For the last five months, I have been telling producers one thing: wait until June. Now June is here, and with recent rainfall across our area, many pastures finally have the moisture needed to make pasture management investments pay off. ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Farm Management, UF/IFAS Extension
With colder days coming to an end, winter is slowly making way for spring. As temperatures rise, it’s time to begin preparing your pasture for spring green-up. Taking a few proactive steps now can improve forage production, reduce weed pressure, ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Farm Management, Livestock
Maintaining healthy pastures is essential for livestock nutrition and overall farm productivity. In Central Florida, where sandy soils and high rainfall present unique challenges, proper soil management and fertilization are crucial for sustaining ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Farm Management, Livestock, Turf,
Stems are erect, branched and can get to 6ft in height. Leaflets are egg-shaped pinnately compound. Unfortunately, it is not a welcome perennial plant anywhere near cattle or hay pastures. This plant is very toxic to livestock, cow, horse ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Farm Management, Horticulture, Livestock, Turf, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Increasing amounts of carbon are being emitted into the atmosphere, playing a role in our changing climate patterns. Reducing these emissions requires policy, behavior change, and access to new technologies (among other things). While we may ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Conservation, Farm Management, Livestock, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Research
As cooler weather arrives in Central Florida, it’s time to start thinking about pasture preparation for the coming season. Whether you're a seasoned pasture owner or a newcomer to caring for your land, taking the right steps now will ensure ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Farm Management, Livestock, UF/IFAS Extension,
Do you have Smutgrass invading your pasture? Smutgrass is an invasive grass that comes from Asia. It ranks as the second most problematic weed in perennial pastures in Florida. Mature smutgrass plants are unpalatable ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension
Thistles are a common weed found in pastures throughout South Florida that can have an economic impact on your cattle operation through loss of grazing and reduced forage production which can lead to reduced weaning weights. Thistles are biennials, ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Livestock
It is the time of year to start implementing cool-season forages in your pastures. Our perennial warm season pasture grasses in Florida become dormant in the fall and winter months because of the shorter days, cooler temperatures, and frosts. ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Livestock
We can’t manage what we can’t measure. With an accurate soil test, a strategy can be made to solve even the most difficult of problems in our pastures. When was the last time that you took an accurate soil sample in your fields? You typically ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Livestock