Michael Rogers, Citrus Research and Education Center director, focuses on recent media coverage about the use of antibiotics, or bactericides, in Florida citrus. Most of the coverage in the mainstream media has been negative.
His discussion is part of the current episode of the All In For Citrus podcast, a partnership of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and Southeast AgNet.
“My e-mail and phone have rung off the hook in the past several days” with people wanting information about the media reports, Rogers says.
He talks about the safety measures in place for bactericides, which many growers have used as a tool against HLB. Growers’ results from using bactericides have varied widely, with some seeing no impact, and others saying the products have helped.
Rogers tells why UF/IFAS has no guidelines for bactericide use.
Finally, he reminds growers to plan on attending Citrus Expo Aug. 14–15 at Lee Civic Center in North Fort Myers. Citrus Expo is the premier trade show and educational seminar program for citrus growers. Many UF/IFAS scientists discuss their citrus research during the two-day seminar program.
The latest episode of the All in for Citrus podcast also includes interviews with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Scott Angle and UF/IFAS citrus researcher Arnold Schumann.
Listen to the full podcast here.
Share this Post
About the Author
