New and Revised Agriculture Publications, May 2011

This email lists new and revised EDIS publications that have been released to the public in May2011. They are now available on the World Wide Web at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu. This mailing only includes publications in the Agriculture program area. Please see separate mailings for publications in other program areas.

 

Agricultural Economics

 

2010 Florida Land Value Survey: Farmland Prices Still Down (FE893)

The Florida Farmland Value Survey, conducted by the Food and Resource Economics Department, University of Florida, provides estimates of the value of different types of agricultural land for geographic regions of the state. The most recent survey was conducted in November–December 2010 for land values in May 2010. It is apparent from the survey responses that the recessionary U.S. and Florida economies, the slower rate of Florida’s population growth, and the decline in the Florida housing construction industry continue to be reflected in a further decline in most Florida farmland values. Other factors such as rising energy related costs, additional costs for disease control for some commodities, and returns to farmland statewide also help explain the decline in the 2010 farmland values. For details, check out this 8-page fact sheet was written by Rodney L. Clouser, Charles Moss, Ronald Muraro, Laila Racevskis, and Robert A. Morris, and published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, April 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe893

 

Production and Marketing Practices in the Florida Nursery Industry, 2008 (FE894)

This 23-page report presents information on production and marketing practices of Florida’s wholesale nursery and greenhouse industry in 2008, with comparisons to the rest of the United States, based on information collected through national mail, Internet, and telephone surveys. Written by Alan Hodges, and published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, May 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe894

 

Conservation Easements: Options for Preserving Current Land Uses (SSFOR21/FR149)

Many landowners have a strong connection to their land and want to ensure its protection for many generations. Conservation easements can prevent future residential and commercial development of one’s land, and reduce inheritance tax liability for one’s heirs. This 6-page fact sheet will describe conservation easements, what is involved in establishing one, some of the tax implications of such agreements, the government and non-government organizations that commonly participate in conservation easements, and important considerations for landowners before entering into such an agreement. Written by Chris Demers and Douglas R. Carter, and published by the UF School of Forest Resources and Conservation, March 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr149

 

 

 

Crops

 

Citrus

 

Forest Resources

 

Nurseries

 

Granulate Ambrosia Beetle, Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Motschulsky) (Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) (EENY131/IN288)

The granulate ambrosia beetle is a minute ambrosia beetle of Asian origin that was first detected near Charleston, South Carolina. It can become abundant in urban, agricultural, and forested areas and has been reported as a pest of nursery stock and young trees in the Old World tropics and of peach trees in South Carolina. It is a potentially serious pest of ornamentals and fruit trees and is reported to be able to infest most trees and some shrubs (azalea), except for conifers. Learn more in this revised 4-page fact sheet was written by Thomas. H. Atkinson, John L. Foltz, Robert C. Wilkinson, and Russell F. Mizell, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in288

 

Redbay Ambrosia Beetle Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff (Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) (EENY491/IN886)

Ambrosia beetles are wood-degrading insects that live in nutritional symbiosis with ambrosia fungi. Usually we consider ambrosia beetles beneficial because they accelerate the decay of dead trees, which is important for nutrient cycling in healthy forests. However, the redbay ambrosia beetle and its fungal symbiont transmit the causal pathogen of laurel wilt disease among plants in the Laurel family (Lauraceae). They are considered a “very high risk” invasive disease pest complex having potential equal to that of Dutch elm disease or chestnut blight. Laurel wilt is a relatively new disease and much is still unknown about how it will impact the flora of North America. This 7-page fact sheet highlights what we do know about this important new pest. Written by Rajinder Mann, Jiri Hulcr, Jorge Peña, and Lukasz Stelinski, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, May 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in886

 

 

 

Prevention, Early Detection, and Eradication of Benghal Dayflower in Field Nurseries (ENH1085/EP350)

Benghal dayflower is an increasingly problematic weed that is federally designated as a noxious weed. This 10-page fact sheet provides nursery owners how to prevent, detect, and eradicate this invasive plant. Written by Robert Stamps, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, May 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep350

 

 

Agronomic Crops

 

Saw Palmetto Control: Individual Plant and Broadcast Application (SSAGR341/AG351)

Saw palmetto is a shrubby palm species native to Florida and common throughout the state. Despite its beneficial uses, saw palmetto is a serious weed problem in pastures, forests, and non-cropland areas, and control of this common native plant is often necessary. This 4-page fact sheet provides mechanical and chemical control recommendations. Written by Brandon Fast, Jason Ferrell, and Brent Sellers, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, March 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag351

 

Weed Control for Winter Faba Bean Cover Crop in South Florida (SSAGR345/AG355)

Faba bean is an important leguminous winter crop in warm temperate and subtropical areas that has been cultivated for more than 10,000 years as a source of protein in human and livestock diets. It is also grown to enhance yields of other crops. Faba bean provides nitrogen in agricultural systems through the unique process of biological fixation of atmospheric nitrogen by symbiosis with Rhizobium bacteria. This substantially reduces the need for nitrogen fertilizers, which contribute to both carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions. This 2-page fact sheet written by D.C. Odero provides weed control recommendations. Published by the UF Department of Agronomy, April 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag355

