Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been detected in domestic livestock in eight states, according to a Southeast AgNet article. HPAI is commonly known as Bovine Associated Influenza A Syndrome (H5N1) in livestock, and Florida Ag Commissioner, Wilton Simpson, issued Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Emergency Rule, or Emergency Rule 5CER24-4, to protect Florida’s cattle and other livestock. While the article maintains that the disease has not been detected in Florida cattle or other livestock, the Emergency Rule temporarily restricts the importation of cattle to Florida. See the details below.

Details of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Emergency Rule

According to the article, the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Emergency Rule, or Emergency Rule 5CER24-4, enacts the following temporary restrictions:

• “No cattle exposed to or infected with Bovine Associated Influenza A Syndrome may be imported into Florida.
• No lactating dairy cattle from states with suspected or confirmed cases of Bovine Associated Influenza A Syndrome may be imported into Florida.
• Non-lactating dairy cattle from states with suspected or confirmed cases must be accompanied by a valid Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection completed no more than 10 days prior to importation.”

The article maintains that Florida is at a lower risk for HPAI/H5N1 due to its status as a cow-calf state that is a “net exporters of cattle” and an importer of “few lactating dairy cattle.” The article also adds that “Emergency Rule 5CER24-4 is effective immediately and will remain in place until further notice.

Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions -or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.

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Many Florida citrus growers are turning to using particle film on citrus to help mitigate the effects of citrus greening and improve the health of their citrus trees. The latest UF/IFAS Tip of the Week article shared the conclusions of research on particle film. See a breakdown of the specific information from the article below.

What is Particle Film?

According to the article, “Particle films are simply a suspension of microscopic solid inert particles that can be sprayed onto leaves. When the suspension dries, it leaves a film of particles on the surface of the leaf, which reflects light away from the outer leaves of the canopy. This causes the outer leaves, which are usually stressed by high light, to be partly shaded.”

Benefits of Using Particle Film on Citrus

The article shared these benefits:

• To “take the edge off stress to citrus trees caused by weather and HLB.”
• To help “trees to grow faster…”
• To protect trees from experience “less water loss and keep leaves cooler, even when affected by HLB.”
• To “repel Asian citrus psyllids.”

White Vs Red Particle Film

The article shared that “White particle films are best for increasing light penetration into the canopy, while red-dyed films are best for shading and for reducing psyllids.”

When and How to Use Particle Film

The article maintains that “…trees with particle film were able to better maintain leaf water and keep their stomata open longer for more growth and photosynthesis. This effect is strongest in the dry months of spring and the hot months of summer (March-October).” It is advised that “…it is recommended to use white films when temperatures are more moderate (spring and fall) and red films when high temperatures are straining the trees more (summer).”

The article added that, “Some shade is good, but too much can suppress growth, so researchers are working to identify the best rates. Currently, it is believed that 12 pounds per acre of white Surround kaolin particle film is best in March–May and October–November, while 17 pounds per acre of red particle film is ideal for June–September.

Using Raynox, a carnauba wax-based product, in 1:1 ratios with kaolin helps the particle film stay on the leaves through more than 20 inches of rain. Using Raynox means reapplication is only necessary after new growth covers the old growth.

Make red particle film by mixing in 2.5 fluid ounces of red-colored Colorback mulch colorant for each 1 pound of Surround kaolin particle film. Applications are not recommended in the cooler months of the year.”

Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions -or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch. 

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Are you an entrepreneur with a product or invention that could solve a challenge in agriculture? Submit your idea to win a slice of $145,000 in startup funds from the 2025 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge by June 15^th. See the details of this competition, now in its 11^th year, below.

Details of the 2025 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge

The 2025 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge is “a national business competition that showcases U.S. startups developing innovative solutions that address challenges facing America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities,” according to the Farm Bureau website. The competition is a way to “identify the top entrepreneurs who are addressing both traditional challenges farmers face on their operation, such as access to labor, optimizing yield and reducing operating costs, to entrepreneurs who are addressing new challenges facing farmers and rural communities.”

The Florida Farm Bureau’s website shared that “The Top 10 teams will pitch virtually to compete for a spot in the Final Four. Only the Final Four teams will pitch live at the American Farm Bureau Convention in San Antonio, Texas, Jan. 24-29, 2025. The Final Four teams will be awarded $10,000 and a chance to compete to advance to the final round. 

