UF IFAS Forages

10/19/2026

Come visit us at the 2026 Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia!

🗓️October 20th-22nd

10/16/2026

New episode of Cow Talks out now!

Marcelo invited Dr. Leonor Sicalo Gianechini, parasitologist at to discuss:
🐄 Why parasites are outsmarting our dewormers
🐐 How to target the animals that actually need treatment
✅ A practical five-step plan for parasite control on your farm

Listen now!

10/02/2026

New Cow Talks episode with UF Animal Sciences Department Dr. Dean Pringle recently took the helm as chair of the UF/IFAS Department of Animal Sciences, and he joins host Marcelo Wallau to share his vision for the department. They discuss the upcoming strategic plan, new faculty hires with extension roles, and plans for the Animal Products Excellence Center (APEX), a renewed meat science hub connecting Florida's cattle producers to consumers.

Listen now: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7HrkI1C5sUvG327NjqSVXW?si=QTTdMpr_QtyK9UT2mbk7cw

09/25/2026

New Cow Talks episode is out!

A strong El Niño is here, and Dr. Clyde Fraisse joins us to break down what it means for Florida farms and ranches this fall and winter, from wetter conditions and disease pressure to a great window for cool-season forages. How are you managing your farms during El Niño?

Listen now for helpful insights! https://open.spotify.com/episode/7lNT77wEfGb06oR84CQhE0?si=UeB-h_IkRrGuOmy_b_nEdA

09/16/2026

Florida Ranchers: What challenges are affecting your land and operation right now?

Florida Gulf Coast University is conducting an independent study to learn how private ranchers in Florida make land-use decisions under development, economic, environmental, and social pressures, and how these decisions affect conservation, production, and family succession on working lands.

Why take it?
Take this survey to help ensure academic and land-use discussions reflect the ground-level realities facing Florida cattle producers.

• Time: 15–20 minutes
• Who can take it: Florida ranchers and land decision-makers (18+)
• Private & Voluntary: Completely voluntary. Your answers are kept strictly confidential—no names, families, or specific ranches will ever be identified.
• Independent: Run by FGCU with no ties to any state or federal agency, private company, or advocacy group.

Share your perspective here:
👉 https://fgcu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2iA0TMTHn0p6QxU

09/11/2026

Our newest Cow Talks episode is out NOW with trial coordinator Maria Elena Mailhos regarding Cool-Season Forage Variety trials in partnership with College of Agriculture at Auburn University and UGA Extension .

For more information, check out the forage team website: https://programs.ifas.ufl.edu/forage/official-variety-trials/

09/11/2026

09/09/2026

09/03/2026

Florida forage decisions are happening NOW, and waiting too long could cost you this winter.
If you’re managing pastures, save this and share it with someone who needs to plan ahead.

Early September means it’s time to think about:
- Stockpiling bermuda and limpograss
- Pasture mealybug risk inside the canopy
- Whether early harvest, hay, or haylage makes more sense
- Which cool-season forages you’ll plant next
El Niño could mean better rainfall than last year, but October and November can still turn dry fast.
The best move right now? Use the data, check the variety recommendations, and make the call before the season makes it for you.

What are you planning for this fall - stockpile, harvest, or switch varieties?

Full CowTalks conversation coming soon.