Cooperative Extension Service Research Articles

Secure Pesticide Storage: Security Against Terrorist Threats

Many farmers and managers of pesticide storage facilities had concerns about biosecurity and agroterrorism even before the Oklahoma City bombing and the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on our nation. Businesses that manufacture, reformulate, sell, distribute, transport, store, or apply pesticides have long known the mitigation steps for safety of their workers, customers and communities. In todays age, these efforts may not necessarily be enough. This document is PI-42, one of a series of the Pesticide Information Office, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date May 2005.

Improving Cow Fertility Through Fish Meal Supplementation

A goal on most dairy farms is to keep the interval between the time a cow calves and the time she becomes pregnant again as short as possible. Keeping this time interval short, however, is opposed by the high nutritional demands of lactation. The energy required for milk production usually exceeds the energy eaten by the cow in the first couple of months after freshening. Therefore, the cow must rely on the energy stored in her body as fat to help support her milk production. This condition, called negative energy status, can force cows to delay their return to estrus until their diet supplies more and more of their energy requirement. If the negative energy state is severe or prolonged, the number of days open can be excessive and costly. This document is DS-95, one of a series of the Animal Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date February 7, 2002. Revised July 19, 2005.

Citrus Diseases Exotic to Florida: Black Spot

The authors' intent is to: 1) provide a basis for evaluating exotic pathogens that may pose potential risks to Florida citrus; and 2) to create a decision-making framework to prevent their introduction and spread. This paper will discuss citrus black spot. This document is Fact Sheet PP-213, one of a series of the Plant Pathology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication date: September 2005.

Shopping at Sales

Although there are many different kinds of sales, they all can be grouped into two general classifications: promotional and clearance. By recognizing the type of sale, a consumer is better able to anticipate the potential condition of merchandise and the amount of price reduction. This document is Fact Sheet FCS 5019, a series of the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Revised: June 2005. First Published: April 1982.

Pesticide Toxicity Profile: Thiocarbamate Fungicides

This document provides a general overview of human toxicity, provides a listing of laboratory animal and wildlife toxicities and a cross reference of chemical, common and trade names of thiocarbamate pesticides used as fungicides registered for use in Florida. This document is PI-62, one of a series of the Pesticide Information Office, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date September 2005.

Herbicides Registered for Pine Management in Florida – 2005 Update

This publication presents a list of herbicides registered for forestry use in Florida (Table 1) and provides information on their basic weed control characteristics and silvicultural applications (Table 2). All herbicide active ingredients important in pine management in Florida are included. Others, that are registered in Florida, but are rather marginally used for pine plantations, like 2,4-D, atrazine, dicamba, paraquat, and simazine, are also listed. Since an increasing number of private and public owners manage their forestlands for non-commodity purposes, herbicides that are intended mostly for turf and/or landscape maintenance, but also labeled for forestry, have been included as well. This document is CIR1475, one of a series of the School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. First published in April 2005.

Pruning Landscape Trees and Shrubs

The objective of this document is to present pruning techniques for Florida trees, shrubs and palms. The need for pruning, timing, types of pruning, tree pruning, shrub pruning and tools are discussed separately. Specific examples will support the pruning concepts. This document is Circular 853 (MG087), Environmental Horticulture Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. This document supersedes The Woody Ornamentalist, Vol. 14, No. 7 (published July 1989) and Special Series #2, SS-ORH-902, both titled Pruning Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. This information supports Environmental Landscape Management, i.e., landscape design and management for environmental horticulture. Publication date: June 1990. Reviewed: August 1994. Revised June 2005.

Florida Avocado Production and Profitability Analysis

This article provides an estimate of the costs and returns associated with avocado production in Miami-Dade County and a brief analysis of the profitability of the industry. The budget is based on a 5-year average yield of 8,000 pounds per acre (assuming a pack-out rate of 94%) and on estimates of the current average F.O.B. price in South Florida of $0.85 per pound. The budget does not make any provision for establishment costs. Although the assumptions made in computing the costs reflect the practices of the avocado growers in the area, the information provided here is intended only as a guide to facilitate estimating the financial requirements of maintaining avocado groves. Data used in the analysis were obtained from interviews with growers and Extension specialists. This is EDIS document FE575, a publication of the Department of Food and Resource Economics, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. Published November 2005.

Reaching Diverse Audiences

This paper is the second in a series of articles on planning programs to effectively outreach to diverse audiences. This series will include specialized papers on enhancing cultural competence, recruiting diverse volunteers, planning culturally appropriate marketing strategies, and other topics that are integral to the design and implementation of culturally relevant Extension education programs. This document is FCS9218, one of a series of the Family Youth and Community Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date September 2005.

