Miss Florida Citrus 2016 Crowned

Josh McGillCitrus

Miss Florida Citrus 2016 Was Crowned Last Weekend Contestants competed for the title of Miss Florida Citrus 2016 on March 19 in Winter Haven. The whole room grew silent as Summer Foley, Miss Florida Citrus 2015, prepared to announce the first-place winner. Miami’s Stephanie Capon was crowned the 2016 Miss Florida Citrus. Capon’s platform was Healthy HeARTbeats: Arts for Community …

Inaugural Fun Shoot a Big Success

Josh McGillCitrus

The Inaugural Fun Shoot for the Indian River Citrus League Was a Big Success This past weekend was full of excitement at the Indian River Citrus League’s inaugural Fun Shoot in Okeechobee, Florida. The winning team was Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company. The event drew a crowd of nearly 100 citrus industry supporters from across the state. Doug Bournique, executive …

What to Consider When Putting a New Grove in Place

Josh McGillCitrus, Water

By: Mongi Zekri There is a high degree of planning and preparation that goes into making a new citrus tree planting successful. Site preparation, installation of an irrigation system, selection of varieties and rootstocks, tree spacing, purchasing trees from reputable nurseries, and tree planting and care are all important. Site Preparation The planting site should be well prepared. Soils at …

Florida Citrus Hall of Fame Inductees

Josh McGillCitrus

Citrus Industry Legends Inducted into Florida Citrus Hall of Fame Friday, March 11, was the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame Celebration Luncheon, where a crowd of over 400 citrus community and industry members welcomed three new inductees into the Hall of Fame. The inductees are Dr. William S. “Bill” Castle of Lake Alfred, John C. “Jack” Norris of Palm City, …

bactericides survey

Update on the 2016-17 Citrus Appropriations and Legislation

Josh McGillCitrus

[nextpage title=”Update on Citrus Appropriations…”] Mike Sparks, executive vice president/CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM), distributed the following update on Florida citrus appropriations and legislation: Dear FCM Board and Members: I have some very positive news to share. The items/proposals/appropriations I’ve highlighted below have been approved by the Legislature and Governor Scott. This news came about quickly after our e-mail …

Future of Florida Citrus

Kelsey FryCitrus

Hope for the Future of Florida Citrus Anyone involved in the Florida citrus industry can speak of the hardships the industry has faced since HLB first appeared in the state in 2005. One member of the industry, who has stuck with it through thick and thin, offered his positive perspective on the future of the industry. Bill Castle, University of …

bactericides survey

Tallahassee Call to Action for Citrus Industry

Kelsey FryCitrus

Mike Sparks, executive vice president/CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM), distributed the following urgent request to the citrus industry today. Dear FCM Members and Friends: As you know, the budget process in Tallahassee is winding down. By any measure the Florida citrus industry had a tremendous 2016 session. With Governor Scott’s staff poring over the budget and sharpening his veto …

Citrus Industry This Week: Using Bactericides on Citrus; Crop Forecast Changes

Kelsey FryCitrus

Today’s issue of Citrus Industry This Week includes information on everything you need to know about bactericides and the results of the latest citrus crop forecast. Want to learn more? Click here to subscribe. Click here to subscribe to the monthly Citrus Industry magazine. Sponsored Content5 Facts About Fire Ants and How to Control ThemApril 30, 2024BRAZILIAN RESEARCH RESULTS IN …

Citrus Crop Forecast Increases

Kelsey FryCitrus

Mark Hudson, of the National Agricultural Statistics Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA/NASS) in Washington, D.C., issued the March citrus crop forecast. Although there was no increase in the non-Valencia oranges for this month, an increase was reported for the Valencias. There also was a slight increase for white grapefruit. Florida crop forecast: Download Audio Full crop forecast: …

Suggested Use Patterns for Antibacterial Products on Citrus

Kelsey FryCitrus

Megan Dewdney and Jim Graham with University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) have developed a suggested use pattern for the three antibacterial products that were recently allowed for use on citrus under a Crisis Declaration by Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam. The new document, titled “Suggested Antibiotic Use Pattern for Huanglongbing Management,” was put together …

