Polk Small Farms: New Agriculture Publications, October 2016

New #EDISpubs in the Agriculture program area include:

· Crops: Thai guava cost estimates

· Nursery & Greenhouse: consumer preferences in pollinator and ornamental landscape plants

· Livestock: whitehead broom in pastures

Agriculture

Crops

Cost Estimates of Establishing and Producing Thai Guavas in Florida, 2014

The white Thai guava variety, which is very popular in the Asian market, is beginning to expand into mainstream markets. It has quick, high yields, is easily propagated and is tolerant to moisture stress and soil salinity. But even though it offers favorable returns, there has been little information about the cost of production. This 7-page fact sheet identifies inputs, costs, and yields considered to be typical of a well-managed five-acre Thai guava orchard in south Florida. Written by Stella Garcia, Edward A. Evans, and Jonathan Crane and published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, August 2016.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe998

Nursery & Greenhouse

Are Consumers Interested in Ornamental Plants That Benefit Pollinator Insects?

Population declines among bees, butterflies, and other pollinator insects are very worrying because 70% of the world’s food crop production depends upon these tiny insect workers. Fortunately, ninety million US households have yards, landscapes, or gardens that can enhance pollinator habitat and health. Consumers’ actions can drastically impact pollinator insects and even help them to recover. This 5-page fact sheet written by Hayk Khachatryan and Alicia Rihn and published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, October 2016, describes a new UF/IFAS study of consumers’ actions and perceptions as they considered ornamental plants that benefit pollinators. It covers consumers’ current actions to aid pollinators, their interest in purchasing plants to help pollinators, and their perceptions about plant availability, and it describes strategies for merchants and producers to cater to consumer preferences for in-store communications/promotions and help them to find and purchase plants that aid pollinator insects.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe997

Florida Consumer Preferences for Ornamental Landscape Plants

Certain attributes of ornamental landscape plants make them more attractive to consumers. This 5-page fact sheet written by Hayk Khachatryan and Alicia Rihn and published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, October 2016, assesses the impacts of price, plant type, pollinator friendliness, production methods, and origin attributes on consumers’ purchasing likelihood for ornamental landscape plants. Recommendations for green industry stakeholders are also provided.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe1000

Livestock

Biology and Management of Whitehead Broom in Pastures

Whitehead broom, also known as shrubby false buttonweed or southern larraflower, is becoming problematic in south Florida pastures, hayfields, and rights-of-way. This 2-page fact sheet discusses a few options to control this species. Written by Brent Sellers and James McWhorter, and published by the UF Agronomy Department, August 2016.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag409

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