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Food and Water for New Chicks

Chicks can survive up to two or three days without eating or drinking right after hatching because they are able to utilize the nutrients remaining in their retained yolk sac during this time. This is how hatcheries can ship chicks all over the country with little or no mortality.

Living shorelines for erosion control and more

Salt marshes, mangroves, seagrasses, and oyster reefs effectively prevent erosion by creating complex surfaces that dampen wave energy and trap sediments. They also provide additional ecosystem functions that benefit society.

Low-Chill Blueberry Cultivars

Florida winters aren’t cold enough for traditional northern blueberry varieties. However, low-chill cultivars have been developed specifically for our milder climate.

Vanilla Growing

Vanilla pollination is done by hand using a toothpick or a needle to lift the rostellum and press the anther and stigma together.

Early Detection

The fungal pathogen that causes Ganoderma Rot can be detected using saw dust samples from declining palms.

RECENT & REVISED PUBLICATIONS

Biodiversity as a Tool to Boost Seagrass Restoration Success

SS728/SL515by C. Spengler, Jamila Roth, and Laura K. ReynoldsMay 14, 2024This publication reviews the importance of seagrass, major threats to seagrass, and ways in which seagrass species diversity and genetic diversity can positively impact seagrass management and restoration. Written by C. Spengler, Jamila Roth, and Laura K. Reynolds, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, March 2024.Critical Issue: 3. Natural Resources and Environmental Quality

Tillage and Overseeding Pastures for Winter Forage Production in North Florida

AG146/SS-AGR-43 by C. L. Mackowiak, J. C. B. Dubeux, S. George, D. L. Wright, A. R. Blount, and I. SmallMay 14, 2024The purpose of this publication is to provide guidance on preparing and planting annual cool-season forages on prepared seedbeds and overseeding annual cool-season forages on pastures in north Florida. Written by C. L. Mackowiak, J. C. B. Dubeux, S. George, D. L. Wright, A. R. Blount, and I. Small, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, revised April 2024.Critical Issue: 1. Agricultural and Horticultural Enterprises

Pesticide Mode of Action Classification: Understanding Resistance Action Committees (RACs)

PI299/PI299by Emily C. Kraus and Brett BultemeierMay 9, 2024This publication defines the concept of a pesticide mode of action and provides several examples. It emphasizes the importance of identifying and differentiating modes of action for pesticide resistance management. To this end, it defines the development and goals of the three Resistance Action Committees for insecticides (IRAC), herbicides (HRAC), and fungicides (FRAC) and describes each group’s pesticide mode of action classification scheme. Finally, it provides an example of a pesticide label and instructs applicators on how to rotate pesticides to manage resistance. This publication presents the subject matter in a concise manner and directs pesticide applicators to the very useful RAC Mode of Action group numbers for rotation purposes. Critical Issue: 1. Agricultural and Horticultural Enterprises

Living Shoreline Ecosystem Service Valuation Tool

SS729/SL516by Ashley R. Smyth, Laura K. Reynolds, Savanna C. Barry, Natalie C. Stephens, Joshua T. Patterson, and Edward V. CampMay 8, 2024Living shorelines are an increasingly popular way to protect and stabilize waterfronts for coastal property owners. Living shorelines provide valuable benefits to humans, including water quality improvement, habitat, fisheries, and carbon sequestration. Estimating the economic value of the ecosystem services living shorelines offer is an integral part of management decisions. The living shoreline valuation tool can help quantify the costs and benefits of living shorelines projects. This publication briefly describes the ecosystem services associated with living shorelines. The purpose of this publication is to introduce the ecosystem service valuation tool. Our target audience for the living shoreline evaluation tool includes natural resource extension agents, community organizations, and coastal homeowners who want to calculate the value of ecosystem services provided by coastal restoration projects, including living shorelines. Critical Issue: 3. Natural Resources and Environmental Quality

Cannabis sativa Plant Identification and Its Look-Alikes

AG476/SS-AGR-480by Cliff G. Martin and Zachary T. BrymMay 7, 2024The purpose of this document is to provide an identification guide for Cannabis sativa to be used by growers and land managers by showing key factors to distinguish it from similar-looking plants. The general public and aspiring botanists may also use this document to see how a plant is defined botanically and how those characteristics can distinguish a plant of interest from other look-alike plants. Written by Cliff G. Martin and Zachary T. Brym, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, March 2024.Critical Issue: 1. Agricultural and Horticultural Enterprises

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Fun Facts

14.1%

OJ Inflation

Orange Juice prices experienced high inflation, peaking at 14.1% in January 2023, but the number of active consumers slightly increased.

$4.09 per lb. of N

Value of Denitrification

Based on the average wastewater treatment cost of N removal for Florida Counties. One of the ecosystem functions of Living Shorelines is enhanced denitrification.

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.

$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.

18,728

Pest Management Jobs

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