Photo by Frank Giles
The 2026 Citrus Achievement Award winner, Ned Hancock, has seen his groves and acreage decline over the past 20 years as HLB has ravaged the Florida citrus industry. But he believes there are some positive signs pointing the industry in the right direction.
This year’s final crop estimate, putting production slightly ahead of the previous year, was among those positive signs. Hancock believes the increase is in part due to the positive effects of cumulative treatments of oxytetracycline (OTC) trunk injection.
Another positive sign that occurred in some of his groves was an uptick in fruit and juice quality. This has been an area that has been lagging badly over the past few seasons. Hancock noted several of his groves surprised him with improved quality this season.
“If we can get back to 15 to 20 million boxes and have a path forward to grow it from there, it will give us a big enough economic base to expand,” Hancock said. “Right now, it is very difficult for growers to expand. But hopefully we are beginning to see these production numbers rebound. It won’t be overnight, but I believe longer term, we will head in the right direction.”
With another cycle of Citrus Research and Field Trial Foundation programs funded and the clearance given for another application of OTC after next season’s harvest, which have been key factors in boosting the industry, Hancock said he’s hopeful this momentum will continue.
See a video from the Citrus Achievement Award presentation.
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