Stop HLB Vector, Spanish Group Says

Ernie Neff HLB Management

The Valencian Association of Farmers (AVA-ASAJA) recently stated it is essential that the Spanish government and the European Union (EU) prevent the advance of Trioza erytreae, vector of the citrus disease HLB. The association issued that statement after learning that the insect has reached the Algarve (southern Portugal). The vector’s advance from the north and center of the Portuguese country …

Citrus Hall of Fame Nominations Due Nov. 1

Ernie Neff Awards

Nominations for the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame class of 2022 are due by Nov. 1, 2021, just four days before the class of 2021 is inducted. Eligible nominees are industry leaders who made significant contributions to the Florida citrus industry as pioneers or in the areas of harvesting, packing, processing, marketing, science or education. Nominations received after Nov. 1 …

citrus crop forecast

U.S. Citrus Processing Report

Ernie Neff Processing

In 2020-21, 57% of U.S. citrus was used for processing, and most of the processed fruit was oranges, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service reported in September. Florida produced 81% of all U.S. oranges for processing, while California and Texas produced the remainder. Florida and Texas had smaller orange crops for the processed market in 2020-21 compared with …

florida

Historic Low for U.S. Citrus Crop Forecast

Daniel Cooper Crop Forecast, Production

Members of the Florida citrus industry gathered for lunch on Oct. 12 at Putnam Ranch in Zolfo Springs to hear the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) initial 2021-22 citrus crop forecast. While many growers expected the Florida figures to be similar to the 2020-21 season, some thought the numbers would be even lower. On the other hand, a few growers …

Stay Prepared Throughout Hurricane Season

Tacy Callies hurricane, Tip of the Week

By Ajia Paolillo Although October is toward the end of hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, it can still be a very active month for storms. These storms can range from tropical depressions to hurricanes. Major concerns for citrus growers during a storm include personnel safety, damage to trees, fruit loss and damage to equipment and …

Florida Citrus Commission Appointments Made

Ernie Neff Florida Citrus Commission

Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed three new members to the Florida Citrus Commission and reappointed four others on Oct. 8. The appointments of John Smoak and Daniel Sutton fill two vacant seats, and the appointment of Christopher Groom fills a seat held by a commissioner serving a previously expired term. Commissioners Carlos Martinez, Martin “Marty” McKenna, Steve Johnson and William “Bill” …

Rooting Problems in Citrus Trees

Tacy Callies Root health

Rooting issues in citrus containers were a major problem this year for growers in Georgia. Kim Jones, who farms citrus in Georgia and Florida, implores producers to inspect their trees extensively before planting them. He said there were various reports of j-rooting and circle-rooting in container plants. Trees with these problems are more vulnerable to high-stress environmental conditions if left …

Understanding Mandarin Blooming and Fruit Set Requirements

Tacy Callies Production

By Fernando Alferez, Fred Gmitter and Jude Grosser Citrus trees bloom profusely. It is estimated that a healthy adult tree can produce more than 200,000 flowers every year. This figure is much higher than the number of fruits the tree can maintain and develop. Normally, only 1% to 5% of flowers set fruit that develops, matures and can ultimately be …

Floridians Discuss HLB on Australia TV

Ernie Neff HLB Management

A Florida citrus grower and a Florida citrus researcher were quoted extensively in a recent Australia Broadcasting Corporation TV show about HLB. Grower Kyle Story and University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences plant pathologist Megan Dewdney appeared in an approximately 12-minute segment of the show Landline. The segment’s focus was Australia’s effort to keep HLB out of …

Protecting Citrus From Pests and Diseases

Ernie Neff Pests

The federal Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) program summarized its efforts to protect the U.S. citrus industry from pests and diseases in a recent report about its fiscal year (FY) 2020 activities. PPQ is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. A summary of its citrus efforts follows. PPQ works with citrus growers to …

citrus

CUPS Pest Management Pointers

Ernie Neff CUPS, Pests

Citrus under protective screen (CUPS) systems in Florida provide trees significant protection from the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) and the HLB it spreads. Several other pests are also significantly reduced in CUPS, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers reported. For instance, citrus leafminer (CLM) populations were reduced by more than 80%. Large predators such as …

alico

California Navel Crop Forecast

Len Wilcox California Corner, Crop Forecast

The California Department of Food and Agriculture, working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has announced that the initial 2021-22 California navel orange forecast is 70 million cartons, down 14% from the previous year. Of the total navel orange forecast, 67 million cartons are estimated to be in the Central Valley. Cara Cara variety navel orange production in the Central …

Immunity Still a Consumer Priority

Ernie Neff Florida Department of Citrus

Consumers are continuing to seek out foods and beverages that provide immune support during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Jackie Hopkins with Edible told the Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) at its Sept. 22 meeting. That search for immunity is a benefit to the orange juice (OJ) industry, since numerous reports indicate consumers link OJ to immunity. Edible is a marketing agency …

Black Spot Management Strategies Updated

Ernie Neff Diseases

The title of Megan Dewdney’s Citrus Expo presentation was, “Shorten the skirts? Whether skirting improves citrus black spot fungicidal management.” The answer was “no,” based on trials she conducted to make that determination. But while skirting doesn’t appear to improve citrus black spot (CBS) fungicide programs, she pointed out that “there are other good disease management reasons to skirt.” Dewdney …

What Motivates Beverage Consumers

Ernie Neff Marketing

What motivates food and beverage consumers was the focus of two market research experts presenting virtually at the recent International Citrus & Beverage Conference (ICBC). The ICBC was hosted by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. One motivator is the desire to be stronger physically and emotionally, said Ed Koza, a senior marketing director with fragrance …

Fungus Suppresses Asian Citrus Psyllids

Ernie Neff HLB Management

The citrus disease HLB, also known as citrus greening, has a formidable enemy in a fungal pathogen, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers reported. The fungus is Cordyceps javanica, strain Apopka, discovered by research scientist Lance Osborne in the mid-1980s. The fungus was isolated from dead insects on plants in a greenhouse at the UF/IFAS …

Alico Citrus Announces Summer Internships

Ernie Neff Education

Alico Citrus has announced internship openings for the summer of 2022. The deadline to apply is Dec. 10, 2021 and interviews will be conducted Dec. 13-16. The official start date for interns will be May 17, 2022. Interns at Alico Citrus will receive an opportunity to see all components of the citrus caretaking business. This is a paid internship. Interns …

Promoting Florida Gift Fruit

Tacy Callies Florida Department of Citrus

The Gift Fruit Shippers Advisory Council (GFSAC) met virtually on Sept. 29 to discuss results of the 2020–21 season and develop plans for the upcoming season. In 2020–21, Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) programs focused on communicating availability, quality, tradition, nutrition and Florida origin with consumers through social media and website activations to encourage purchases from Florida gift fruit shippers. …

Gibberellic Acid Use: Considerations and Concerns

Tacy Callies HLB Management, Tip of the Week

By Tripti Vashisth Gibberellic acid (GA) is a naturally occurring plant hormone. GA has been used in citrus production for years to improve fruit set and size, reduce preharvest drop and delay harvest. Recent findings show that monthly foliar application of GA from September to January can improve productivity of HLB-affected Valencia trees. On average, a 30% increase in yield …

citrus greening

Citrus Greening Inevitable for North Florida, South Georgia

Tacy Callies Citrus Greening

It’s not a question of if citrus greening disease will be an issue for North Florida and South Georgia citrus growers, but when will it be. Fred Gmitter, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences citrus breeder, believes the disease’s impact in both areas is inevitable. He shared his assessment during a recent Cold Tolerant Citrus Production …