An arbovirus...? What's that? West Nile virus is one of many arboviruses in Florida. "Arbovirus" may sound like it must be related to the Latin word for tree: arbor. So it might seem like it should mean a virus that infects trees. In fact, ... READ MORE
Category: Livestock, Pests & Disease, Wildlife
Here’s the truth: goats are super cute. When I’m stressed out, nothing calms me down faster than a visit to one of the Twitter accounts or subreddits I follow that exclusively post goat photos and videos. Naturally, I was excited to help ... READ MORE
Category: 4-H & Youth, Livestock
A well-run, profitable business is usually more efficient than its competitors. In the case of the beef cattle industry, competition can come from two sources: other producers who sell similar classes of cattle, and other protein-producing species, ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Livestock, Money Matters
Eggcellent Adventures in Classroom Embryology is about learning through experience. In most cases, when a teacher signs up to teach chicken embryology in the classroom, the teacher sets up the incubator and the teacher and class wait for the ... READ MORE
Category: 4-H & Youth, Agriculture, Curriculum, Livestock
Anyone who keeps birds, whether as pets or as production animals, should be aware that certain avian diseases can be transmitted to humans. The seriousness of the disease in humans varies with human hosts' age, overall health, and immune status ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Food Safety, Health & Nutrition, Livestock, Pests & Disease
A recent rise in suspected horse poisonings has brought new attention to creeping indigo (Indigofera spicata), a toxic plant which has reportedly been in Florida for as long as 90 years. This new 5-page fact sheet covers plant description, signs ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Livestock
Inadequate poultry nutrition results in substandard growth rates as well as decreased egg production and weight. In order to express the genetic potential for which they were selected, meat- and egg-type birds must receive the correct amounts ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Livestock
Body condition score (BCS) indicates how much fat a cow has on its body, which is an important factor in cow health and reproductive capacity. Growers can use BCS to understand and manage the health of a herd and maintain a profitable operation. ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Livestock
To perform a fetotomy means to dissect (to cut apart) a dead fetus in utero. Fetotomy is applicable particularly to cows because of the size of the uterus and the opportunity to introduce instruments to the full depth of the fetus. Fetotomy ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Livestock
Getting cattle to put on a lot of muscle quickly is a crucial part of a beef cattle operation's profitability. Growth promoting implants are one of the most cost-effective ways of increasing lean tissue in cattle and work by releasing hormones ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Livestock