Hot weather means cattle, like people, need more water

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™

September 2015

Serving Florida and South Georgia

VOL. 19 • NO. 09 12 PAGES

Hot weather means cattle, like people, need more water

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By Adam Speir

ust like humans, livestock are negatively impacted by poor water quality. Cattle that drink poor-quality water will drink less water and have a diminished feed intake, resulting in reduced average daily gains and return on investment. Cattle that drink less water due to the water’s poor quality are also more prone to heat stress and will spend more time in ponds or shade rather than grazing and gaining weight. Ideally, clean groundwater is the best source of water for cattle. Use of wells and water lines with water troughs or use of portable water tanks also provide clean water for cattle. Surface water, or water from ponds and streams, is most often the primary water source for cattle. Ponds and streams can be used effectively in a livestock operation, but both sources can be impacted by poor water quality very easily. Regardless of the water source, there are physical and chemical properties to monitor and consider. Water Temperature Cattle prefer water at temperatures between 40 degrees Fahrenheit and 65 F. When water reaches temperatures above 80 F, water and feed intake decrease. Groundwater main-

tains a stable temperature ideal for cattle. If groundwater is pumped into storage tanks that sit in direct sunlight, shading should be considered. Shallow ponds and streams that are not shaded will quickly increase in temperature in the summer months and impact cattle performance. Excess Nutrients An excess of nutrients is one of the most common sources

of problems in livestock water quality. Cattle that are allowed to wade in ponds and streams will urinate and defecate in the same water they are drinking. This buildup of nutrients results in pond algae blooms, nitrate toxicity and high mineral

levels. Blue-green algae buildup is common during drought conditions in summer months. When these algae die, release of the toxins can cause injury and death to cattle. Nitrate toxicity is a common problem with forages, and nitrates in surface water due to excess nutrients can exacerbate the problem. Excess manure or fertilizer runoff, or

animals directly adding nutrients to the water, can result in nitrate buildup. Nitrate toxicity can result in reduced oxygen-carrying capacity in the blood stream, and acute nitrate toxicity can quickly kill cattle. Chronic nitrate toxicity results

in reduced feed intake and performance in cattle. Mineral levels, especially sulfur, iron and manganese, can build up and reduce water intake due to foul odors. These excess minerals also impact normal mineral absorption and even result in deficiencies in minerals, such as copper and zinc. To avoid these issues, restricting cattle’s access to surface water while still providing water to those cattle, is critical. Fencing in ponds can reduce cattle’s loafing in ponds, which reduces sedimentation and nutrient loading. Water can be piped out of the pond to cattle, which can mitigate risks. Limited pond access can also be provided by allowing just enough room for cattle to reach the water in the pond without allowing wading and defecating in the pond. To determine water quality and its possible impacts on cattle, water testing is available through your local University of Georgia Cooperative Extension office. Test results can be provided, along with recommendations and strategies to help improve cattle gains and performance. Call 1-800-ASKUGA1 to learn more.

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Watermelon diseases a problem again for Georgia

It’s a bug-eat-bug world out there for strawberry growers

Farmer & Rancher 7270 Kyle Court Sarasota, FL 34240

Introducing Gulfsnow, a New Peach Variety from ARS

U

By Sharon Durham

PAID

PRSRT STD. U.S. POSTAGE

SUN CITY, FL PERMIT #20

.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), University of Georgia and the University of Florida scientists worked cooperatively to develop Gulfsnow, a new peach variety. The new variety should give growers in the southeastern lower coastal plain an edge in commercial production, and it offers consumers a more reliable supply of early-summertime peaches. Gulfsnow, requires only 400 hours of chilling to flower and set fruit. By comparison, June Gold, a variety commonly grown in the targeted production area, requires 650 hours of chilling. In years when winter chilling is insufficient, June Gold can’t reliably set fruit, resulting in re-

duced crop yields. Agricultural Research Service (ARS) horticulturalist Thomas Beckman, at the Fruit and Nut Research Laboratory in Byron, Georgia, developed Gulfsnow to overcome the chilling problem, which has become worse in recent years as wintertime temperatures have trended warmer and chilling hours have declined.

According to Beckman, Gulfsnow will probably be used as a fresh-market fruit. It has 50 to 60 percent red skin blush over a cream ground color. The roundshaped peach has flesh that is cream-white and firm. Gulfsnow ripens in early June in Attapulgus, Georgia, about 10 days after Gulfcrimson, another ARS-developed peach, ripens. New peach varieties with different harvest times help growers produce fruit for a longer period of time each summer. ARS has previously developed other “Gulf” series peaches— Gulfprince, Gulfking, Gulfcrest and Gulfcrimson—all considered by nurseries to be very reliable fruiting varieties.