Common Freshwater Fish Parasites Pictorial Guide: Nematodes

This publication is one in a series of pictorial guides that is designed to assist in the identification of common freshwater fish parasites. The information provided in this guide is not intended to be a complete, detailed description of each parasite or parasite group and its characteristics but rather is intended to assist in the visual identification of some of the most common species or groups of parasites seen in freshwater fish. For further information on each parasite, refer to publications in the “Recommended Reading” and “Reference” sections. This document is Fact Sheet FA-113, one of a series from the Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. First published: July 2005. 
 FA-113/FA113: Common Freshwater Fish Parasites Pictorial Guide: Nematodes (ufl.edu)

Pesticide Container Rinsing

This document explains what procedures are involved in creating a legally empty container. This document is PI-3, one of a series of the Pesticide Information Office, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Revised May, 2005. 
 PI-3/PI003: Pesticide Container Rinsing (ufl.edu)

Getting Started in Butterfly Gardening

This publication was developed for individuals who are just getting started in butterfly gardening or who want to pursue the hobby with a good chance of success. This document is ENY-722, one of a series of Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Services, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication Date: February 2005.

Stink Bugs and Leaffooted Bugs Are Important Fruit, Nut, Seed and Vegetable Pests

Stink bugs (Pentatomidae) and leaffooted bugs (Coreidae) are important direct pests of many seed, fruit, vegetable and nut crops. Recently they have become serious pests of cotton because of the reduction in pesticide use resulting from the eradication of the boll weevil and the implementation of genetically-modified cotton. This document is ENY-718, one of a series of Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Services, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication Date: April 2005.
 ENY-718/IN534: Stink Bugs and Leaffooted Bugs Are Important Fruit, Nut, Seed and Vegetable Pests (ufl.edu)

How Are Pesticides Classified?

This guide explains the classification system used by experts to define how pesticides are classified. This document is PI-46, one of a series of the Pesticide Information Office, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date June 2005.

Ligustrum Weevil (suggested common name), Ochyromera ligustri Warner (Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Tychiinae: Tychiini: Endaeina)

A seed-attacking weevil was recently found attacking Chinese privet in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida (Cuda and Zeller 1998). The insect was discovered in a sample of several hundred seeds collected for germination studies. Six weevil adults that emerged from the infested seed sample were later identified (by M.C. Thomas) as the ligustrum weevil, Ochyromera ligustri Warner. The remaining seed stock from Tallahassee was dissected and inspected for the presence of the insect. Weevil larvae were recovered from 89 of the 358 seeds examined. Overall, 24.9% of the Chinese privet seeds collected were infested with weevil larvae. Voucher specimens of the larval and adult stages of the ligustrum weevil were deposited in the Florida State Collection of Arthropods, Division of Plant Industry, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Gainesville. This document is EENY-343, one of a series of Featured Creatures from the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published: May 2005. 
 EENY343/IN620: Ligustrum Weevil (suggested common name), Ochyromera ligustri Warner (Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Tychiinae: Tychiini: Endaeina) (ufl.edu)

Reduced Use of Restricted and Danger-Labeled Pesticides in Florida Bell Pepper Production (1992-2004)

Pesticide use values for 2004 compared to peak usage data for the period 1992 through 2004 demonstrate a 56% reduction in the application of restricted or “Danger”-labeled insecticides in bell pepper. Paraquat use was reduced by 89%. Fumigant use (35% reduction) was mainly influenced by rate reduction, rather than reduction of use (1-7). This document is PI-86, one of a series of publications of the Pesticide Information Office, Agronomy Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published November 2005.

American Alligator Ecology and Monitoring for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan

The American alligator once occupied all wetland habitats in south Florida, from sinkholes and ponds in pinelands to freshwater sloughs to mangrove estuaries. Nearly all aquatic life in the Everglades is affected by alligators (Beard, 1938). As a top predator in their ecosystem, they undergo an extraordinary change in body size and consume different prey items as they grow. As ecosystem engineers, the trails and holes that alligators build provide refuge for wading birds and fish during the dry season, and their nests provide elevated areas for nests of other reptiles and germination of plants less tolerant of flooding. This document is Cir 1478, one of a series of the Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Department, University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Publication date: November, 2005.

Application Considerations for Successful Use of VIF and Metalized Mulches with Reduced Fumigant Rates in Tomato

This document is HS287, a publication of the Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, IFAS, University of Florida. Published August 2005.

Returning Merchandise: Registering a Consumer Complaint

Consumers return purchases for a variety of reasons. Sometimes they change their minds and do not want an item. Perhaps the purchase cant be used as planned, the color or fit is wrong or the product is defective. Many times there would be no need to return items if the customer shopped carefully and planned ahead. However, even the most efficient shopper will occasionally find it necessary to return a purchase for exchange or replacement. This document is Fact Sheet 5011, one of a series of the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Revised: June 2005.

Florida's Citrus Canker Eradication Program (CCEP): Annual Economic Impact on Florida's Specialty Citrus Fruit Market

In the analysis presented in this paper, the benefits of the Citrus Canker Eradication Program (CCEP) on Florida's specialty citrus fruit industry are estimated through an analysis of the Florida citrus industry under the scenario that citrus canker has become established, holding all other factors constant. The net change in revenue in the fresh and processed markets and the additional costs of production were the measurements of the estimated benefits. This is EDIS document FE535, a publication of the Department of Food and Resource Economics, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. Published August 2005.