The winner of the Ag Innovation Challenge will be awarded $100,000 and the runner-up will receive $25,000. 

Further information on the challenge and how to submit a business idea can be found at https://www.fb.org/initiative/ag-innovation-challenge.

Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions -or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.  

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has released the 2022 Census of Agriculture. It included “more than 6 million data points about America’s farms and ranches and the people who operate them down to the county level,” according to a Florida Farm Bureau article. While the article maintains the census shows “a continued decline in the total number of Florida farms,” it also shows “a rise in the number of new and beginning (operating 10 or fewer years on any farm) producers in Florida.” See highlights from the census below.

Florida Highlights from the 2022 Census of Agriculture

The statistics below are from the FFB article about the 2022 Census of Agriculture:

• “There were 44,703 farms in Florida, down 2,887 farms from 2017 with an average size of 217 acres (up 6.4%) on 9.7 million acres of farmland, down slightly from 2017.
• Family-owned and operated farms accounted for 76.4% of all Florida farms and operated 39.5% of the total land in farms.
• Florida farms produced $10.2 billion in agricultural products, up from $7.4 billion in 2017. With farm production expenses of $8.5 billion, Florida farms had net cash income of $2.4 billion. Average net farm income rose to $52,669. A total of 29.7% of Florida farms had positive net cash farm income in 2022.
• Florida farms with internet access continued to rise from 76.3% in 2017 to 79.8% in 2022. • A total of 2,431 Florida farms used renewable energy producing systems compared to 2,041 farms in 2017, an 19.1% increase. The majority of Florida farms (93.5%) with renewable energy systems reported using solar panels.
• In 2022, there were 2,941 Florida farms that sold directly to consumers, with sales of $38.5 million. Value of sales increased 3.7% from 2017.
• The 1,615 farms with sales of $1 million or more represented 3.6% of Florida farms and 37.8% of farmland; they sold 82.0% of all agricultural products in Florida. The 36,478 Florida farms with sales of less than $50,000 accounted for 81.6% of farms, 25.0% of farmland, and 2.3% of sales in Florida.
• The average age of all Florida producers was 59.5, up 0.6 years from 2017 and 1.4 years greater than the U.S. average age of 58.1 years old.
• There were 26,834 Florida farmers with 10 or fewer years of experience, an increase in the number of beginning farmers from 2017 of 8.5%. Beginning farmers in Florida are on average 8.9 years younger than all farmers, with an average age of 50.6.
• The number of Florida producers under age 35 was 5,211, comprising 6.6% of all Florida producers. The 4,051 Florida farms with young producers tend to be larger than average in acres and average sales.
• The 32,472 female producers accounted for 41.0% of all Florida producers. Over 65.1% of all Florida farms had at least one female decision maker.”

Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions -or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch. 

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Texas A&M AgriLife animal nutritionist, Luis Tedeschi, Ph.D., is looking to use AI to make livestock operations more efficient, according to a recent Beef Magazine article. Dr. Luis, who is also a Texas A&M AgriLife Research Fellow and Chancellor EDGES Fellow in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Animal Science, is “looking for cost-effective and noninvasive methods of monitoring feeding behaviors in livestock operations that producers can adapt to improve their bottom line – all through alerts on a cell phone or computer,” according to the article. See the details below.

AI and Efficient Livestock Operations

The article maintains the Dr. Luis and the team will use “sensors, cameras and microphones” to “collect information about a pen of cattle, such as what percent of the time they are walking, eating, playing, grooming, lying down, or getting water. Knowing their behavior can help calculate how much feed they eat and at what time of day.” Over the next three years, the research team will create a precision livestock farming facility at Texas A&M to test out the use of AI in livestock operations.

The article maintained the goals of the research include:

• “Make artificial intelligence an invaluable and accessible tool for producers.
• Make production sustainable from an economic, social and environmental perspective.
• Ensure the producers are on top of the cutting-edge and innovative advancements they can utilize to improve their production.
• Deliver services leveraging cutting-edge research, sophisticated data analysis and artificial intelligence within a precision livestock farming data framework. This could create opportunities for others to use the technology and create their own business to assist producers.

Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions -or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.

