of the costs and returns associated with an established mango orchard in south Florida. It demonstrates that mangos are a profitable alternative for growers in south Florida, with growers earning on average $4,487/acre/year or $0.24/pound, which is larger than many other tropical fruits. Information in this publication will be useful to current and future mango growers, wholesalers, and processors interested in expanding the mango industry in south Florida.

Cost Estimates of Producing Purple Passion Fruit in South Florida

Trent Blare, Victor Contreras, Fredy H. Ballen,Joshua D. Anderson, Jonathan H. Crane, and Nicholas Haley

This publication examines the estimated costs and returns of an established purple passionfruit orchard in south Florida. The information presented in this publication was collected through field interviews with growers and industry specialists. It is based on a variety of production practices on small scale farms (1-2 acres). The information is intended only as a guide to estimate the financial requirements of running an established passionfruit planting. We estimated that the average net return of an established passionfruit (purple) plantation in south Florida is approximately $2,562/acre, or $0.92/pound.

Eight Steps to Developing a Simple Marketing Plan

Edward A. Evans and Fredy H. Ballen

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. Published by Farm Economics, entrepreneurship, and management

Is a viable hemp industry in Florida’s future?

Trent Blare, Martha Rivera, Fredy H. Ballen, Zachary Brym

Disease and foreign competition have made many growers question the viability of traditional commodity crops such as tomatoes, citrus, and avocados. Industrial hemp appears to be an attractive alternative, as the 2018 Farm Bill permitted its production. Florida has followed several other states in approving permits in 2020 to allow production of industrial hemp. Markets for industrial hemp products were promising in the first years of production, but market prices started to decline dramatically in 2020 with many growers unable to sell all their product. In this publication, we examine the hemp value chain with a focus on opportunities in the Florida market. Better coordination between regulators, processors, financial institutions, research and Extension services, and the retail sector to build confidence, harmonize policies, and lower transaction costs would help the industry flourish and ensure growers, consumers, and hemp-related enterprises can benefit from this emerging market.

Overview of US Tahiti Lime Production and Markets: Trade and Consumption Analysis

Trent Blare, Fredy Ballen, and Jonathan Crane

Key and Tahiti limes have historically been very important to the economy of south Florida. However, there are few commercial orchards left for these lime cultivars in the state. Many orchards were destroyed during Hurricane Andrew, and those that survived were then eliminated by Florida’s Citrus Canker Eradication Program in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Tahiti limes are being considered for reintroduction in Miami-Dade County because of the growing demand for this fruit, especially among buyers who are willing to pay more for Florida-grown fruit. In this publication, we explore the history of lime production in south Florida and current trends in the market, especially growing demand in the United States for Tahiti limes. The price premiums from the growing domestic market for Tahiti limes would likely be enough to overcome the challenges growers face in combating the disease pressure from citrus canker, citrus greening, and intense competition from Mexico and other countries.  

Estimación de la Rentabilidad y Costo de Producción de Mango (Mangifera Indica L.) en el Sur de la Florida

Trent Blare, Fredy H. Ballen, Aditya Singh, Nicholas Haley, Victor Contreras, y Jonathan Crane

Ese articulo analiza los costos y ingreos esperados en la producción de mango en el sur de Florida. Estimamos que el retorno neto promedio de una plantación establecida de mango en el sur de Florida es de $4,487/acre o de $0.24/libra. La rentabilidad del cultivo de mango en comparación con otros cultivos de frutas tropicales es una opción muy atractiva.

Estimación de costos para la producción de guayaba rosada (Psidium guajava L.) en el sur de Florida

Edward Evans, Fredy H. Ballen, Jonathan Crane, Trent Blare, Victor Contreras y Aditya Singh

Guava is planted thorugh the Tropics and SubTropics and has adapted to a variety of climatic conditions. Florida is the primary producer of guava in the United States. This crop is valued at $3.2 million at the packing house. The growing interest in alternative tropical crops in the last few years has led to increasing interest in this crop. This publication estimates the costs and returns from an established guava orchard in south Florida. We estimate that an established pink guava orchard will have a net return of $9065 per acre per year or $1.13 per pound of fruit sold. 

Programación de riego basado en el método de evapotranspiración para papaya (Carica papaya) en Florida

Haimanote K. Bayabil, Jonathan H. Crane, Kati W. Migliaccio, Yuncong Li, Fredy Ballen y Sandra Guzmán

A UF/IFAS numbered Translation. Published by Agriculture Water

Costos Estimados de la Producción de Compost de Sargazo

Trent Blare, Afeefa A. Abdool-Ghany, Helena M. Solo-Gabriele, y Erick Gonzalez

El objetivo de este estudio fue para dar visibilidad dentro del municipio y negocios pequeños quienes están considerando ser empresas de composteo, realizando operaciones para lo cual usaran Sargazo spp. como materia prima.

Cost Estimates for Producing Sargassum spp. Compost

Trent Blare, Afeefa A. Abdool-Ghany, and Helena M. Solo-Gabriele

This publication examines the costs that the city of Ft. Lauderdale incurred to establish a sargassum compost facility. The objective of this analysis is to provide insights to other municipalities and small businesses around south Florida who are considering starting similar composting operations with the expectation that sargassum composting will provide them with more space in their landfills while maintaining their beaches’ tourist appeal. The data for this analysis were collected through interviews in 2021 with several individuals in municipalities and small businesses, which use a wide range of sargassum management strategies. We found that Ft. Lauderdale saves at least $326,000 annually by operating its own composting facility.