Blue Goose

PIECES OF THE PAST: True Blue Goose

Daniel CooperPieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette James S. Crutchfield came into the world on a summer day — July 3, 1874 — in the small farming town of Goshen, Kentucky. His folks, Albert and Hatta, worked the land, and that country know-how ran deep in Crutchfield from the start. He got his schooling in Louisville, then set his sights on Florida in …

varieties

Florida Citrus Commission Exercises Rights to Varieties

Daniel CooperFlorida Citrus Commission, Florida Department of Citrus, Varieties

The Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) on Sept. 17 approved a Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) request to exercise the right to eight new varieties from the Florida Foundation Seed Producers (FFSP). These varieties were developed by the University of Florida Citrus Research and Education Center Citrus Breeding Program. The FCC, which governs the FDOC, will retain exclusive rights to the varieties …

weeds

The Relationship Between Snails and Weeds Needs Research

Daniel CooperPests, weeds

The preference of Bulimulus bonariensis snails to feed on weeds in citrus groves does not necessarily imply that increased weed management will lead to a reduction in pest populations. This relationship requires further research by Lauren Diepenbrock, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professor and entomologist. “It’s something I think we really need to look …

Psyllids

Psyllids and HLB Spreading in Georgia

Daniel CooperGeorgia, HLB Management, Psyllids

Populations of Asian citrus psyllids (ACP) have been found in residential and commercial citrus in Georgia’s Lowndes and Wayne counties during the past two months. ACP spread huanglongbing (HLB) disease. In several places where ACP were found, HLB-infected trees were identified nearby. University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (UGA CAES) entomologist Apurba Barman provided details about the …

podcast

All In For Citrus Podcast, September 2025

Daniel CooperAll In For Citrus Podcast

Varieties and rootstocks are the topics of the September episode of the All In For Citrus podcast. Earlier this month, a field day was held in Jason Griffin’s grove near Lake Alfred, Florida. He is collaborating with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) to evaluate several rootstock/scion combinations developed by UF/IFAS citrus breeders. Griffin has …

brown rot

Putting Down Brown Rot

Daniel CooperDiseases, Tip of the Week

By Megan Dewdney Sometimes there is an unfortunate coincidence between the timing of fruit changing color and rain events. This can set up a situation where brown rot occurs unexpectedly and growers need to stop the disease after it has begun. CONTROL OPTIONS By this time of year, the traditional brown rot control measures are less effective. These are primarily …

snail management

Tools Available for Bulimulus Snail Management

Daniel CooperCitrus Expo, Pests

“Bulimulus snail management is an ongoing challenge, but we have some tools to help!” researcher Lauren Diepenbrock stated in her recent Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo presentation. CHALLENGES Diepenbrock, associate professor of entomology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Citrus Research and Education Center, reported that not every Florida grove is infested with the snails. …

National Greening Prevention

Brazil to Implement National Greening Prevention and Control Program

Daniel CooperBrazil, HLB Management

Brazilian agriculture officials recently visited Fundecitrus to discuss the first steps in implementing the National Greening Prevention and Control Program, which will be implemented by the states. The officials were with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA) and the Agricultural Defense Coordination Office of the State of São Paulo. The ordinance establishing the National Greening Prevention and …

replanting

Replanting Is the Next Chapter for Florida Citrus

Daniel CooperFlorida Department of Citrus

By Marisa L. Zansler Two decades of decline has resulted in a loss of nearly 2 out of every 3 acres since 2004. That is a sobering statistic, and it captures the harsh reality of Florida’s iconic citrus industry. The symbol of the state’s agricultural strength has endured a prolonged period of decline driven by the impacts from the spread …

Georgia

Determining the Best Satsumas for Georgia

Daniel CooperGeorgia, Varieties

A University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences (UGA CAES) publicationevaluates 12 early-maturing satsuma varieties and compares them to Owari to determine which ones may be best suited for Georgia. While Owari — harvestable late October through mid-November — is the most popular variety grown in Georgia, growers have an increasing interest in earlier-maturing citrus. The early-maturing varieties …

