Root Bacteria Could Help Defeat HLB

Len Wilcox California Corner, Industry News Release, Research

A team led by the University of California, Riverside (UCR) is looking at tiny underground microorganisms for a way to prevent a huge problem — huanglongbing (HLB), a disease with no cure that has decimated citrus orchards worldwide. “Often times, it is thought of as an above-ground disease of the fruits, leaves and stems,” said Caroline Roper, plant pathology professor …

Flower Bud Advisories Have Resumed

Tacy Callies Industry News Release

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has resumed providing growers with regular flower bud advisories now that the critical time for citrus grove management has begun this season. Tripti Vashisth, UF/IFAS assistant professor, restarted the advisories Nov. 23 and will continue providing them every other week through the spring. The advisories provide critical information about …

Citrus Industry Wants Costa for House Ag Committee Chair

Len Wilcox California Corner, Industry News Release, Legislative

California Citrus Mutual (CCM), Florida Citrus Mutual and Texas Citrus Mutual have voiced their support that California Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) be appointed as the new chair of the House Agriculture Committee. A CCM press release stated that Costa understands the industry’s issues, such as pest and disease, trade, water and immigration. Notably, Costa was instrumental in securing federal funding …

USDA Seeks Input to Increase Production

Ernie Neff Industry News Release, Production

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking public- and private-sector input on the most innovative technologies and practices that can be readily deployed across U.S. agriculture to further its work on the Agriculture Innovation Agenda. The agency is looking for ready-to-go technologies and practices to achieve its goal of increasing agricultural production by 40 percent to meet global population needs …

Roe & Sons Names New CEO

Ernie Neff Industry News Release

The Wm. G. Roe & Sons family of companies recently announced the hiring of Darrell Jensen as its new chief executive officer (CEO). Charlie Soule, current CEO and long-time advisor to the company, will continue to serve as a consultant and member of the board of directors.  Quentin Roe and Bill Roe will continue in their roles as president and vice …

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New Guide to USDA Disaster Programs

Ernie Neff Industry News Release

To better assist agricultural producers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has published a new brochure, Disaster Assistance Programs at a Glance. The brochure is a quick reference guide to available Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Risk Management Agency (RMA) assistance programs. The guide gives a short description of each program and lets growers quickly …

New Guidance on How to Handle Unsolicited Seeds

Ernie Neff Industry News Release

People receiving unsolicited seeds or plant material through the mail should either report the seeds and submit them for testing or dispose of them using the method described below. This advice comes from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). The seed packets, which have recently arrived unexpectedly in Florida and throughout the United States in packages with …

FDOC

Florida Citrus Acres Declining

Tacy Callies Industry News Release

Florida’s struggling citrus industry is using nearly 50 percent fewer acres than 20 years ago, according to an annual end-of-season report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Florida Field Office calculated 419,542 citrus acres in Florida as the 2019–2020 growing season ended in July. The acreage figure was down 3 percent from the …

USDA to Buy Grapefruit Juice

Ernie Neff Industry News Release

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced plans to purchase grapefruit juice products for distribution to various food nutrition assistance programs. Purchases will be made to encourage the continued domestic consumption of these products by diverting them from the normal channels of trade and commerce. Solicitations will be issued in the near future, and will be available electronically through …

supreme court

State Argues Citrus Fight Not Finished

Tacy Callies Industry News Release

Though the state last month paid more than $19 million in the case, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services wants the state Supreme Court to resolve underlying legal issues in a nearly two-decade battle about the state cutting down Lee County homeowners’ healthy citrus trees. On Aug. 13, the Supreme Court dismissed the case as moot because the …

Citrus Researcher Earns National Award

Tacy Callies Awards, Industry News Release

Researcher. Scholar. Change agent. Nian Wang, a professor at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), has been recognized for all of these roles with an award from the American Phytopathological Society (APS) at its 2020 annual meeting. Wang received the Ruth Allen award, which honors people who have made an outstanding, innovative research contribution that has …

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Citrus Legal Fight Dismissed After Payment

Tacy Callies Industry News Release

After the Legislature provided money and a check was sent, the Florida Supreme Court dismissed a nearly two-decade legal battle over the state cutting down Lee County homeowners’ healthy citrus trees. Lawmakers this year approved spending more than $19 million to pay a judgment in the class-action lawsuit, which stemmed from trees being cut down amid efforts to stop the …

orange juice

Alico: Orange Price Down but Outlook Positive

Ernie Neff financial, Industry News Release

The average blended price per pound solid (PPS) for juice oranges grown by Alico, Inc. fell from $2.42 in the prior fiscal year to $1.86 in the current fiscal year. That was largely due to the Florida citrus crop being greater than expected in the 2018-19 harvest season, leading to excess inventory levels at Florida citrus juice processors, the company …

Citrus Products Recalled by Packing Facility

Ernie Neff Industry News Release

Freshouse II, LLC has recalled Valencia oranges, lemons, limes, organic limes and red B potatoes because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. The recall was voluntarily initiated after the company’s routine …

Alico Announces New Directors and Agreement with Barron Collier

Ernie Neff Industry News Release

Alico, Inc. in July entered into a long-term agreement to provide citrus grove management services, including harvest and haul responsibilities, to Barron Collier Companies. Alico also announced the additions of Kate English and Adam Putnam to its board of directors. Alico will manage citrus operations for approximately 7,000 acres of Barron Collier groves in Collier and Hendry counties, in exchange …

First CLas-Positive ACP Found in California Grove

Len Wilcox California Corner, Industry News Release, Psyllids

An Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) sample has been confirmed positive for Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), the bacteria that causes huanglongbing (HLB). The sample was collected from a commercial citrus grove in the Woodcrest area of Riverside County. Confirmed by Citrus Research Board’s Jerry Dimitman Laboratory, this single adult psyllid is the first CLas-positive ACP found in a commercial citrus grove …

Where to Send Unsolicited Seed Packets

Tacy Callies Industry News Release

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has expanded the list of locations where the public can send unsolicited seed packets. Options for submitting reports online to APHIS or the state departments of agriculture have also been added. APHIS urges anyone who receives an unsolicited package of seeds to submit an online report and …

Duda Selling Imported Citrus

Ernie Neff Industry News Release

Duda Farm Fresh Foods has launched its 18th consecutive import citrus program. Through October, it will import citrus to the United Sates from the Southern Hemisphere. The imported citrus will be sold under the Dandy label and will include clementines, lemons, navels, and Cara Cara oranges. According to Duda Farm Fresh Foods, the easy-peel clementines have good color and sugar-to-acid …

FFVA Seeking Young Leaders

Ernie Neff Industry News Release

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) is accepting applications for Class 10 of its Emerging Leader Development Program. The submission deadline is Sept. 1. Launched in 2011, the program develops leaders to be strong advocates for Florida agriculture. Nearly 100 participants have graduated from the program. Ultimately, graduates of the class can get involved to strengthen the future of …

New University of Florida Economist in Immokalee

Tacy Callies Economics, Industry News Release

Morgan graduated from the University of Florida three times. She earned a bachelor’s degree in animal sciences and then master’s and doctoral degrees in food and resource economics, all from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Mostly recently, she began her position as associate professor of food and resource …