The Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation has reopened the application window for its Existing Tree Therapies Program. Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Aug. 31. Participants will be selected through a random lottery, administered by a third-party entity.
The program is designed to provide the industry with a better understanding of the best use patterns, combinations and timing of newly developed therapies for HLB. Eligible therapies have shown promise in restoring health and improving juice quality and quantity, as well as fruit retention, in Florida.
FOCUS ON FOUR THERAPIES
The Existing Tree Therapies Program focuses on four primary therapies used on existing plantings: gibberellic acid, 2,4-D, brassinosteroids and the direct systemic application of approved antimicrobials such as oxytetracycline. Existing groves between 10 and 250 acres that will be treated with one or a combination of those therapies are eligible for application into the program.
CONTROL TREES REQUIRED
A control area of at least 10 untreated trees must be included in the application.This control may be contained within the treated block or in an adjacent similar block. Much like the original CRAFT New Planting Program, participants will be required to submit related production records and yield data to the CRAFT-USDA data portal. In exchange for their participation, growers will receive payments totaling $350 per acre over the course of their three-year agreement.
Those who previously applied for the Existing Tree Therapies Program and were not selected in the first lottery will automatically be reentered into the new lottery pool. If you do not wish to have your prior application considered for the new round, contact Program Manager Tamara Wood at tamara@craftfdn.org.
Interested growers can apply for the Existing Tree Therapies Program at www.craftfdn.org. Additional rules and information can be obtained at the same website or by emailing Wood or Assistant Program Manager Tina Buice at tina@craftfdn.org.
Source: CRAFT
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