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If you decide to do a little Spring cleaning, it’s possible that you’ll come across some old pesticides. What should you do with them? The experts at UF/IFAS shared information on dealing with unused pesticides in a recent blog. See the highlights below.

Guide for Old Pesticides

The blog article shared the following on old pesticides, including a playlist to help make cleaning easier:

“Can you still use it? Let’s start with the stuff you have, but you don’t think you will use. Can you share it with a friend? Word of caution here, you can’t share pesticides that are Restricted Use Products (RUP), as there are license requirements for that. You also can’t sell that pesticide, yes that means you can’t trade it for tasty adult beverages either. That would count as distributing a pesticide. BUT if you have a neighbor that could use the little bit you have left, you could share.

IF the product you don’t want still has a label you can always apply pesticides to a registered site (the places the label tells you that you can apply it). However, I am going to guess if you want to get rid of it, that is because you either can’t use it or fear it is too old…

If you are able to use up the pesticide, you may wonder “Can I recycle this container?” Well good news, you certainly can BUT not with your other recycling. You must recycle it with those capable of doing that, and luckily there are resources to help:

• Ag Container Recycling Council ACRC recycles plastic containers that are 55 gallons or smaller.
• The Pesticide Stewardship Alliance TPSA compiled information about companies that recycle containers larger than 55 gallons.
• USA Ag Recycling 800-654-3145.

How do I get rid of it?…Or perhaps you would like to dispose of it by applying to a site, but you don’t even know what it is anymore. There is no label, and it looks old enough to be DDT! Well now it needs to be gotten rid of. Notice I did not say “thrown away” you can’t just dump this in the garbage. You must dispose of it properly. Check with your county for local support and possible hazard waste disposal sites and guidance. If you find a lot of old stuff, there are companies that will take care of that for you: https://fldeploc.dep.state.fl.us/www_rcra/reports/CommHWTransport.asp but your best source is going to be your local solid waste department.

If you are an agricultural operation or commercial business that has unwanted pesticides, the Operation Cleansweep might just be for you. This is a program offered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which will come to your business to collect old pesticides. This is NOT meant for household waste, not available to anyone other than businesses, and ONLY available while funds are available. For more information contact Theresa Chandler (Theresa.chandler@fdacs.gov).”

See how to determine if your pesticide is still good in a later blog.

Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions -or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.   

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The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) recently released its publication on Florida citrus statistics, titled “Florida Citrus Statistics 2022–23.” See the highlights from the publication, from a Citrus Industry article, below.

Highlights from the Latest Florida Citrus Statistics

The article shared these highlights from Florida Citrus Statistics 2022-23:

• “Florida’s citrus acreage at 332,256 acres, down 11% from the prior season. The net loss of 43,046 acres was 11,000 acres more than was lost the previous season.”
• “New plantings at 6,203 acres were down from the previous season.”
• “All 24 citrus-producing counties surveyed in Florida showed decreases in acreage. Hendry County lost the most acreage, down 11,073 acres from the previous season.”
• “DeSoto County remained the leader in acreage with 60,845 acres, followed closely by Polk County at 60,131 acres.”
• “Statewide orange acreage was at 303,284 acres, down 12% from the previous season. Valencia acreage accounted for 62% of the total orange acreage. Non-Valencia acreage represented 36%. The remaining orange acreage was unidentified.”
• “Grapefruit acreage in the 2022–23 season was pegged at 15,887 acres, down 12% from the previous season. White grapefruit acreage accounted for 11% of the total with 1,774 acres, while red grapefruit accounted for 88% of the total with 14,054 acres. The remaining grapefruit acreage was unidentified.”
• “Specialty fruit acreage was at 13,085 acres, down 4% from the previous season. Tangerines and tangelos accounted for 60% of the specialty fruit, with 7,802 acres. The remaining acreage includes lemons and other citrus acreage, with a total of 5,283 acres or 40%.”

The article maintained that “Although Florida’s bearing citrus acreage has tumbled 50% since the finding of HLB in 2005, the Sunshine State still has the most bearing citrus acreage in the United States. Florida had 298,400 bearing acres in 2022–23 compared to California’s 267,000 acres. Texas had 16,400 bearing acres, and Arizona had 6,400 bearing acres.”

Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions -or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.