Cantrell

Cantrell Contributes to Knowledge on HLB-Tolerant Rootstocks

Daniel CooperHLB Management, Rootstocks

Ryan Cantrell spent the summer of 2025 as a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) intern contributing to knowledge about the devastating citrus disease HLB. The undergraduate student worked under the supervision of Assistant Professor Liliana Cano and Biological Scientist Edinson Diaz in the plant pathology laboratory at the Indian River Research and Education Center.  Cantrell …

phytophthora

Proper Site Selection Essential for Phytophthora Prevention

Daniel CooperCold Hardy, Diseases

Vulnerability of citrus trees to phytophthora root rot is a concern for cold-hardy growers. But there are precautions that producers can implement that will guard against infection buildup. One of those precautions includes site selection and not planting trees in poorly drained locations, according to Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia assistant professor and small fruits pathologist. “Site prep is really …

director

New Florida Farm Service Agency Director Focused on Grower Engagement

Daniel CooperAgriculture

Earlier this summer, the Trump administration appointed Marcinda Kester to serve as the state executive director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Kester has worked for FSA for 33 years and most recently served as the FSA county executive director for Florida’s Polk, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Prior …

Texas

Texas Mexfly Quarantine Update

Daniel CooperPests, Regulation, Texas

Federal and Texas agriculture officials amended the Brownsville Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly) quarantine in Cameron County and removed the Edinburg Mexfly quarantine in Hidalgo County. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) made the amendments. On Aug. 22, APHIS and TDA reduced the Brownsville quarantine by 67 square …

UF/IFAS

UF/IFAS Hosts Citrus Packinghouse Day

Daniel CooperAwards, Events, Packing

The 64th annual Citrus Packinghouse Day was held in early September at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred. The event drew fresh fruit growers and packers from various parts of Florida. Presentations were given on shipping regulations, new varieties and citrus under protective screen (CUPS). Fresh fruit, …

future

A Bright Future and New Normal for Citrus

Daniel CooperCitrus Expo

Citrus has a brighter future in Florida and surrounding areas, according to one industry expert. Hopefully, there will be enough farmers left standing to profit from it. Rick Dantzler, Citrus Research and Development Foundation chief operating officer, was a featured speaker at this year’s Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo. He spoke about the industry’s future as it continues to navigate …

orange forecast

Brazilian Orange Forecast Revised

Daniel CooperBrazil, Crop Forecast

On Sept. 10, Brazil reduced the 2025–26 orange forecast for the São Paulo and Triângulo/Southwest Minas Gerais Citrus Belt by 2.5% from the season’s initial forecast, to 306.74 million boxes. This was the first revised forecast issued by Fundecitrus since May. The reduction was mainly due to the increased projected fruit drop rate, which was a result of the increased …

Greasy Green

Greasy Green and Its Management

Daniel CooperCitrus Expo, Diseases

A citrus disorder called greasy green has plagued Florida grapefruit producers for several years, causing a significant reduction in profits. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Associate Professor and Extension Specialist Megan Dewdney discussed the disorder and its management at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo in August. Dewdney works at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and …

Orlando Magic

Orlando Magic/Uncle Matt’s Partnership

Daniel CooperOrange Juice, Organic

The Orlando Magic and Uncle Matt’s Organic have announced a multi-year partnership, making Uncle Matt’s the Magic’s official organic juice partner. Uncle Matt’s will be featured inside the Magic’s home, Kia Center, both as the presenting partner of Stuff’s Magic Castle and with the organic juices being sold inside the arena. Additional in-arena brand integrations include signage on the basket stanchions …

pre-harvest

Pre-Harvest Clues for Better Citrus

Daniel CooperIndian River, Tip of the Week, Varieties

By Flavia Zambon and Mac Hossain The Millennium Block is located at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC). It is designed to support long-term citrus trials under real-world growing conditions, including HLB pressure, but without oxytetracycline injections. Currently, the block has 19 distinct grapefruit and pummelo scions in …