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In this special series, Tom Johnson, owner of TJ BioTech, tackles questions about optimizing trunk-injection applications to treat HLB.
Q: After a series of weather challenges, including Hurricanes Helene and Milton, what are you hearing from Florida citrus growers about the continued health and recovery of groves going forward?
Tom Johnson: I am certainly not suggesting that I am any sort of expert when it comes to hurricanes. However, a person does not need to be an expert to know that Hurricane Milton will have a serious impact on the 2024–25 citrus crop.
It is painful to know that there is bound to be damage to trees that have shown significant recovery over the last two years from citrus greening disease thanks to the oxytetracycline injections available to the industry.
The producers I have talked to are certainly concerned about the loss of fruit from the trees, but there is optimism that the speed of Milton’s movement across the state most likely produced less root damage as compared to Hurricane Ian. Of course, time will tell.
The therapeutic value of injections of ReMedium TI® to reduce the damaging impact of citrus greening has been confirmed in both academic trials and grower use. It continues to be important to keep up the battle against this devastating disease.
TJ BioTech inventories of ReMedium TI® that are in a warehouse in Lakeland, Florida, came through Hurricane Milton without any damage. Our Lakeland warehouse did not lose electricity during the storm, so temperature and environmental controls were never in question. ReMedium TI® is ready and waiting for the upcoming injection season.
While I am certainly concerned about the damage to the citrus crop, my prayers and concerns are for everyone’s recovery from this storm, both physically and economically.
Tom Johnson is the owner of TJ BioTech, the manufacturer of ReMedium TI®. If you have a question about trunk injection, please send it to citrusindustry@agnetmedia.com.
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