The Citrus Industry section in the May issue of Specialty Crop Grower magazine highlights evolving strategies designed to sustain long-term citrus productivity.
A key theme is industry collaboration and knowledge-sharing, underscored by the upcoming Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo in Fort Myers, previewed in this issue. The event’s new venue and integrated format aim to foster deeper engagement between growers, researchers and industry stakeholders. Educational sessions will emphasize critical topics such as HLB management, trunk-injection therapies, nutrition and emerging varieties — reflecting the industry’s continued push toward innovation-driven solutions.
On the production side, one of the most pressing concerns remains pest management, particularly controlling Asian citrus psyllid populations responsible for spreading citrus greening. In his article, Lukasz Stelinski, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences professor, stresses that resilience — not just control — is the goal. Overreliance on frequent insecticide applications has led to rising resistance and increased costs. Instead, growers are encouraged to adopt more strategic programs built on monitoring pest thresholds, rotating chemistries and preserving beneficial insects.
Regulatory changes are also reshaping grove management decisions. New pesticide use limitation areas, tied to Endangered Species Act compliance, introduce additional steps for applicators. These include online label verification, mitigation scoring and location-specific restrictions. While these rules add complexity, they also signal a broader shift toward more environmentally conscious production practices that growers must integrate into daily operations. Get the details in the May issue on what you need to know to be in compliance with the new regulations.
Recent damaging freeze events have had widely variable impacts across Florida groves. Peter Chaires, New Varieties Development & Management Corp. executive director, shares reports from the field in his Citrus Nursery Source article. Despite some fruit loss and tree damage, many growers expressed cautious optimism, noting that conditions could have been far worse.
Finally, don’t miss Brenda Eubanks Burnette’s Pieces of the Past column. She gives thanks to the many citrus industry folks who played a role in her recent induction into the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame.
Stay up to date with citrus industry news in Specialty Crop Grower magazine. Subscribe here.
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