11

UF researchers develop machine to count dropped citrus, identify problem

Gulfsnow has displayed good fruit shape, appearance, eating quality, firmness and a very low incidence of split pits, making it attractive to commercial growers, according to Beckman. A plant patent (US PP25299 P2) was awarded for the variety in February 2015. A propagation agreement is available through Florida Foundation Seed Producers, Inc., Gainesville, Florida.

PAGE 2 • SEPTEMBER 2015 • FARMER & RANCHER • 1-877-956-4098 • www.farmerandrancher.com

Local Leaders Elected to Farm Credit of Florida Board of Directors F

arm Credit of Florida President and CEO Greg Cunningham announced the cooperative association’s Board of Directors has elected Robert G. “Bobby” Sexton as chairman and Dr. Joseph Joyce as vice chairman of the board. Sexton, who previously served on the board as vice chairman, is a fourth generation citrus grower, packer and juice processor from Vero Beach, Florida. He currently serves on the Board of

Directors of AgFirst Farm Credit Bank. Sexton is co-owner of Lost Legend, LLC, and owner of Orchid Island Juice Company. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Oslo Citrus Growers Association, Lost Legend, LLC, Florida Citrus Packers, Indian River Citrus League, Sexton Grove Holdings, a family citrus company, Sexton Citrus, LLC, Sexton Properties of Vero Beach, Inc., Oslo Packing Company, and Sexton, Inc., family

He served as Senior Associate Vice President for IFAS from 1995-2015. He was appointed by the Governor to the Florida Environmental Regulation commission in 2008 and 2012, and serves as the Executive Director of the UF Leadership and Education Foundation. He is a past Director of the Citrus Research and Development Foundation and the SW Florida Research and Education Foundation, and

commercial real estate companies. He also serves as a Director for the Scholarship Foundation of Indian River County and HESCO, a packing house supply cooperative, and serves as an Outside Director for McArthur Farms. Joyce, of Gainesville, Florida, serves as the Director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) Center for Leadership.

a past Secretary/Treasurer of the Florida Aquatic Plant Management Society Scholarship and Research Foundation, Inc. He is a retired Brigadier General, US Army Reserves. Farm Credit of Florida’s directors are elected or appointed from our agricultural community because no one is better suited to put local farmers first when establishing policies, providing strategic direction and overseeing all major Farm Credit of Florida functions. Farm Credit of Florida is a customer-owned financial cooperative and a member of the nationwide Farm Credit System, which provides financing and expertise to farmers, agribusinesses and rural homeowners for land, homes and farm operating purposes. The cooperative has 1,800 members and $875 million in total assets with 11 offices serving Florida. Visit FarmCreditFl.com to learn more about patronage and our cooperative structure.

Mobile Labs Help Florida Agriculture Save Billions of Gallons of Water

Contact the Office of Communications: (850) 617-7737 [email protected]

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ALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today announced that Florida agriculture operations saved more than 12 billion gallons of water in the last fiscal year through the Mobile Irrigation Lab (MIL) program, which provides free irrigation system evaluations and on-site education to help producers improve irrigation efficiency. “Florida agriculture is increasing water conservation and productivity with the help of the Mobile Irrigation Lab program’s modern technology and techniques,” stated Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “Only through increased efficiency and conservation can the needs of Florida’s diverse water users be met — and Florida agriculture is doing its part.” Underscoring the importance of increased water conservation, water supply plans developed by Florida’s water management districts, in cooperation with Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, indicate a 1.3 billion gallon per day shortfall of water by 2030. The Mobile Irrigation Lab program is a partnership between the Florida Department of continued in Page 3

1-877-956-4098 • www.farmerandrancher.com • FARMER & RANCHER • SEPTEMBER 2015 • PAGE 3

