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News for citrus growers around the globe
An overwhelming majority of American farmers responding to a nationwide survey said they cannot afford to purchase enough fertilizer to get them through the year. The American Farm Bureau Federation conducted the survey April 3–11. Seventy percent of respondents said fertilizer is so expensive that they will not be able to buy all they need. More than 5,700 farmers, both …
Researcher Ute Albrecht on April 21 shared lessons learned from three years of oxytetracycline (OTC) trunk injection for HLB management in Florida. Albrecht is an associate professor with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) specializing in citrus plant physiology. She works at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center. Albrecht reported on results of a …
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers have found three commercially available insect species that devour the eggs of the HLB-spreading Asian citrus psyllid. These natural predators could become an important new line of defense against the devastating citrus disease. This is particularly true for organic growers who have limited options to control the psyllid, said …
A recent study shows how citrus volatiles influence mood, highlighting their potential application in functional foods and nutraceutical applications. The introduction to an article in Food Quality and Safety about the study states that mood food refers to foods that enhance mental health. Among these, the widely favored citrus aromas evoke emotions such as pleasure, relaxation and alertness, thereby influencing …
A developing El Niño is one reason the number of storms during the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season could be near to below historical averages, AccuWeather reported recently. AccuWeather is predicting 11 to 16 named storms, including four to seven hurricanes and two to four major hurricanes, which are Category 3 or higher. The historical average is 14 named storms, seven …
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) recently provided additional information about the UF-1424 mandarin variety previously known as Greenie. “UF Citrus Selection 1424: A Promising Early-Season Mandarin for Cold-Hardy Regions,” an article by Alaiha Asif, Muhammad Shahid, John Chater and Fred Gmitter, appeared in the April Cold Hardy Citrus Connection. FRESH MARKET SUITABILITY UF-1424 is …
The Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute was held at South Florida College in Avon Park last week to share the latest research from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Besides hearing presentations, attendees had an opportunity to interact one-on-one with scientists at 21 learning stations covering topics like entomology, citrus breeding, weed control and soil nutrition. …
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka hosted the 11th annual Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference on April 16. The event covered a range of subjects critical to farmers. Sen. Keith Truenow (FL-13) discussed the passage of the Florida Farm Bill and its benefits to farmers. The legislation, signed by …
By Michelle Danyluk, William “Billy” Mitchell, Stephanie Brown, Emmy Collins, Keith R. Schneider and Taylor O’Bannon Most citrus growers have been meeting the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR) requirements since 2016. However, changes to this rule in May of 2024 now require growers to have an agricultural water assessment (AgWa) for production (i.e., pre-harvest) water. A …
Information obtained through March indicates that the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season will have activity somewhat below the 1991–2020 average, Colorado State University (CSU) reported on April 9. CSU estimated that 2026 will have: HURRICANE LANDFALL PROBABILITY The probability of U.S. and Caribbean major hurricane landfall is also estimated to be below its long-period average. Probabilities for at least one major …
In April, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) hosted its annual Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute in Avon Park. The event is the subject of discussion in the April All In For Citrus podcast episode. Michael Rogers, director of the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC), says the Institute is among the big three citrus …
Numerous U.S. agriculture organizations, including some representing citrus growers, recently sent letters to two U.S. Cabinet members regarding concerns about the federal H-2A guest worker program. LETTER TO SECRETARY OF STATE A letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio requested that the Department of State take action to streamline its portion of the H-2A filing process by expanding interview waivers. …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in cooperation with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) have expanded the area quarantined for citrus greening in California. APHIS established a new quarantined area in the Ramona area of San Diego County of 93 square miles. The agency also expanded the quarantined area in …
The Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA) on April 1 released its citrus export estimates for 2026, which point to continued growth. The report includes estimates of all varieties, excluding late mandarins (which make up the bulk of the mandarin crop). Taking the historic trajectory of late mandarins into account, total citrus exports are expected to increase by approximately …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and state agriculture officials recently updated fruit fly quarantines in California and Texas. CALIFORNIA: ORIENTAL FRUIT FLY (OFF) On March 23, APHIS and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) removed the OFF quarantine in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, designated the Jurupa Valley quarantine. This …
By Brenda Eubanks Burnette In the early 1910s, when the promise of drained land and new opportunity was drawing settlers into the interior of what would become Indian River County, one place stood at the center of the excitement: the Indian River Farms Company Demonstration Farm. Set on a 10-acre plot 2 miles west of town, it became both a …
A Spanish project is working on the extraction and recovery of orange and mandarin pectin to develop edible inks capable of being printed directly on food. The project also includes the development of a sensor that marks the deterioration of food. Pectin is a soluble natural fiber with gelling properties. The research team focuses on formulating and obtaining inks with …
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources is soliciting nominations for Class XIII of its two-year leadership development program. The program includes 11 multi-day seminars throughout Florida, the United States and internationally to develop leaders. Class XIII will begin in Gainesville in November. LEADERSHIP GOALS The goal of …
Research conducted in China may hold significant implications for the sustainable development of citriculture amid the ongoing global HLB epidemic. The work offers novel insights into vascular immunity and plant defense responses. The article (Single-nucleus transcriptomics reveals the cellular immune responses to Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus in rough lemon) appeared in the January 2026 issue of Horticulture Research. The authors are …
The Florida Citrus Show marked another successful event in March in Fort Pierce. The show provided attendees with a fun, informative day to learn about citrus and specialty crops while engaging with exhibitors during the tailgate-style trade show. CRAFT UPDATE Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) programs have been very popular with growers and have incentivized new citrus plantings across …
