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By Tom Spreen To proclaim that 2022 was a difficult year for the Florida citrus industry would be an understatement. In late January, a short freeze hit much of the commercial citrus-producing area with long-term implications. While its effect on the 2021–22 crop was small, it came as the 2022–23 bloom was about to begin after a warm December. It …
There is some buzz among citrus growers that new HLB therapies are beginning to show positive results in trees. But visual observations of trees are subjective and can vary from grove to grove and grower to grower. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has developed a new tool for growers that will provide a more …
While the U.S. domestic supply of citrus has declined tremendously, imports have increased substantially. That, says American Farm Bureau Federation economist Daniel Munch, is a telltale sign that consumer demand for citrus in the United States is now greater than domestic production capacity. “In other words, we’ve become partially reliant on other nations for citrus products,” Munch writes in U.S. …
Citrus black spot (CBS) disease was confirmed at a second location in Florida’s Polk County in March. The new find was in a grove near State Road 60 and Indian Lake Estates, east of Lake Wales. The only prior CBS infestation in Polk County was near U.S. 27 on the Highlands County border. But that location was turned into an …
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced additional steps being taken to strengthen the market for domestically grown organic goods, and to support producers seeking organic certification. These funding opportunities are part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Organic Transition Initiative. The initiative is a suite of offerings to help existing organic producers and those transitioning to organic production and processing. …
The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) recently released its 2023–2024 Public Policy Priorities for working with the Biden administration, regulatory agencies and Congress. TFI’s priorities are broken down into seven key areas: “Fertilizer is a globally traded commodity and heavily influenced by geopolitical events,” said TFI President and Chief Executive Officer Corey Rosenbusch. “Over the past two years, we have seen major …
The Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation received nearly 700 eligible applications — representing more than 42,000 acres — for its new Existing Tree Therapies Program. A random lottery drawing was recently conducted by a third party, and 159 projects have been selected for inclusion in the program. The remaining applications have been placed on a waitlist. CRAFT staff …
Brazil native Flavia Zambon will become assistant professor of production horticulture of citrus and other tree crops at the Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC) in November. The IRREC, located in Fort Pierce, is a branch of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Zambon has had years of research experience in all of Florida’s …
This year’s Florida state budget, established by the Legislature in early May, is the largest in history at nearly $115 billion. Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM) reported that approximately $65 million was allocated to the citrus industry. FCM itemized what was allocated to the citrus industry prior to Gov. Ron DeSantis signing the budget: Additionally, the Department of Agriculture package bill …
Craig Kallsen, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR) citrus and pistachio farm advisor for Kern County, offered suggestions for the use of gibberellic acid (GA3) on citrus in the San Joaquin Valley. Highlights follows: See Kallsen’s full article on gibberellic acid use here. Source: UCANR Sponsored ContentA Simpler, Safer and More Effective Way to Fight HLBOctober 25, 20245 …
The Global Coalition of Fresh Produce recently called on national and international policymakers to implement measures to safeguard the supply of affordable and safe fruits and vegetables worldwide. The coalition also sought to ensure the viability of the fruit and vegetable industry. The coalition made the requests in a report titled Global Value Chains for Fresh Produce: An Urgent Call …
By Amit Levy and Tripti Vashisth Many Florida citrus growers are currently injecting oxytetracycline, spraying gibberellic acid (GA) or treating trees with enhanced nutrition. A new program offered by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UFIFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) can help growers determine if these treatments are improving tree health and leading to …
Arnold Schumann, a professor of soil fertility and water quality with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), led the effort to study the effectiveness of citrus under protective screen (CUPS) in protecting trees from HLB. The work resulted in growers having confidence in the practice. Today, Florida CUPS plantings are closing in on 1,000 commercial …
The U.S. House Committee on Agriculture on May 11 reported favorably on a bill that would provide relief to Florida agriculture producers harmed by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole in 2022. The Block Grant Assistance Act is a bill to ensure the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) can provide that relief. The bill will head to the U.S. House floor for …
The BeSure! campaign from the Growing Matters Coalition tells us it’s always a good time to check your pesticide’s label. The coalition says when choosing crop protection tools, both effectiveness and potential impact on the environment must be considered. Protecting bees and other wildlife is a major part of good stewardship practices and is why Growing Matters launched BeSure!, an initiative to support growers …
In U.S. Citrus Production – An Uphill Battle to Survive, Daniel Munch zeroed in on issues impacting citrus-producing states. In excerpts that follow, the American Farm Bureau Federation economist focuses on weather, disease, population, production shifts and increasing costs that have impacted citrus. FLORIDA FACES NUMEROUS CHALLENGESIn 2017, Hurricane Irma’s high winds and damaging rains battered key citrus-producing regions in …
Citrus industry workers interested in learning more about citrus pest management are encouraged to enroll in Citrus Pest Management, a 16-week course taught by University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) faculty in the fall of 2023. The class provides a comprehensive overview of citrus pests and how best to manage them in today’s citrus greening environment. …
Winter Storm Elliott brought freezing temperatures to the Florida Panhandle Dec. 24–28, 2022, resulting in significant damage to citrus in the cold-hardy growing region. Trees that received significant freeze damage are more vulnerable to pests and diseases. Ambrosia beetles are among the pests being seen as a result of the storm. Because ambrosia beetles generally prefer dead or dying trees, …
American Farm Bureau Federation economist Daniel Munch recently detailed concerns about the U.S. citrus industry in a report titled U.S. Citrus Production – An Uphill Battle to Survive. Excerpts providing an overview of those concerns follow. Once leaders in citrus crop production, U.S. growers (particularly those in Florida) have faced numerous challenges that have led to an unfortunate decline in …
The citrus session at the Florida Grower Citrus Show started off with a special award acknowledgement by Ron Cave, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC). Cave recognized Pasco Avery for his induction into the 2022 class of the IPM Hall of Fame from the Southern IPM …