Watermelon diseases a problem again Mobile Labs Help Florida for Georgia farmers Agriculture Save Billions of G Gallons of Water From page 2

eorgia producers were impacted by fusarium wilt as well as some gummy stem blight this growing season, according to University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable horticulturist Tim Coolong. “As far as having an impact on farmers’ bottom line, fusarium wilt was probably a bigger issue than gummy stem blight,” said Coolong, who classified this year’s crop as “average to good” for Georgia’s producers. “Fusarium wilt was a significant issue across the board, and there’s really not a lot of control options for that disease, especially if there is a race present for which there is no varietal resistance.” There are multiple “races” of fusarium wilt. Resistance is available for race 1 of fusarium wilt, but Georgia farmers have race 2 in many fields and “there’s no resistance for that right now,” he said. Fusarium wilt is a soil-borne disease. Not all farmers have to deal with fusarium wilt, but those who do suffer significant losses, particularly early in the season. “Farmers who have been growing watermelons a long time typically have the pathogen that causes fusarium wilt in some of their fields. When they have it, there’s not a whole lot they can do about it,” Coolong said. Gummy stem blight is typically a problem for watermelon farmers as well, especially in Cook County, Georgia, where almost 1,000 acres are produced every year. Tucker Price, the UGA Extension agricultural and natural resources agent in Cook County, said diseases had little impact on the crop in his county because farmers responded with

By Clint Thompson

timely and proactive fungicide applications. “I think if you have watermelons, you’re going to see gummy stem blight at some point. The ideal environment to see as little as possible involves any kind of weather that keeps moisture off the leaves. A good drip irrigation system, with no rain, that would be an ideal environment, if there was such a thing,” Price said. “Early reports of yields this year look pretty good.” Unlike other diseases for which impact can be predicted, gummy stem blight is a major problem because it can occur without warning. The fungal disease causes lesions on leaves and causes stems to exude a gummy material. It thrives in warm, wet conditions, much like what south Georgia experienced all summer. “It can damage leaves and the whole vine. If you don’t have vines, you don’t have watermelons,” Price said. “It is the disease that most of the watermelon fungicide programs are based on controlling.” UGA vegetable plant pathologist Bhabesh Dutta said management of gummy stem blight can be a “difference maker” because of the disease’s widespread impact. “Although cultural practices like deep turning of host debris, crop rotation and avoiding overhead irrigation help manage the disease to some extent, protective fungicide application is by far the most effective method for the management of gummy stem blight,” Dutta said. Price conducted watermelon fungicide trials on gummy stem blight this season and found most gummy stem fungicides worked well to control the disease. “But the vines

where fungicides were applied that focused on gummy stem blight didn’t last long after downy mildew started coming in,” he said. Despite gummy stem blight’s impact, Price warns growers not to overlook other diseases. “I think we sometimes get blinders on and look at just gummy stem. Whenever you spray watermelons with fungicides, you’re always proactive. You’ve got to stay one step ahead of it,” Price said. “Whenever we put out a fungicide spray for gummy stem, we need to put something else in there for anthracnose, downy mildew, powdery mildew and anything else that might come up. We’ve got to be careful not to get blindsided when getting so focused on one disease.” Watermelons accounted for 14.4 percent of Georgia’s vegetable production in 2013, according to the UGA Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development, $143.7 million in farm gate value. Of that, Cook County recorded $8.8 million in farm gate value from watermelons.

Cook County ANR agent Tucker Price holds up a watermelon plant infected with gummy stem blight disease. Image credit: Tucker Price.

Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and local water management districts. Between July 1, 2014 and June 30, 2015, the MIL program conducted more than 1,000 evaluations that resulted in the conservation of an additional 1.2 billion gallons of water, bringing the program’s estimated annual water savings to more than 12 billion gallons. These services are free-of-charge and provide site-specific expertise in analyzing irrigation systems and educating property owners on how to improve water conservation and use. The department and partners provide recommendations for improvements to the existing irrigation systems and equipment, and educates consumers on water conservation, irrigation planning, and irrigation management. Although the MIL program originally targeted agricultural water use, it also assists residential and commercial water users. Landscapes, nurseries, and golf courses have benefited greatly from the services provided by the MIL program. In addition to providing recommendations on irrigation system improvements, the department also assists farmers and ranchers by identifying water quality improvement opportunities available through Best Management Practices (BMPs). More than 9 million acres of Florida farms and ranches are enrolled in the BMP program. As a result of these efforts and the cooperation of industry, Florida agriculture is using water more efficiently, at the same time, increasing productivity. For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Mobile Irrigation Labs or Best Management Practices, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.

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Recipe Apple Enchiladas Ingredients 2 can apple fruit filing 12 flour tortillas 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2/3 cup butter 1/2 cup chopped pecans 1 cup sugar 1 cup packed light brown sugar 1 cup water Directions Spoon fruit filling evenly down center of each tortillas; sprinkle evenly with cinnamon. Roll up, and place, seam side down, in a lightly greased 4 quart baking dish. Bring butter and next 4 ingredients to a boil in a medium saucepan; reduce

heat, and simmer, stirring constantly, 3 minutes. Pour over enchiladas; let stand 30 minutes. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Serve with Vanilla Ice cream.

