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Trent Blare

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Trent Blare

Orcid ID0000-0002-2318-0409

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country manager/scientist, International Potato Center, Quito, Ecuador

courtesy professor, Food and Resource Economics Department, UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center, Homestead, FL

Publications

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

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.

thumbnail for publication: Estimated Costs and Returns of Hemp Fiber and Seed Production

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.

thumbnail for publication: Estimated Costs and Returns of Hemp Flower Production

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.

thumbnail for publication: Profitability and Cost Estimates for Producing Tropical Hibiscus in South Florida

Profitability and Cost Estimates for Producing Tropical Hibiscus in South Florida

Nicholas Haley, Alexandra M. Revynthi, Hasmeen Abu, and Trent Blare

Tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) is a bushy evergreen shrub or small tree native to the temperate regions of Asia and an economically significant crop in Florida. According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, the market value of the ornamental industry in Miami-Dade County was $697 million, and approximately 25% of the production was in hibiscus. Demand for the cultivation of plants with minimal pesticides is rising due to concerns about potential adverse environmental and health effects. Integrated pest management, or IPM, is an alternative to conventional pesticide application. A broad-based approach, it integrates both chemical and non-chemical practices for sustainable control of pests. To help growers and other stakeholders determine the best approach to changing demands for pesticide management, this publication estimates the costs and returns of producing tropical hibiscus on an established nursery in south Florida using both traditional and IPM methods.

thumbnail for publication: Costos Estimados de la Producción de Compost de Sargazo

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.

thumbnail for publication: ¿Es la industria de cáñamo industrial rentable en el futuro de Florida?

¿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.

thumbnail for publication: Estimación de costos de producción de maracuyá morada en sur de Florida

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.

thumbnail for publication: Cost Estimates for Producing Sargassum spp. Compost

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.

thumbnail for publication: Cost Assessment of Utilizing Bagasse to Grow Sugarcane Based on Nutrient Availability

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.

thumbnail for publication: Saltwater Intrusion and Flooding: Risks to South Florida’s Agriculture and Potential Management Practices

Saltwater Intrusion and Flooding: Risks to South Florida’s Agriculture and Potential Management Practices

Haimanote K. Bayabil, Yuncong Li, Jonathan H. Crane, Bruce Schaffer, Ashley R. Smyth, Shouan Zhang, Edward A. Evans, and Trent Blare

This article highlights the impacts of saltwater intrusion and flooding on the health of agricultural soils. It also discusses management practices to reduce the negative impacts of soil salinity due to saltwater intrusion and/or flooding. Written by Haimanote K. Bayabil, Yuncong Li, Jonathan H. Crane, Bruce Schaffer, Ashley R. Smyth, Shouan Zhang, Edward A. Evans, and Trent Blare, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, May 2022.

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

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.

thumbnail for publication: An Introduction to Florida Commodity Enterprise Budgets: A Tool to Improve Farm Business Planning

An Introduction to Florida Commodity Enterprise Budgets: A Tool to Improve Farm Business Planning

Kimberly L. Morgan, Tara Wade, Kevin Athearn, Chris Prevatt, Ariel Singerman, Edward “Gilly” Evans, Trent Blare, Hayk Khachatryan, and Zhengfei Guan

Enterprise budgets help farmers and ranchers estimate expenses, potential revenue, and profit. UF/IFAS provides enterprise budgets for a variety of Florida-grown commodities. These are typically built collaboratively by economists, horticulturists and agronomists, ranchers, and growers. This publication highlights key aspects of the enterprise budget as a planning tool for farm businesses. Includes links to UF/IFAS enterprise budgets and related documents specific to several Florida commodities.

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

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.

thumbnail for publication: Cost Estimates of Producing Purple Passion Fruit 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.

thumbnail for publication: Is a viable hemp industry in Florida’s future?

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.

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

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.  

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

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.

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

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.