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The UF/IFAS Tip of the Week article maintains that “As the March bloom tapers off and fruit begin to set, it is time to think about lebbeck mealybug management.” Damage from lebbeck mealybugs can lead to aborted fruit or fruit that cannot be sold. The article also maintains that “Early-season management is critical to both reducing early fruit damage and to maintaining reduced pest populations throughout the growing season.” See tips from the article for managing lebbeck mealybugs.

Lebbeck Mealybug Management Tips

The article shared tips for lebbeck mealybug management, sharing that “Management for lebbeck mealybug is evolving and will change over time. Management actions discussed in this Tip of the Week reflect current knowledge of the pest and management options.”

Tips include:

• While “lebbeck mealybug populations are not tied to flush…there is generally an increase in the juvenile population beginning in late March and continuing into June. Survivors of this cohort will develop into the reproductive stages, continuing to produce offspring through the summer and fall.”
• “Optimal management for this pest starts with a systemic chemistry prior to fruit set.”
• “Check the label for bee safety as flowers and the bees that are attracted to them are also present.”
• “In May or June, a contact chemistry that is also effective for Asian citrus psyllids should be applied to further reduce populations.”
• “During the peak of summer heat, mealybugs do not appear to proliferate at a similar rate to late spring and early fall. Population development picks up again in October, and crawlers can be suppressed with most contact chemistries.”
• “In addition to insecticides, many of the adjuvants currently in use in citrus add to juvenile, and sometimes adult, mortality.”

Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions -or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.   

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Growing Better 2024, an “industry-wide networking and learning event for sod growers, installers, and those who support the industry with products and services,” is coming up in April. This event is put on by the Turfgrass Producers of Florida for those in the sod industry in Florida. See the details of this event below.

Details of Growing Better 2024

When: April 18^th and 19^th

Where: TopGolf, Tampa-Brandon and Bayside Sod, Duette, Florida

Who: “Sod growers, installers, and those who support the industry with products and services.”

What:

Thursday, April 18 – All events at TopGolf, Tampa-Brandon

Annual Meeting Lunch 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM

“Kick off your Growing Better experience at our Annual Meeting Lunch for a recap of the association’s work and information on key industry issues. ($75 per person)”

TopGolf FUNdraiser 2:00 – 5:00 PM

“Spend a great afternoon with buddies, customers, or key employees at our TopGolf FUNdraiser! Enjoyable for all skill levels from Fiercely Competitive to Completely Clueless. ($85 per player)”

Reception & Dinner 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM

“Round out your day with our casual reception & dinner, a great opportunity to visit with friends and colleagues – and we’re always cookin’ up something fun.($125 per person)”

Friday, April 19

On-Farm Field Day at Bayside Sod, Duette, Florida 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM

“Growing Better is designed to showcase the “best of” in products and services as well as innovations and ideas to help your business grow. Join us for equipment and supplier displays and demonstrations, along with our bucket raffle and barbeque lunch, courtesy of Everglades Equipment Group.  ($50 per person)”

How: Register online here.

Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions -or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.   

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Florida citrus growers and others should not miss the 2024 Florida Citrus Show, which is fast approaching on April 3^rd. The event maintains that “The Florida Citrus Show offers complimentary attendee registration for commercial growers, commercial farm owners, commercial farm managers, certified crop advisers, grower association executives, government, legislative, and universities.” See the details of this important event.

Details of the 2024 Florida Citrus Show

The following details are from a Citrus Industry Magazine article, by AgNet Media, the presenters of the 2024 Florida Citrus Show:

When: April 3^rd; “The show will kick off with a hot breakfast at 8:00 a.m. Visit with exhibitors in the trade show area before the general session begins at 9:00 a.m. Seminars will break for lunch at 11:00 a.m.”

Where: UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center & USDA-ARS Horticultural Research Laboratory, 2001 S. Rock Rd., Fort Pierce, FL, 34945.

What: A trade show, educational workshops, and fellowship. “Seminars will be packed with the newest information for growers, and more than 50 top agricultural companies will be exhibiting at the tailgate in between seminar sessions. The tailgate hub is located at the center of the show, filled with cold drinks, food and tailgate games. Additionally, “Your complimentary registration includes access to the seminars, breakfast, lunch and the trade show.”

How: Preregistration is open until March 29^th at noon, EST. Preregister at this link.

Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions -or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.   

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