PAGE 4 • SEPTEMBER 2015 • FARMER & RANCHER • 1-877-956-4098 • www.farmerandrancher.com

It’s a bug-eat-bug world out there for strawberry growers G AINESVILLE, Fla. — A new University of Florida scientist is trying to find an insect that will eat the fly that’s damaging such fruit as strawberries and blueberries in the Sunshine State. Such a finding would be critical in Florida, where the strawberry harvest brought in $267 million in 2013, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Justin Renkema, an assistant professor in entomology, recently developed tools to help determine whether he’s found

By: Brad Buck, 352-294-3303, bradbuck@ufl.edu

a biological control for the Drosophila suzukii, commonly called the spotted wing drosophila. Among other goals of the experiments, Renkema and his co-authors wanted to detect the DNA of spotted wing drosophila after it’s been eaten by a predatory rove beetle. This is a critical test to know whether one insect has eaten another, he said. “The molecular tools we developed should be useful for testing whether other predators inhabiting fruit and berry fields consume spotted wing drosoph-

ila,” said Renkema, a new faculty member at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Balm. In their experiment, Renkema and his co-authors also wanted to know how many spotted wing drosophila larvae or pupae a rove beetle could eat. Normally, spotted wing drosophila infest fruit, so they also tested the ability of the rove beetle to enter infested fruit, find the flies’ larvae and eat them. They found that the rove beetle ate larvae, or immature flies, but not pupae – a more advanced developmental stage — of spotted wing drosophila, so more research is needed. “There is ongoing research around the world on parasitic wasps that infect larvae or pupae and beneficial fungi that infect adult flies,” he said. “Increasing the abundance and diversity of biological control agents should reduce populations of this pest and help build an integrated approach to management.” Spotted wing drosophila cuts a slit in the skin and lays eggs inside many fruits. The larvae

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UF/IFAS scientists warn of pharmaceutical peril for aquatic organisms in urban rivers

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By: Brad Buck, 352-294-3303, bradbuck@ufl.edu

AINESVILLE, Fla. — River beds in urban areas worldwide store pharmaceuticals, and University of Florida scientists warn they can pose a potential environmental danger to aquatic organisms. UF/IFAS Post-Doctoral Researcher Yun-Ya Yang conducted a study along rural and urban areas of the Alafia River, which runs through parts of Hillsborough County and empties into the Gulf of Mexico. In her study, Yang collected sediment samples at several sites along the river and found 17 pharmaceuticals. Yang found a lower amount of pharmaceuticals than in previous similar studies because river beds in Florida do not contain enough silt and clay, but they can still present an environmental concern. These types of chemicals are not confined to the Alafia River or urban-area rivers in Florida, said Gurpal Toor, an associate professor in soil and water science, who supervised Yang’s study. The scientists say their

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findings are representative of urban rivers worldwide, partly because wastewater treatments plants, septic systems and industrial wastewater empty into water bodies. Landfill chemicals also leach into water bodies. All these sources contribute these contaminants in the environment. The three most frequently found pharmaceuticals were carbamazepine, trimethoprim and pseudoephedrine, the study said. Humans absorb little of the medications they take. Most of it comes out in their urine or feces. The waste winds up in sewage systems and eventually into urban rivers, said Toor, a faculty member at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Balm. “Many of the pharmaceuticals degrade poorly or not at all during the wastewater treatment process, and are then carried into the environment,” Yang said. To help put fewer pharmaceuticals into the system – and keep them from getting into these rivers – UF/IFAS scientists recommend taking drugs back to police agencies. The next national drug take back day, organized by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, is in September. Scientists also recommend not flushing drugs down a toilet. Yang found only a tiny fraction of the 3,000 pharmaceutical compounds in the market. With so many more types of chemicals on the market, many more are bound to be in riverbeds, she said. Scientists lack sufficient data to assess the potential environmental risk posed by pharmaceuticals. But some of the pharmaceuticals not included in the UF/IFAS study may add substantially to the environmental significance, Yang said. In addition to the unknown pharmaceuticals, scientists are concerned about long-term exposure to the chemicals. The UF/IFAS study was published in the Journal of Soils and Sediments. It is available at http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11368-015-10777. For information on other contaminants of concern in everyday life including pharmaceuticals, consult a series of Extension publications that cover a broad range of the contaminants in the urban environment. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_ seris_contaminants_in_the_urban_environment.

