IPCs Prevent HLB Infection

Ernie Neff Citrus Expo, HLB Management

The use of individual protective covers (IPCs) for young trees prevented Asian citrus psyllid transmission and HLB infection in a trial near Immokalee, Fernando Alferez reported during the recent virtual Citrus Expo. Alferez said citrus trees planted at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC) in January 2018 and covered with IPCs have been HLB-free for 32 months. Alferez …

Pest Management Under Bags

Ernie Neff Citrus Expo, Pests

Many Florida citrus growers in recent years have used individual protective covers (IPCs), often referred to as “bags,” for pest management, especially to protect young trees from HLB-spreading Asian citrus psyllids. Lauren Diepenbrock addressed the benefits and challenges of IPCs at this year’s virtual Citrus Expo. Diepenbrock is an assistant professor of entomology at the University of Florida Institute of …

Oak Leaf Extract and Mulch for HLB

Ernie Neff Citrus Expo

Researchers on the Indian River have proved “there is something in the oak leaf that can work” against HLB, said Lorenzo Rossi. “I’m not saying that I found the cure, and I’m not saying that oak extract will save the citrus industry.” He described oak extract, and possibly oak mulch, as another tool against HLB. Rossi, a University of Florida …

Cover Crops for Citrus ‘Really Encouraging’

Ernie Neff Citrus Expo, Cover Crops

Healthy soil has high percentages of soil organic matter, which improves water-holding capacity, nutrient cycling and retention, and provides nutrients for microbes, along with other benefits. Unfortunately, Sarah Strauss noted, most citrus soils in Florida typically have 1 to 2 percent soil organic matter, “which is basically non-existent.” Strauss and other scientists are researching two ways of improving soil organic …

Florida Hemp Program Setting the Bar High

Tacy Callies Alternative Crops, Citrus Expo

Holly Bell, director of cannabis for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), gave an update on Florida’s hemp program as part of the Citrus Expo virtual general session. “Florida is becoming the leader in the country — if not the world — on how we’re getting our hemp program rolled out and the standards that we’re setting,” …

Virtual Citrus Expo Sees Great Success

Tacy Callies Citrus Expo

For nearly three decades, Citrus Expo has been the premier event that growers turn to for the latest information and products to run a successful operation. Although the annual in-person event took a hiatus this year to ensure safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, the virtual event saw tremendous success. “In these unprecedented times, it was important for us to find ways …

Weird Trunk Disorders in Groves

Ernie Neff Citrus Expo

Florida growers, Extension agents and others have been baffled by unusual trunk symptoms during what Evan Johnson termed “the year of the weird trunk disorder.” Growers spotted the disorders, which were similar to phytophthora, in groves over the past one and half to two years. Johnson addressed three of the disorders, which have been found in multiple counties. Johnson, a …

Win a $200 Bass Pro Gift Card at Citrus Expo

Tacy Callies Citrus Expo

The Citrus Expo and Vegetable & Specialty Crop Expo are coming to you this year! The popular annual events will be virtual to present information to growers in a safe way against the backdrop of COVID-19. Join us for the virtual event on Aug. 19–20 as we bring the citrus, vegetable and specialty crop (VSC) industries together in this new …

nutrition

Citrus Expo to Cover Wide Range of Production Topics

Tacy Callies Citrus Expo

The Citrus Expo team and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) have joined forces to offer educational sessions in a virtual format for this year’s Citrus Expo. On Aug. 19–20, the 2020 seminar program will debut online at CitrusExpo.net at 9:30 a.m. Attendees will be able to watch videos of research presentations. With safety as …

Citrus Expo Seminar Schedule Now Available

Tacy Callies Citrus Expo

Citrus Expo is coming to you this year! The popular annual event has gone virtual in order to deliver the information to growers that they need. On Aug. 19–20, the 2020 seminar program will debut online at CitrusExpo.net at 9:30 a.m. Attendees will be able to watch videos of the research presentations from their computer or cell phone. See the …

