Ticks:  A Health Risk for Livestock and their Owners

Ticks: A Health Risk for Livestock and their Owners

  Most people can probably tell you that ticks carry Lyme disease. This bacterial disease can cause long-term health problems for humans if left untreated, but it is thankfully relatively rare to find in Florida (132 confirmed cases in 2016). Though Lyme disease...
Weed of the Week:  Perilla Mint

Weed of the Week: Perilla Mint

Perilla Mint is a toxic ornamental that has escaped from landscapes in the Southern U.S. and is now an established pasture weed. As a summer annual it grows in shaded areas up to a height of 2 feet tall. It is often identified by its purple shading on the undersides...
Thinning the Pawpaw Patch in Your Pastures

Thinning the Pawpaw Patch in Your Pastures

Pawpaws (Asimina spp.) are members of the custard family, and 10 species are known to occur in the state.  Of these 10, fourpetal pawpaw (Asimina tetramera) is on the endangered species list, but this species is found primarily in coastal pine scrub habitats in Martin...
Sunn Hemp for Forage or Wildlife Food Plots

Sunn Hemp for Forage or Wildlife Food Plots

Sunn hemp is a fast growing, warm season, annual legume.  It grows 6-7 feet tall.  Sunn hemp can tolerate a wide range of soil pH (5.0-8.4).  It is native to India and Pakistan.  The University of Hawaii and USDA NRCS, together, released the variety called “Tropic...
Weed of the Week: Lantana

Weed of the Week: Lantana

  First introduced into the southern states as a perennial ornamental, Lantana is easily identified during the growing season by its vibrant multi-colored flowers. Currently, Lantana is listed as one of the top 10 more troublesome weeds in Florida, with...
Managing Dung Beetles to Enhance Cattle Production

Managing Dung Beetles to Enhance Cattle Production

Authors: Derrick Conover, and Xavier Martini, UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center Throughout the world, dung beetles are important beneficial insects to cattle pasture ecosystems, as they support the processing and removal of livestock waste. With...