1-877-956-4098 • www.farmerandrancher.com • FARMER & RANCHER • SEPTEMBER 2015 • PAGE 5

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PAGE 6 • SEPTEMBER 2015 • FARMER & RANCHER • 1-877-956-4098 • www.farmerandrancher.com

1-877-956-4098 • www.farmerandrancher.com • FARMER & RANCHER • SEPTEMBER 2015 • PAGE 7

From page 4

It’s a bug-eat-bug world out there for strawberry growers

from those eggs damage raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, cherries, grapes, peaches and plums. Native to Asia and first found in the continental U.S. in California in 2008, the fly has become common throughout most of the U.S. and North America, as well as in most European countries and southern Brazil. The study, led by Renkema when he was a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Guelph in Canada, is published in the journal Biological Control.

Justin Renkema, an assistant professor in entomology, recently developed tools to help determine whether he’s found a biological control for the Drosophila suzukii, commonly called the spotted wing drosophila. Among other goals of the experiments, Renkema and his co-authors wanted to detect the DNA of spotted wing drosophila after it’s been eaten by a predatory rove beetle. This is a critical test to know whether one insect has eaten another, he said. Credit: UF/IFAS.

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PAGE 8 • SEPTEMBER 2015 • FARMER & RANCHER • 1-877-956-4098 • www.farmerandrancher.com

Capt. Ric’s Reel Simple Fishing Report

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ain, rain go away, come again some other day. I think we all thought of that old rhyme in the past few weeks. The last report given was along the tune of things this time of year do not change much as the conditions are relatively constant. Well the past month has been an exception with more rain than normal, a lot more. This certainly did not help our inshore bite in the bay area. There are still fish to be caught but you may have to do a little hunting before you find them. Several thing happen when

we get as much rain as we have been getting. One of the things that happens is the salinity of the water changes and this will move some of our fish to other areas that maintain a higher salt level. The change seems to effect some species more than others. I live on the water and clean fish at my cleaning table on a regular basis and normally have 3 to 4 dozen catfish waiting for a handout, since the heavy rains started I have not seen them while discarding scraps. Another thing that a lot of rain will

do is stain the water. This is caused by the tannic acid that comes from the runoff. As the runoff flows thru the mangroves and other vegeta-

tion it will bring with it the tannins from the tree. It does no harm to the water but does give it that ice tea looking color. You will see this more around the rivers and creeks than on the beach areas due to the mangrove and oak tree donation. When the water gets stained from this natural condition it makes for a slower bite because the fish simply can’t see the bait as well. Imagine

you eating your sunday dinner at a well lit table and then compare that to trying to eat the same plate of food in the dark. It can still be done but the time and efforts to do so will certainly be different. Just a couple things to think about when fish in less than perfect conditions. Hope this helps. Until next time, good luck and be safe on the water. Remember: don’t let your kid be the one that got away, take them fishing. For charter information you can reach me at (813)6012900, CaptainRic@msn. com, or visit my website at ReelSimpleFishing.com

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LAND WANTED • Southern Pine Plantations Specializes In Farms, Timberland, Plantations And Recreation Properties And Is Seeking To Buy Properties Of 1,000 Acres Or Larger.

4600 Sq. Ft. Home All The Extras. $475,000

PROPERTY MGMT.

• 100 Acre Cattle Farm / Nice Home must see

www.sppfla.com

ALABAMA & NW FLORIDA

Columbia, Baker, Clay, Hamilton, Madison, Suwannee, Citrus, Lafayette, Union and Dixie Counties. Call toll-free at 386-752-3890 Atkinson Realty & Auction Inc.

• Now Selling minimum 10 acre lots, or up to 189 acres, some lots or on a 20 acre lake.

Southern Pine Plantations of FL Owns the property it sells.

210 Acre Horse, Cattle Or Hay Farm with plenty of Deer and Turkey. Fenced and cross fenced, pastures are all in Alicia Bermuda. Two bedroom one bath farmhouse with central heat and air, needs some work. Mobile home, deep well, 50x90 metal barn w/concrete floor, two storage buildings. There are 2 ponds, Very private yet only 4 miles to Nicholls, Ga. Beautiful rolling pastures with scattered oaks, a must see to appreciate. $2850 per acre. Call 912-381-5316 or email for pictures. [email protected]

WANTED: REAL ESTATE LISTINGS IN NORTH FLORIDA!