Citrus Expo: New Format for Educational Sessions

Tacy Callies Citrus Expo

While coronavirus will prevent the citrus industry from gathering this year at Citrus Expo, it will not stop growers from getting the education they need. The 2020 Citrus Expo educational program will be held live online Aug. 19–20 and will include door prizes. If you’re lucky, you could walk away with one of four $200 Bass Pro gift cards! The …

Expos Canceled Due to Changing COVID-19 Conditions

Tacy Callies Citrus Expo

Although grower and exhibitor interest remains high, AgNet Media has canceled the 2020 Citrus Expo and Vegetable & Specialty Crop Expo in the interest of public safety. For nearly three decades, Citrus Expo has been a tradition that growers look forward to each year. Unfortunately, that tradition will be on hiatus this year, due to the recent rapid escalation of …

UF/IFAS

UF/IFAS in Labs, at Citrus Expo and More

Ernie Neff All In For Citrus Podcast, Citrus Expo, Research

In the latest phase of COVID-19 re-openings, more citrus researchers have returned to University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) laboratories. Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) Director Michael Rogers says the number of researchers allowed in labs had been gradually increasing throughout the pandemic. Rogers also discusses an award won by a CREC researcher, work on …

Citrus Expo and Coronavirus: Input Wanted

Tacy Callies Citrus Expo, COVID-19

As of May 20, Citrus Expo and Vegetable & Specialty Crop Expo are still scheduled for Aug. 12–13 at the Lee Civic Center in North Fort Myers, Florida. But as you can imagine, there are a few “ifs” involved amid the coronavirus pandemic. They include: 1) if everyone attending Expo can do so safely and 2) if Florida’s governor, local …

Citrus Expo Presentations Now Available

Tacy Callies Citrus Expo

The 28th annual Citrus Expo saw great success as growers piled into the Lee Civic Center on Aug. 14–15 in North Fort Myers, Florida. Growers experienced a dynamic trade show and a new hands-on session. The seminar program, titled “Growing Stronger,” featured presentations on the latest research from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Many …

Growers Benefit From Citrus Expo Programs

Ernie Neff Citrus Expo

The new Citrus Expo hands-on session hosted by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) drew a full house of appreciative growers. “I think it went a lot better than we were expecting,” says Michael Rogers, director of the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center. . “We had a full house … They (growers) thought it …

Water Issues: Ag Has Allies

Ernie Neff Citrus Expo, Water

“I think that the ag industry has a number of allies within the regulatory arena,” says Rich Budell, who moderated a panel of Florida regulators at Citrus Expo. Budell, now a consultant, spent 31 years working on water issues with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). The panelists were Chris Pettit, director of agricultural water policy at …

Hands-on Session Was a Hit

Ernie Neff Citrus Expo

A great new addition to the Citrus Expo program this year was a hands-on session that allowed growers to participate in scientific demonstrations while interacting with University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers. Expo seminar coordinator Tripti Vashisth said all 11 demonstration stations were crowded. “It went really well, and we got very good attendance — …

citrus expo

PIECES OF THE PAST: A Look Back at the First Citrus Expo

Tacy Callies Citrus Expo, Pieces of the Past

Industry members attended the 28th annual Citrus Expo this month. Let’s take a look back to the event’s beginnings. Known as the Southwest Florida Citrus Expo at the time, the event took place Aug. 26–27, 1992, shortly after Hurricane Andrew hit South Florida. The first Citrus Expo was held at the Lee Civic Center in North Fort Myers, the same …

guide

Latest Citrus Production Guide to Be Unveiled at Citrus Expo

Daniel Cooper Citrus Expo, Industry News Release, Production

The latest technical advice on citrus greening disease, tree nutrition, grove management and other aspects of Florida citrus cultivation will reach growers Aug. 14–15, as the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) unveils the newest edition of its annual guide at the 2019 Citrus Expo. Known as the “Florida Citrus Production Guide 2019–2020,” the 275-page document …