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News for citrus growers around the globe
Georgia citrus growers are a couple of months away from harvest season. If producers are going to maximize this year’s crop, they need to protect it from insect pests. Apurba Barman, University of Georgia assistant professor of entomology at the Tifton Campus, discussed insect pests during the Southeast Citrus Update in Lyons, Georgia on July 24. He focused on a …
Researcher Arnold Schumann recently discussed much about citrus under protective screen (CUPS), including the ‘sweet spot’ size for a structure, an artificial intelligence (AI) tool for gathering information, and pest spraying tips. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) professor has learned much from a CUPS facility he initiated in 2014 and from commercial CUPS growers. …
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) on Aug. 1 sent a series of recommendations to the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission. AFBF stated that the recommendations “will benefit health outcomes and ensure farmers can continue growing safe, healthy and affordable food for America’s families.” “Farmers and ranchers share the goal of advancing health in America,” said Farm Bureau President …
Brazil’s Fundecitrus recently hosted a delegation of approximately 20 agricultural leaders from California. Karen Ross, secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, led the delegation. The group visited Brazil to learn more about Fundecitrus’ research, education, training and sustainability initiatives focused on citrus farming. The Californians participated in technical discussions with researchers and took a tour of Fundecitrus’ …
Forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) continue to forecast an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. On Aug. 7, they updated the number of expected named storms to 13 to 18 (with winds of 39 mph or greater). Of those storms, five to nine could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or greater), including two to five major hurricanes …
Citrus greening disease has yet to find its footing in Georgia. But that doesn’t mean it can’t or won’t eventually. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, discussed the ramifications of citrus greening during the recent Southeast Citrus Update in Lyons, Georgia. “If we get greening established here, we’ll start seeing lower and lower production on …
Edwin Gutierrez is the new University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus Extension agent for Florida’s Manatee, DeSoto and Hardee counties. “The citrus industry in Manatee, Hardee and DeSoto counties faces significant challenges,” said Gutierrez, who was raised in a farming family in Colombia. “Despite these challenges, I remain optimistic about the resilience of local growers …
By Jamie D. Burrow and Tripti Vashisth There are many aspects to research from start to finish, but it’s the time in between that can be most intriguing and exciting. Each year, the UF/IFAS Citrus Team brings the latest research to the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo. The Aug. 20–21 trade show at the Florida State Fairgrounds will be your …
The University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences (UGA/CAES) Cooperative Extension recently published an article to help protect farmworkers from extreme summer heat. UGA CAES Extension specialists Pam Knox, Rolando Orellana and Anna Scheyett contributed information to the article by UGA CAES writer Emily Cabrera. A shortened, edited version of the article follows: With heat index values reaching …
Someday soon, farmers might use technology equivalent to Siri or Alexa to check the status of their soil’s quality. Anastasia Kritharoula, a doctoral student in the Soil Science Artificial Intelligence lab of the University of Florida, works under the supervision of Nikolaos Tziolas, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professor at the Southwest Florida Research …
The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) of the Department of Labor (DOL) has temporarily suspended the collection of H-2A labor certification fees. Implementing a temporary suspension period will allow ETA’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) to move toward accepting electronic fees, as directed by an executive order by President Trump. That order, Executive Order 14247, is titled Modernizing Payments …
By Peter Chaires Summer schedules can make it challenging to assemble board meetings and facilitate planning for the fall season. Once the Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference concludes in June, folks tend to disperse to their favorite islands, fishing holes, mountain hideaways and beaches. Some visit friends and family. Others seek isolation and a psychological recharge. For everything, there is …
Citrus under protective screen (CUPS) performance in Florida got a big thumbs up from researcher Arnold Schumann in a virtual presentation on Aug. 7. Schumann, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences professor, reported on findings from his research at the Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) as well as commercial CUPS in Florida. Schumann’s summary of …
Georgia citrus growers are still in the honeymoon phase of production with regards to disease, said Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and small fruits pathologist. While established groves in Florida have had to deal with disease buildup for decades, disease has yet to be problematic for South Georgia citrus production. But that could be changing. “With respect …
In response to a 2021 Florida citrus industry petition, the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed reducing the minimum Brix of pasteurized orange juice (OJ) from 10.5% to 10%. Brix is a measurement of sugar content. The FDA established a standard of identity (SOI) for pasteurized OJ in 1963 to protect the interests of consumers and reflect their …
Colorado State University (CSU) on Aug. 6 maintained its forecast for a slightly above-normal 2025 Atlantic basin hurricane season, although noting lower-than-normal confidence in the latest outlook. CSU hurricane forecasters report that sea surface temperatures across the eastern and central Atlantic have anomalously warmed over the past few weeks and are now somewhat warmer than normal. Multiple indicators anticipate likely …
The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) recently announced probable State of Florida requirements for shipping fresh citrus from Georgia to Florida in the upcoming season. Georgia hopes to again be able to ship fresh fruit to Florida in 2025 to be packed. As in previous years, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will almost certainly require groves to …
The Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo is fast approaching. During the July All In For Citrus podcast, Tripti Vashisth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) associate professor, discussed the extensive citrus seminar program scheduled for Aug. 20–21 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. The citrus sessions will include more than 20 speakers over the course …
Fundecitrus Executive Director Juliano Ayres and researcher Nelson Wulff visited China recently to learn about strategies to combat citrus greening and to strengthen research partnerships. Their agenda included technical visits and participation in an international symposium on biotechnological innovations aimed at controlling greening. Among the highlights was a visit to the greenhouse of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing. …
Applications are being accepted for the Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) seventh program year. Applications must be submitted at the CRAFT website by Oct. 3. Here is a summary of available 2025 CRAFT programs: TRADITIONAL NEW TREE PLANTING PROGRAMThis program evaluates grower recommended rootstock/scion combinations in real-world commercial conditions. FAST TRACK NURSERY STOCK PROGRAMThe CRAFT board has identified …