Three Sisters Ranch & Plantation Nicholls GA.

REAL ESTATE NORTH FLORIDA LAND

WE BUY DAMAGED GRAIN ANYWHERE IN ANY CONDITION WET OR DRY INCLUDING DAMAGED SILO CORN AT TOP DOLLAR

Wanted

www.atkinsononline.com

[email protected] www.atkinsononline.com

REAL ESTATE

CALL: HEIDI OR RANDY

[email protected]

6111 US Hwy 41 South Ruskin, Florida 33570

877-956-4098

WE HAVE VACS & TRUCKS

• ONLINE PUBLIC AUCTION

The Southwest Florida Water Management District DATE TO BE DETERMINED SOON! Mark Atkinson Auction Manager: 813-641-3822 TOLL FREE 800-756-4098

Call Toll-Free

We accept:

29± AC - Florida, Hay Fields, and Pond, Hwy and Graded Frontage.Will divide. $89,000. 483 AC - CRP Longleaf and Natural Timber. $966,000 ˛ Wayne County, GA 651 ± Acres or 712 ± Acres, US Hwy. 301 South, near Jesup, GA. Great location for Cattle Ranching, Farming, etc. $1250.00 Per Acre. Call or visit our website. ˛ Toombs County, GA 50 ± Acre Farm $2500 per Acre or 37 ± Acre Tract $2400 per Acre. for more information. [email protected] www.owacc.com 912-375-6016 or 912-375-3366 ext 352 **STUNNING 123-ACRE** With Stately Farmhouse, Shop & Ever Flowing Spring; In the Beautiful SEQUATCHIE Valley, TN. George Hamilton, Land & Auction Co. TAL 1557 (423)554-3933 www.hamiltonauction.com

140 - AC - CRP Longleaf and Natural Timber & Lake $280,000 623 AC - CRP Longleaf, Paved Frontage, Natural Timber & Lake $1,246,000

Please call Longleaf Land Co. LLC Jody J. Jones 334-493-0123 www.longleafland.com

FOR RENT 5,200 S.F. Air Conditioned Warehouse and Office

for Rent by owner only $7.00 per sf per year. Located at 6003 28th St. E. Saunders Road Industrial Park. Manatee County, Bradenton FL. 941-361-1125 or 813-477-3613

PAGE 10 • SEPTEMBER 2015 • FARMER & RANCHER • 1-877-956-4098 • www.farmerandrancher.com

Even Manatees Need Their Space: Proposal to Restrict Public Contact C

By: Suzanne Potter

RYSTAL RIVER, Fla. - The public can weigh in this week on strict new rules to limit the number of people who can swim with manatees at Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River. The U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife holds two meetings this week - on Wednesday night for companies that run swimwith-the-manatee tours, and on Thursday night for the general public. Jeff Ruch, executive director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, says his group recently threatened to sue the government over tourists’ mistreatment of manatees at the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. “We call this the ‘manatee rodeo,’” says Ruch. “Manatees are kicked, ridden, chased. Mothers are separated from calves, people ride the manatees. It’s no

way to treat an endangered species.” As many as 500 Florida manatees spend the winter in the warm waters of Three Sisters Springs. But last winter, on peak days, they ended up sharing their tiny habitat with up to 1,200 people. New rules would allow only five tour operators, down from 44, and fewer than 30 people, including trained guides, in the water at a time. Swimmers also would not be able to initiate contact and would have to stay six feet away unless a manatee approaches on its own. Refuge manager Andrew Gude says the agency doesn’t want to ban the swim-with-themanatee programs altogether because they raise awareness, which helps conservation. “For a lot of people, this is a life-changing experience for them to be able to do this, and we very much understand and

respect that,” he says. “But we also want to do it in a way that avoids any potential to disturb manatees.” The restrictions do not apply to the rest of Kings Bay, so many tour operators are expected to simply move nearby. The restrictions, if adopted, will take effect in time for this year’s manatee season, which begins Nov. 15. Information about the meetings is on the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge website.

Business Directory CHAROLAIS & ANGUS

MILLING EQUIPMENT

GAYLARD FARM

B&B MILLWRIGHT and METALWORKS, INC.

FLORIDA RAISED

&

Registered Registered Charolais Angus A.W. & Carolyn Gaylard

• Feed Mills • Bulk Feed Tanks • Grain Handling Equipment • Millwright Services • Flex-Auger Feed Systems • Swine Equip. • Beef Equip. • Poultry Equip.

