In the recent Highlands County Citrus Growers Association (HCCGA) newsletter, Riley McKenna discussed conditions in groves, shrinking infrastructure and the importance of block grant funding.
GROVE OBSERVATIONS
McKenna, HCCGA president, stated that “faint hints of March bloom are already beginning to fill the air.” He added that the weather shows little indication of stabilizing or slowing tree growth, “which could make for an interesting and challenging season for our harvesters next year.”
“Overall, there has been less fruit drop and slightly improved quality, though results remain inconsistent from block to block,” McKenna reported.
He stated that early Valencia testing has shown better quality than was in the Hamlin crop, as well as improved results compared to Valencia tests at this time last year.
“This is welcomed data and offers some cautious optimism as we move forward,” McKenna wrote. “We can only hope that trees continue to build Brix as acid levels naturally decline.”
McKenna reported that it is becoming evident that antimicrobial injections, when combined with optimal caretaking practices, are contributing to improved overall tree health. “While this progress is encouraging, it remains to be seen whether these improvements will be significant or fast enough to offset the challenges we continue to face,” he wrote.
SHRINKING INFRASTRUCTURE
According to McKenna, all growers are feeling the effects of the continued shrinking of the citrus industry’s infrastructure. He noted that both processors and the fresh fruit market are under strain.
“This ongoing contraction is concerning and will remain a critical focus as we look toward the future of Florida citrus,” he wrote.
BLOCK GRANT FUNDING
McKenna stated that “growers are faced with some very difficult budgeting decisions” for caretaking. “I believe I can speak for all growers in saying that it is critical to the future of our industry that these decisions can be made with confidence in the timely availability of block grant funding,” he wrote. “The next four months will be incredibly important to the success of next year’s crop … It cannot be overstated that this funding remains a vital lifeline for our industry.”
Source: HCCGA
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