A new online certificate program oriented towards growers, consultants, suppliers and regulators has been launched by the University of Florida Institue of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). The Fertilizer Science and Technology certificate program is an online program that can be completed at the student's pace. The program requires three courses to be completed, and one three-credit elective. Once completed, the certificate can be...
As we look back on 2022, many changes and memories come to mind, one of these changes being the price of a dozen eggs in the grocery store. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2021, the price of a dozen Grade A eggs was $1.82, while in 2022, this price jumped to $3.60. Two factors are causing this jump in price, one being the rising cost of chicken feed, but the main culprit is highly pathogenic avian influenza.
The Agriculture Council of America is hosting an essay contest for National Ag Day, which falls on March 21, 2023. This national contest has two categories, a written essay category, and a video essay category, with each category winner receiving $1,000. Any student in grades 9 through 12, who are a U.S. citizen, can compete. All entries for this contest are due February 15, 2023, and to learn more, visit agday.org. Ag Day | Essay Contest
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, UF/IFAS, is working to develop citrus trees that are resistant to huanglongbing (HLB) or citrus greening. Jose Chaparro, UF/IFAS associate professor, says, “In the future, you will not grow a variety that is not HLB tolerant or resistant. It’s not economically feasible long term. Production costs are too high.” Chaparro says that they are breeding cold-hardy fruit that...
According to Cornell University's Dr. Clinton Neill, more than 500 counties across the United States have shortages of food animal veterinarians. Less than 5% of veterinary school graduates pursue livestock or other food animal practice areas, compared to 40 years ago when about 40% of graduates specialized in these areas. Many factors have led to this shortage, but one of the main ones is education debt. This debt issue is causing many new...
The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Alabama Department of Agriculture (ADAI) have confirmed a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a small backyard non-poultry flock in Lawrence County, Alabama. Symptoms of HPAI include purple discoloration of wattles and legs, lethargic behavior, and watery and green diarrhea. Please report sick or dead WILD birds to your...
As we are preparing for the upcoming holiday season, keep in mind that raw flour can give you Salmonella and E. coli if consumed raw. Flour is made from processing raw grains that are grown in fields, but this process does not kill the bacteria found in the raw grains. Some tips to avoid getting sick include not eating or tasting raw dough products, keeping flour away from ready-to-eat foods, and refrigerating cookie and pastry dough according...
The New Varieties Development and Management Corporation (NVDMC) is ensuring that Florida citrus growers are staying competitive in the produce industry by providing new varieties of citrus. The NVDMC was created in 2005 to provide these new varieties for growers, but they still rely on Florida growers to search for naturally occurring varieties in local groves. Partnering with UF/IFAS has given the NVDMC an opportunity to provide growers with...
Pinkeye in cattle is highly contagious and can lead to blindness and impair weight gain in calves, which can lead to negative economic impacts in the beef industry. Scientists at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) revealed that there are two different variants of the bacterium that is known to cause pinkeye in cattle. Scientists Working on Prevention...
Over 47 million birds have died from infections and culling from avian influenza this year, according to a new report from Reuters. As Thanksgiving is rounding the corner, export bans and lowered egg and turkey production are causing supply issues and higher prices. Rosemary Sifford, chief veterinary officer for the Department of Agriculture, says, “Unfortunately, what we’ve done probably hasn’t been enough to protect us from this high...