Quality Square - Round Bale Coastal Bermuda & Tift 85

7183 240th St. • O’Brien, Florida 32071 Home: 386-935-0263 • Cell: 386-362-9571 E-mail: [email protected]

DENNIS • 352-585-2332

email: [email protected]

Polled Herefords

ADVERTISING

From the heart of Dixie —

Polled Hereford Bulls ready for service Catalog and Pricing at:

Be a part of the BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY

www.evergreenherefords.com

Evergreen Polled Herefords Old Town, Florida

$

(352) 498-0880 day; (352) 542-7135 eves (352) 356-1429 cell [email protected]

22.50 per month

Call: 877-956-4098

ANGUS

Wanted 100% REGISTERED ANGUS • Over 150 Purebred Bulls For Sale

Featuring sons of: • Complete EPDs and Performance Data GAR Predestined • Cows, Heifers and Calves Available GAR Retail Product www.floridaangus.com • 352-266-4471 Owner: Bill Freel, DVM

Old Motor Homes, Fifth Wheels, Travel Trailers, Pickup Trucks, Any Condition. Cash Paid On The Spot. Call Now For Quick Sale

(941) 347-717

Long Angus Ranch (Tampa) • Weirsdale (near Ocala)

The public can weigh in this week on proposed restrictions on tourists swimming with endangered manatees at Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge in Citrus County. Photo credit: Durden Images/iStockphoto.com

CLASSIFIED ORDER FORM ALL ADS MUST BE PREPAID

UP TO 20 WORDS: $19.50 Each additional word: 25¢ Deadline 5:00 p.m., 20th day of month prior to publication Be sure to include phone number in advertisement

Publish my ad to run _____ time(s) under the heading ____________________________. Enclosed is my check/money order/credit card information for $ __________. MAIL to: Farmer and Rancher • 7270 Kyle Court • Sarasota, FL 34240 or FAX to: 941-361-1065 We Accept: Call Toll-Free 877-956-4098 or 941-361-1064

1.__________________

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$20.00 $20.75 $21.50 $22.25

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Name:__________________________________________________________ Address:________________________________________________________ City:____________________________ State:______________ Zip:________ Phone:_________________________ 1234 123

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Expiration ___________ CVV# _________ (3 security digits on back of card. See sample above)

1-877-956-4098 • www.farmerandrancher.com • FARMER & RANCHER • SEPTEMBER 2015 • PAGE 11

UF researchers develop machine to count dropped citrus, identify problem areas in groves A

s citrus greening continues to impact Florida’s groves, growers have found that they need a way to quickly and accurately count the amount of fruit dropped early to help identify problem areas, which will save time and money. University of Florida researchers Wonsuk “Daniel” Lee, Daeun “Dana” Choi, Reza Ehsani and

By Kimberly Moore Wilmoth, 352-294-3302, k.moore.wilmoth@ufl.edu

Fritz Roka devised a “machine vision system” to count citrus fruit that has dropped early. The device is suitable for various conditions in citrus groves, including addressing problems of variable lighting, giving accurate estimates of dropped fruit counts and providing exact locations of trees with greater fruit drop, indicating a problem area.

“This machine could have significant economic value to citrus growers,” said Lee, an agricultural and biological engineering professor in UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. “First, fruit drop data would enable crop production estimates to be revised more accurately and timely during the course of a harvest season, and could also assist growers in

scheduling their harvests to minimize fruit losses from the most affected areas.” In addition, the researchers said, growers could use the data to detect where citrus greening is most prevalent in their groves. Growers could then implement management practices, such as fertilization programs and irrigation schedules, to fight greening and other diseases, and minimize the fruit drop. All of that would help cut costs and increase profits. Currently, fruit drop data are collected by sampling random areas within a specific area and manually counting dropped fruit, which is costly and time consuming. Other researchers have developed imaging machines but had problems with the color resolution in their images, depending on the time of day pictures were taken. Like Monet paintings of the same subject created at different times of the day, colors can vary greatly depending on the light. Lee and the UF/IFAS team created an outdoor imaging system with two cameras that deliver the three basic color components — red, green and blue — to obtain accurate color images. They were equipped with microprocessors and had special “charge-coupled device” sensors, which turn light into electrons for greater resolution. They were also designed with