 

Biology and Control of Common Ragweed Along Ditch and Canal Banks (SSAGR346/AG356)

Common ragweed is a successful pioneer species widely distributed throughout the continental United States. In cultivated fields it will compete with crops for light, moisture, nutrients, and space and will result in significant yield losses. Additionally, allergenic airborne pollen from common ragweed is a primary cause of hay fever and thus a public health concern. This 3-page fact sheet describes the life cycle of the plant and provides management recommendations. Written by D.C. Odero, B. Sellers, and J. Ferrell, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, April 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag356

 

 

 

Horticulture

 

Predatory Stink Bug, Alcaeorrhynchus grandis (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) (EENY165/IN322)

Sometimes called the giant strong-nosed stink bug, this very large (20 mm) predatory stink bug occurs in several row crops and preys on other insects, especially lepidopterous larvae. The stages in the life cycle are presented here so that they can be identified in the field. This 3-page fact sheet was written by David B. Richman and Frank W. Mead, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in322

 

Spotted Wing Drosophila Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Insecta: Diptera: Drosophilidae) (EENY492/IN887)

Most Drosophila flies are associated with rotten or over-ripened fruits and are nuisance pests. However, a few species such as the spotted wing drosophila, D. suzukii (Matsumura), can infest un-ripened fruits and are of economic significance. First detected within the continental United States in August 2008, D. suzukii has become a serious threat to fruit crops. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Rajinder S. Mann and Lukasz L. Stelinski, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, May 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in887

 

The Blackberry (HS807/HS104)

Learn about traditional and promising new cultivars and how to grow them the home landscape. This 10-page fact sheet was written by Peter C. Andersen and Timothy E. Crocker, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, May 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs104

 

Weeds and Epidemiology of Bacterial Leaf Spot of Lettuce in the Everglades Agricultural Area (SSAGR347/AG357)

This 2-page fact sheet briefly covers the history, symptoms, and epidemiology of this disease of lettuce. Written by D.C. Odero, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, May 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag357

 

 

Livestock

 

Specialty Meat Marketing Claims: What's the Difference? (AN191)

American consumers are confused about the differences between meat products with special marketing claims (i.e., organic, natural, naturally raised, and grass-fed) and regular or commodity meat products. This 5-page report discusses these claims as defined by the USDA and addresses the differences between these products for food safety, human health, and eating quality.Written by Chad Carr, Larry Eubanks, and Ryan Dijkhuis and published by the UF Department of Animal Science, April 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an191

 

Preconditioning Calves Using Co-products (AN260)

Preconditioning cattle is a way to add value to a calf crop. It involves weaning, vaccination, and acclimating cattle to eating from feed bunks. This publication will focus on the nutrition, feedstuff considerations, and performance potential for different co-product options in preconditioning management. This 8-page fact sheet was written by Matt Hersom, Todd Thrift, and Joel Yelich , and published by the UF Department of Animal Science, May 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an260

 

 

Eye Gnats, Grass Flies, Eye Flies, Fruit Flies Liohippelates spp. (Insecta: Diptera: Chloropidae) (EENY485/IN884)

High concentrations of eye gnats are common in areas that have loose sandy soils, especially in the southern United States, and are a great nuisance to humans and animals in rural towns as well as agricultural, recreational, and tourist areas. While they do not bite, they can transmit several diseases to humans and livestock, including human acute conjunctivitis (pink eye). This 6-page fact sheet focuses broadly on two species that are common in the southeastern region of the United States are L. pusio and L. bishoppi (Sabrosky). Written by Erika Machtinger and Phillip E. Kaufman and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, April 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in884

 

Horn Fly Haematobia irritans irritans (Linnaeus) (Insecta: Diptera: Muscidae) (EENY490/IN885)

The horn fly is one of the most economically important pests of cattle worldwide. Just in the United States, hundreds of millions of dollars in losses are attributed to the horn fly annually, while additional millions are spent annually on insecticides to reduce horn fly numbers. Learn more about this pernicious obligate blood-feeding ectoparasite in this 7-page fact sheet, written by Dan Fitzpatrick and Phillip E. Kaufman, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, April 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in885

 

External Parasites on Beef Cattle (ENY274/IG130)

External parasites such as lice, flies, ticks, cattle grubs and mites are a serious problem to livestock breeders. These pests are most prevalent during spring and summer months; however, Florida's warm climate permits many pests to live year-round.

This revised 13-page fact sheet was written by P. E. Kaufman, P. G. Koehler and J. F. Butler, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, April 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ig130

 

Identifying and Treating Uterine Disease in Dairy Cows (VM179)

Uterine diseases are prevalent in high producing dairy cows and require prompt diagnosis and treatment. This 6-page fact sheet describes identification and treatment for four classes of uterine diseases in dairy cows. Written by Klibs N. Galvão, Carlos Risco, and Jose E.P. Santos, and published by the UF Department of Veterinary Medicine, May 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm179