The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services recently issued warnings about unsolicited packages of seed received through the mail. See a previous article about the warnings. APHIS is collecting as many seed packages as possible to determine whether they present a threat to U.S. agriculture or …
Core CEUs Available Online
Are you a Florida grower in need of Core continuing education units (CEUs) to renew your restricted-use pesticide license? A new CEU Central article is now available from Citrus Industry magazine. The article, “Understanding pesticide labeling” by Amir Rezazadeh, can be found in the August issue of Citrus Industry magazine and online here. Rezazadeh is multi-county fruit and field crops …
Kaolin Particle Films for Citrus Under HLB Pressure
Managing the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) that spreads citrus greening disease (HLB) has become a crucial task at the forefront of much research. One management option that has proven to reduce ACP populations while increasing tree growth and yield is particle film. During the 2020 virtual Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences …
OJ May Help Lower Blood Pressure
A growing body of scientific research shows that 100 percent orange juice (OJ), and its vitamins and minerals, may play a beneficial role in helping to lower blood pressure and other risk factors for heart disease. Recently, a randomized control study performed by researchers at Eurecat, Centre Tecnològic de Catalunya, in Reus, Spain concluded that 100 percent OJ and 100 percent OJ fortified …
Spain Pulls Down Europe’s Grapefruit Forecast
A projected decline in Spain’s grapefruit crop in 2019-20 will lead to an 11 percent decline in the all-European Union (EU) grapefruit forecast compared to last season. EU total production is pegged at 96,720 metric tons (MT). Other EU grapefruit-producing countries will increase or maintain production. That’s according to a recent report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural …
Australia Citrus Harvest to Resume
Citrus Australia is relieved the citrus harvest in New South Wales (NSW) can resume following the NSW government’s decision to overturn its ban on seasonal workers overnight. Citrus Australia CEO Nathan Hancock has urged the government to consult with relevant communities and industries before making such drastic changes in the future. As of Thursday night, seasonal workers who reside in …
UF/IFAS Available to Help Growers
Grower meetings have been curtailed due to COVID-19, but Extension agents and specialists with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) are available to assist growers needing in-person help. “We do have the ability to get out and travel and come see folks,” says Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) Director Michael Rogers. “If there are …
Citrus Salesperson Kay Hiatt Remembered
Kiyo Ueda Hiatt, 94, died July 11 at Treasure Coast Hospice – Harper House in Stuart, Florida. She began working more than 50 years ago at Deerfield Groves in Florida. Hiatt worked in sales in the citrus industry and served on several Florida Department of Citrus subcommittees. She was a pioneer for women in the Florida citrus industry. Kay, as …
Hurricane Hanna Harms Texas Citrus
The Texas citrus industry is still assessing the damage from Hurricane Hanna, which hit the state on July 25. “Current estimates suggest a 30 percent crop loss,” said Dale Murden, president of Texas Citrus Mutual and a citrus grower. “There were no damages to packing and processing facilities, and we do not anticipate any issues with processing this season. We …
PIECES OF THE PAST: Orange Blossoms and Brides
By Brenda Eubanks Burnette The orange blossom has been part of wedding culture for centuries. Incorporating orange blossoms into the bride’s trousseau originated in ancient China where the white blossoms represented purity, chastity, innocence and fertility. In the article, “To Gather Orange Blossoms – History of Wedding Flowers Bouquets,” Cornelia Powell wrote, “There are few trees so prolific as the …
Seeking Industry Giants for Florida Ag Hall of Fame
Florida agriculture is filled with industry giants who have left a rich legacy of achievement, innovation and progress. The Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame, which honors those who have made significant contributions, is now accepting nominations for inductees. The online nomination form is available on the Florida Ag Hall of Fame website. Visit floridaaghalloffame.org and click on the “Nominate” tab. …
Report Suspicious Seeds From China
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is warning Floridians about unsolicited packages of seeds received through the mail. The seed packets may arrive unexpectedly in packages bearing Chinese characters, may bear the name China Post, and may be labeled as jewelry. They have been reported in multiple states. As of July 28, FDACS has received at least 631 reports from …
California Budget Includes HLB Funding
Funding for Asian citrus psyllid (ACP)/huanglongbing (HLB) programs and the Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Division (CPDPD), an agency of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), were included in the 2020-2021 California budget. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the budget on June 29. The CPDPD, known also as the Citrus Division, utilizes state, federal and grower-generated funds to prevent …
Growing Finger Limes in Florida: Lessons Learned So Far
By Manjul Dutt and Jude Grosser Finger lime, a distant relative of sweet orange and grapefruit, is a relatively new crop species for Florida. It is an Australian native species that has been gaining in popularity and importance in the last few years because of its unique fruit characteristics and disease tolerance, which sets it apart from conventional sweet orange …
Sneak Peek: August 2020 Citrus Industry
The August issue of Citrus Industry is traditionally the Citrus Expo issue. While the Citrus Expo tradition continues this year, it will be in a new format. Due to coronavirus, the event will be virtual. Growers will still have the opportunity to see seminars and network with vendors. In the August issue, you’ll find the citrus, vegetable, specialty crop and …
Hurner Moving From Extension to County Position
Laurie Hurner is resigning as Highlands County Extension director and citrus agent Aug. 4 to become Highlands County assistant county administrator. “There are no negative reasons for leaving, just an opportunity here for me to better serve my home county and even help UF (University of Florida) before it is over,” Hurner stated. “I feel that it is time in …
New Insurance Options for Florida Citrus Growers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) recently announced a new crop insurance hurricane endorsement and an improved citrus crop insurance plan. The hurricane endorsement, Hurricane Insurance Protection – Wind Index (HIP-WI), covers a portion of growers’ underlying crop insurance policy deductible when their county is within or adjacent to the area of sustained hurricane-force winds. HIP-WI is …
Labor Ban Costs Australia Growers Millions
On July 27, Citrus Australia CEO Nathan Hancock said a ban on citrus workers entering New South Wales (NSW) is costing growers $1.7 million a day. Hancock has urged NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian to consult with industry and cancel the ban that is keeping out seasonal harvesters. The restriction on harvesters entering NSW was instituted to curtail the spread of …
Growers to Offer Trade Input
The Trump administration will hold two hearings in August with seasonal produce growers to discuss foreign trade policies that may be harming farmers. The U.S. Trade Representative’s office, along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, recently announced the hearings planned for 9 a.m. Aug. 13 and Aug. 20. At the hearings, officials from the federal agencies will hear from farmers …
Citrus Grower Ben Hill Griffin III Dies
Citrus grower and cattle rancher Ben Hill Griffin III, 78, of Frostproof, died July 25. Griffin, son of the late Ben Hill Griffin Jr., was president and COO of Ben Hill Griffin, Inc. and a member of the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame and the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame. He had previously been president and chairman of the board …