Upcoming Meetings on Bactericide Use for Citrus

Kelsey FryCitrus

Florida citrus growers are reminded of three upcoming meeting on bactericide use for citrus: 1. On March 9 at 8:00 a.m., Laurie Hurner, University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences citrus agent, is hosting a citrus grower forum where several topics will be discussed in conversations led by growers and production managers; including the most recent information regarding the …

Growing Citrus Hydroponically

Kelsey FryCitrus

The benefits and challenges of growing citrus hydroponically are addressed by University of Florida researcher Arnold Schumann in this interview with Southeast AgNet’s Tacy Callies. Benefits include high, early fruit production. Nutrition is one of the challenges. Download Audio Sponsored Content5 Facts About Fire Ants and How to Control ThemApril 30, 2024BRAZILIAN RESEARCH RESULTS IN A UNIQUE PRODUCT FOR HLB …

Citrus Growers Can Begin Using Three Bactericides

Kelsey FryCitrus

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, with the concurrence of the Environmental Protection Agency, has issued a Crisis Declaration that makes the use of three bactericides legal as of today. See the Crisis Declaration for details. Growers should make sure to have a copy of the Crisis Declaration and other portions of the attachment in their possession when utilizing these products. …

Commissioner Adam H. Putnam Issues Crisis Declaration to Help Citrus Industry Combat Citrus Greening

Kelsey FryCitrus

From the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today issued a crisis declaration to the Environmental Protection Agency in order to help the citrus industry fight citrus greening. His statement is as follows: “We have issued a crisis declaration, which allows for the temporary use of three promising treatments that researchers …

Urgent Request from Florida Citrus Mutual

Kelsey FryCitrus

Mike Sparks, executive vice president/CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM), distributed the following urgent request to the citrus industry this morning. Dear FCM Members and Friends: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently reviewing our industry’s request to grant a Section 18 Emergency Exemption for two bactericides – oxytetracycline and streptomycin. The bactericides are essential in our fight against …

Legislative Progress for Florida Citrus Growers

Kelsey FryCitrus

In a message below, Mike Sparks, executive vice president/CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual, reports positive news on the current status of the citrus industry’s agenda items in the legislative session. Dear FCM Board and Members: It’s been a whirlwind 2016 in Tallahassee and with a week left in the scheduled legislative session, I have some very positive news to share. …

Calcium Benefits Citrus

Kelsey FryCitrus

Bill Easterwood of Yara North America proclaims the numerous benefits of calcium for citrus. He says calcium is the third most important nutrient for citrus. In this interview with Southeast AgNet’s Tacy Callies, Easterwood describes several symptoms of calcium deficiency in citrus and says the nutrient has an influence on the initiation of plant protection mechanisms. Download Audio Sponsored Content5 …

Citrus Industry This Week: Science Brings Optimism; Fungal Diseases

Kelsey FryCitrus

Today’s issue of Citrus Industry This Week includes a report on bactericides from Doug Bournique, and Megan Dewdney discusses anticipated spring fungal diseases that growers will need to cope with. Want to learn more? Click here to subscribe. Click here to subscribe to the monthly Citrus Industry magazine. Sponsored Content5 Facts About Fire Ants and How to Control ThemApril 30, …

Spring Will Bring Citrus Fungal Diseases

Kelsey FryCitrus

Springlike weather in Florida, likely just around the corner, will bring an array of citrus fungal diseases that growers will need to cope with. University of Florida researcher Megan Dewdney reports on some of the diseases that can be expected. Download Audio Sponsored Content5 Facts About Fire Ants and How to Control ThemApril 30, 2024BRAZILIAN RESEARCH RESULTS IN A UNIQUE …

Citrus Industry This Week: FDOC Could Shrink; Referendum Results

Kelsey FryCitrus

Today’s issue of Citrus Industry This Week includes information on a drastically reduced Florida Department of Citrus budget that growers are proposing as well as results of the Florida Citrus Research Order Referendum. Want to learn more? Click here to subscribe. Click here to subscribe to the monthly Citrus Industry magazine. Sponsored Content5 Facts About Fire Ants and How to …