the conditions of citrus groves in mind: dusty and humid with high temperatures and low-hanging branches. Finally, a global positioning system receiver was attached. Images were taken in May 2013 in a commercial grove in Fort Basinger, Fla., owned by Lykes Brothers, Inc., with the truck moving forward at an average speed of 5 miles an hour. Researchers took 180 images at three illumination levels — dark, medium and bright. Citrus fruit under dark illumination, due to cloud cover, appeared almost brown and there was no distinctive color variation between the background and the fruit, making it hard to count accurately. However, at medium and bright illumination, the fruit color was orange and bright yellow. Lee’s machine had an accuracy rate of as much as 88 percent. The team’s research has been accepted for publication by the Transactions of the ASABE (American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers) journal. The team is already working on a machine vision system using multiple video cameras with high-definition resolution. They plan to make their current machine vision system a real-time system that can be used easily in a commercial citrus grove.

PAGE 12 • SEPTEMBER 2015 • FARMER & RANCHER • 1-877-956-4098 • www.farmerandrancher.com

1,151± Acres

FARMLAND AUCTION Hendry & Collier Counties, FL

SEPT. 17TH at 1PM - LABELLE CIVIC CENTER The property is located along the Collier-Hendry County Line on Thorp Road, approximately 10 miles from Immokalee. It will be auctioned in 6 farmland tracts ranging in size from approx. 80± to 300± acres as well as a 5 acre radio tower tract. The property features over 140 citrus acres and over 750 vegetable acres.

For More Information on the Auction & Open House Dates, Call or Visit:

(800) 607-6888 | www.MurrayWiseAssociates.com (863) 293-5600 | www.CrosbyDirt.com

Two UF/IFAS animal sciences faculty members each earn $450K cattle research grants

G

By: Brad Buck, 352-294-3303, bradbuck@ufl.edu

AINESVILLE, Fla. — Geoff Dahl wants to know why heat makes cows less prone to produce milk, even when they are not lactating. Dahl, a UF/IFAS animal sciences professor, has won a $450,000 grant from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to study how to reduce mammary cell growth so he and his colleagues can develop strategies to limit the negative impact of heat stress on cows that are late in pregnancy and not producing milk, the so-called “dry cows.” Dahl was one of two UF/IFAS animal sciences faculty members to win $450,000 NIFA grants last week. Cliff Lamb, a professor at the North Florida Research and Education Center in Marianna, Florida,

will study the differences in fetal development of Bos Indicus cows compared to Bos Taurus cows. Heat stress causes cows to eat less and reduces milk during lactation, Dahl said. But it also decreases mammary growth late in a cow’s pregnancy, when cows normally do not produce milk as they prepare for the next lactation. “That depression of mammary growth translates to less milk throughout the next lactation, and thus reduced efficiency and profitability for dairy producers,” said Dahl, who’s also chair of the Department of Animal Sciences. Dahl and his colleagues will go to the UF/IFAS Dairy Unit in Hague, Florida, to study the physiological mechanisms that reduce mammary cell growth. That way, they can develop ways to limit the negative impact of heat stress in “dry” cows. Researchers will house these cows in heat-stress or cooled conditions, collect mammary biopsies during the dry period, track mammary growth impacts of heat stress early in the dry period and as calving time approaches, and try to connect those changes to milk yield in the next lactation. They anticipate cooling during the cows’ early dry period will help mammary growth and thus production, Dahl said. This should lead to better cattle management methods to maximize milk production. Lamb plans to use his grant to study to determine if fetus and calf development differs between Bos indicus and Bos taurus cattle when faced with nutritional restrictions in early gestation (a cow’s pregnancy). He wants to see how that affects subsequent cattle performance. “If feeding pregnant cows a higher energy diet in early gestation alters fetal development and enhances subsequent growth of calves, then altering the nutritional management of the herd would be prudent,” Lamb said. Bos indicus cows live mostly in warmer climates — including Florida — as opposed to Bos taurus cows, which live in colder areas. Research shows Bos indicus cattle fetuses grow slower in the uterus during early and mid-gestation. There are also indications in some studies that these fetuses grow faster in late gestation, thus leading to fetuses that are larger than their cows of the Bos taurus variety. This fetal growth pattern can produce lifelong changes to the cow’s metabolism, growth, immunology and reproduction, Lamb said. “We propose that the poor postnatal growth performance of Bos-indicus-based genetics is programmed during early fetal development and this limits postnatal growth potential of these offspring,” Lamb said. “If this is the case, then modifying the environment could alter fetal development in ways that improve postnatal growth and production efficiency.”