(UF/IFAS) — New technology being developed by University of Florida scientists identifies two dangerous tomato diseases with 99 percent accuracy. This finding is critical because diseases can cost growers millions of dollars annually in the state’s third most valuable crop. Thus, the earlier farmers detect those ailments, the better their chances of treating them before the diseases cause excessive damage. …
What to Watch for in 2020 Crop Genetics
By Kevin Folta Two decades ago, we were waking up and celebrating that our computers didn’t melt down on New Year’s Day. We could still tote a bottle of iced tea through an airport security line, and we were on the front side of a stock market bubble bloated with tech stocks and ready to burst. At the same time, …
Sustainable Agriculture Systems in Organic Production
By Ayanava Majumdar Organic farming, as part of a sustainable agriculture system, emphasizes profitable farming, good stewardship of natural resources (land, air and water) and high quality of life for everyone involved from production to consumption. Today, organic food is one of the fastest growing agricultural sectors. In fact, organic food demand is currently outpacing availability of organic crops. So, …
USDA Invests in Rural Broadband Infrastructure for Alabama Families
(USDA/RD) — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Donald “DJ” LaVoy announced USDA has invested $62.3 million in high-speed broadband infrastructure that will create or improve e-Connectivity for more than 8,000 rural households, 57 farms, 44 businesses, 17 educational facilities, 14 critical community facilities and three health care facilities in rural Alabama. This is one …
Florida Water-Quality Plans Include Focus on Septic Systems
By Andrea Albertin and Mary Lusk As the state of Florida moves forward with watershed and springs basin restoration plans, also known as basin management action plans (BMAPS), reducing nitrogen loads to degraded water bodies is a priority in many areas. Nitrogen is an essential plant nutrient, but in excess in certain aquatic ecosystems it can lead to water-quality deterioration …
Researching New Fertilizer Technologies in North Florida
By Karla Arboleda To find efficiency in reducing nitrogen levels in soil, researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) are working with several technologies. Bob Hochmuth, a UF/IFAS Extension agent at the North Florida Research and Education Center – Suwannee Valley (NFREC-SV), coordinates controlled-release fertilizer research. The work aims to improve the functionality of …
Updating North Carolina Research Stations With New Technology
By Karla Arboleda North Carolina State University (NC State) and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services are working to update research stations with new technology. Together, the two institutions will improve technology in 18 research stations across the state. Jason Ward, an assistant professor in the biological and agricultural engineering department at NC State, talked about the …
USDA Funds $77.8 Million for Sustainable Agriculture Research, Includes NC State
By Karla Arboleda The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture invested $77.8 million toward efforts to support sustainable agriculture research. North Carolina State University (NC State) is one of eight universities funded for research. Chris Reberg-Horton, professor of cropping systems at NC State, and Steven Mirsky, agro-ecologist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, are codirecting …
Preparing for Farm Technology
The world of artificial intelligence, robots and big data is upon us, and agriculture will not be left out. Nobody knows this better than Vonnie Estes, vice president of technology at the Produce Marketing Association (PMA). Her job is to work with farmers nationwide to help them learn how to adopt such technologies. Estes also serves as a resource for …
What’s Keeping Growers From Adopting Technology?
By Karla Arboleda Precision agriculture technologies are not as widely used as they are available, and researchers want to figure out why this is the case for Florida growers. Tara Wade, assistant professor at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) in the Food and Resource Economics Department, is studying this issue. She says global positioning …