The nursery industry stands out above the crowd when we take a look at Sumter County's agricultural producers. More than 75% of all crop sales came from the nursery sector, according to the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture. Among the many commodities ... READ MORE
Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Horticulture, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
There is no doubt that cattle prices are high. With added income this year, you may be considering investing some of that money instead of sending it in as taxes next April. It is important to make wise use of that money to provide years of ... READ MORE
Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Farm Management, Livestock
Producers have implemented Best Management Practices (BMPs) that maintain or improve water quality, quantity, and soil conditions on their farms for many years. For the purposes of the Florida Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services ... READ MORE
Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Livestock, Water
If you’ve ever made a gumbo before (or you’re feeling adventurous this Mardi Gras season), you’ve faced a decision near the end: how to thicken it. Contrary to popular belief, the roux – a mix of flour and fat that forms the base of ... READ MORE
Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops
As an agriculture agent, one question I get a lot is "How do I apply for the ag exemption?" Clients who ask this are typically referring to granting their property Agricultural Classification, more commonly referred to as "Greenbelt." Agricultural ... READ MORE
Category: Agribusiness, Agribusiness, Agriculture, Farm Management
Preservation of agricultural land is crucial. Annually, one million acres of farmland are converted to nonfarm uses. Most of the conversion happens in metropolitan counties where four out of five Americans live. Urban agriculture is an emerging ... READ MORE
Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Conservation, Fruits & Vegetables, Natural Resources, Water
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major disruptions to Florida food markets. Sales of food products to restaurants and schools have fallen drastically. Some farmers markets have closed. Sales through grocery stores spiked upward initially, but ... READ MORE
Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension
Cattle owners vaccinating their cattle to prevent sickness is a prime example of “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This single management practice provides a huge step toward lowering the incidence of antibiotic use in ... READ MORE
Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Livestock, Pests & Disease
In a nutshell, Beef Quality Assurance is a national program that raises consumer confidence by educating people on proper management techniques and a commitment to quality within every segment of the beef industry (BQA.org). When better quality ... READ MORE
Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Farm Management, Livestock, UF/IFAS Extension
The Range Cattle Research and Education Center (RCREC) is a unit of the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) founded in 1941, and a field day is a great way to showcase this establishment. With 2840 acres ... READ MORE
Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Livestock, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research