University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) economists have refined the estimate of agricultural losses due to Hurricane Ian to $1.03 billion. This number is an estimate of the total value of seasonal crops, livestock, nursery and aquaculture products that will not be harvested or marketed as a result the category 4 storm. Hurricane Ian made landfall …
UF/IFAS EREC to Celebrate 100 Years
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Everglades Research and Education Center (EREC) will celebrate its 100-year anniversary on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023. The event will include research tours of the EREC and feature various talks focusing on the center’s history. Scott Angle, UF/IFAS Senior Vice President, will provide an administrative welcome. Keynote speakers include Jim …
UF/IFAS Ag Engineer Using AI to Assess Crop Damage Following Tropical Storms, Hurricanes
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers are using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to quantify damage to fruits and vegetables caused by extreme weather events, such as Hurricane Ian in 2022. When Ian struck on Sept. 28, it brought winds up to 155 mph and caused as much as $1.56 billion in damage to crops, livestock …
Christmas Freeze Effect: ‘Every Variety’ of Georgia Citrus Suffered Damage
By Clint Thompson This winter season provided the first cold challenge for Georgia-produced citrus. With multiple days of sub-freezing temperatures during Christmas week, the impact was not good for trees produced throughout the state. Jake Price, University of Georgia (UGA) Lowndes County Extension coordinator, discussed the situation during the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference in Savannah, Georgia. “Pretty much …
Uncovered Georgia Strawberries Likely Suffered ‘Moderate’ Damage
By Clint Thompson Part of Georgia’s strawberry crop suffered some damage during sub-freezing temperatures over the past week. Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties, said the crop that was not covered was most susceptible to temperatures that stayed mostly in the 20s and 30s since Christmas Eve morning. “I …
UF/IFAS Extension Agent: We Need to Manage Fertilizer More Efficiently
By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon producers should be wary about the dangers of applying too much water. It can result in leeching of nitrogen in their sandy soils. Producers who apply too much water not only lose the excess water, but they also lose the fertilizer and then yields. Mark Warren, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural …
UF/IFAS to Host South Florida Vegetable Meeting
Vegetable producers should mark their calendars for the next South Florida Vegetable Growers meeting, scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee, Florida. The meeting will last from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will cover vegetable production with an emphasis on …
LIFT AI to Accelerate  UF/IFAS Plant BreedingÂ
Faster plant breeding is one of the 11 projects collectively awarded $261,723 by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Dean for Research Office to solve practical problems via artificial intelligence (AI). To foster research collaborations in AI for agricultural systems, natural resources and human systems, the office created a program called “Launching Innovative Faculty Teams …
‘LIFT AI’ Projects Show UF/IFAS’ Commitment to Using Artificial Intelligence
Faster plant breeding is one of the 11 projects collectively awarded $261,723 by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Dean for Research Office to solve practical problems via artificial intelligence (AI). To foster research collaborations in AI for agricultural systems, natural resources and human systems, the office created a program called “Launching Innovative Faculty Teams …
UF Citrus Varieties Get a Taste Test in Gainesville
Consumers have different tastebuds that make them prefer certain citrus varieties and other fruit more than others. What one may like, another may reject. This is especially true in the citrus industry where palate and consumer preference play a role in what varieties growers choose to produce. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) campus in Gainesville hosted …