Growers Uncertain About BMPs

Citrus growers are adopting best management practices (BMPs), but there is some uncertainty about how the practices affect yields and profitability. That was the summary of a grower survey about BMPs conducted by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). A presentation highlighting the survey results was available at the UF/IFAS booth during Citrus Expo in August.

“Citrus growers have adopted the use of controlled-release fertilizer, calibrating fertilizer equipment and irrigation scheduling tools to assist them with their BMPs,” stated a slide in the presentation. The slide added that “few citrus growers are using cover crops.” Fifty-five percent of survey respondents indicated they had adopted the use of controlled-release fertilizer. Eighty-four percent had adopted calibrating fertilizer equipment, and 73% had adopted irrigation scheduling tools. Only 8% were using cover crops.

Another slide stated that the majority of growers reported BMPs such as calibrating fertilizer equipment and irrigation scheduling tools were profitable. However, only 39% of survey respondents reported that controlled-release fertilizer was profitable, and 29% stated controlled-release fertilizer was not profitable.  

“Most growers were uncertain if BMPs helped to increase yields,” another slide reported.

Among those not using BMPs, chief reasons given for the lack of implementation were that the practices were too expensive (according to 22%) or they were not applicable to the growers’ groves (27%).

A recent Citrus Industry article noted that much of the peace of mind that Florida growers once achieved by using BMPs has eroded. In that article, Kelly Morgan with UF/IFAS explained why growers are now concerned about the practices.

See the full UF/IFAS survey results about grower perceptions of the costs and benefits of BMPs.

Source: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

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