By Jamie D. Burrow and Ruth Borger
The Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo has always been a time for the industry to gather, learn and reminiscence. During the Expo at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa on Aug. 16–17, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Extension booth is in a new location near the dining areas on the trade show floor. A new booth location means a new design with the latest information available for attendees. Plans have been made to bring together the available tools for HLB management in one place.
There are many resources now available to aid in grove management, especially in the battle against HLB. The booth will be a showcase of the newest information on irrigation, nutrition, pest management, new varieties and trunk injection. There will also be live demonstrations on new tools such as the lebbeck mealybug test kits and the canopy assist program.
Along with demonstrations, there will be hands-on activities. Growers can participate in a water demonstration explaining the importance of irrigation frequency or they can test various individual protective covers (IPCs) to aid in selecting the right product for their groves. Some of the new citrus tree varieties will also be on display.
The new 2023–2024 Florida Citrus Production Guide and the updated one-page quick guides will be available. The Citrus Research Summary booklet has been revised and contains over 70 current UF/IFAS research project summaries.
In addition to all the new information at the booth, there will be seminars with interactive discussion panels from researchers. Continuing education units will be available for all citrus seminars for both restricted-use pesticide license holders and certified crop advisers.
As the citrus industry gathers and learns, it is also a time to reminiscence and reconnect with old friends. At the booth this year, UF/IFAS will have an opportunity for attendees to reminiscence over 50 years of growing Florida citrus through a 3D historical model.
Make sure to stop by and visit the UF/IFAS booth at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo to get the latest information! Preregistration for the Expo ends on Aug. 11.
Jamie D. Burrow is an Extension program manager, and Ruth Borger is a communications specialist, both at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred.
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