A recent increase in the spread of cogongrass has landowners scrambling to find ways to stop this invasive plant. There are ways to combat cogongrass, with positive identification and persistent treatment being paramount. Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) is found… Read More
January and February are pivotal months for area beekeepers. Although our warm climate is great for beekeeping, there are a few things to keep in mind while managing bee colonies this time of year. For general management, it’s… Read More
Driving through rural parts of the Panhandle this time of year, one will find pastures with thick green canopies, exploding with the yellow-gold flowers. Perennial peanut is in bloom. This is a highly nutritional forage option for livestock, but… Read More
Florida’s citrus producers, as well as backyard growers have battled detrimental issues like hard freezes and storm damage over the years. However, in recent years, emergent bacterial diseases known as citrus canker and citrus greening have been devastating… Read More
Ray Bodrey, UF/IFAS Gulf County Extension Director & Kalyn Waters, UF/IFAS Holmes County Extension Director A sudden, fierce attack of armyworms is currently underway on Panhandle forages. Livestock and hay producers should be on the lookout for this… Read More
It’s harvest time for many choice honey crops. That means it’s also time to plan for hive maintenance concerning next year’s harvest. Summer is great time for hive maintenance, as there are limited active pollen producing plants. So,… Read More
Florida is home to literally thousands of ponds, some natural, some man made. Most of these ponds are used solely for recreation. However, some ponds are used for farming needs, whether for irrigation or livestock purposes. In either… Read More
If life were simple, one of its advantages would be that an apiary could be established and the beehives would never have to be moved. But life isn’t simple, and beekeepers need to move their bees for various… Read More
Cross pollination is carried on mainly by insects, especially by honeybees, bumblebees, and to a very limited extent, other bee-like insects. The honeybee, of all insects, is most peculiarly adapted to the task of cross pollination. Most insects… Read More
Over everything the beekeeper does hangs the honey producer’s main objective: maximizing bee populations in time for major nectar flows. The next major nectar flows in north Florida will be spring; but beekeepers need to start working now… Read More
