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State and federal officials are collaborating in the development of a regulatory response to a new citrus disease in California. Citrus yellow vein clearing virus (CYVCV) was identified in the city of Tulare in March. The discovery is the first instance of the disease in the United States. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the U.S. Department …
Ramdas Kanissery, speaking at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo, offered what he called an important strategy to prevent weed outbreaks in groves: “Never let ’em germinate.” Growers can keep weeds from germinating with pre-emergent herbicide programs, said the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professor of weed science. He works at the Southwest Florida …
Florida Citrus Mutual recently answered questions growers might have about reporting damage from Hurricane Ian: Q: I have crop and tree damage from the hurricane, whom should I call to report damage? A: Insurance: If you have crop insurance for either tree or fruit coverage, you must notify your agent that you are reporting a claim. Federal assistance: All growers …
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) announced on Sept. 23 that the oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) has been eradicated from Pinellas County. In June, FDACS Division of Plant Industry positively identified oriental fruit flies detected during routine trapping. Additional flies were discovered during expanded trapping activities. A quarantine was established in the St. Petersburg area that …
By Tripti Vashisth Hurricane Ian caused extensive destruction on the Florida coast and inland, in both urban and rural areas. The state’s citrus groves had to sustain hurricane-speed winds and flooding. HLB-affected trees undergo a lot a stress, and now the hurricane has added more abiotic stress to trees. High-speed winds caused significant fruit drop and leaf drop. The goal …
Four federal disaster assistance programs and one Florida program are among those available to growers to assist in recovery after Hurricane Ian. The first four programs listed below are available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). To apply for these programs, contact a local FSA office, or the Florida FSA office at 352-379-4500. EMERGENCY LOAN PROGRAMThe …
Editor’s note: The September All In For Citrus podcast was recorded prior to Hurricane Ian’s impact on Florida. During the September All In For Citrus Podcast, Michael Burton discussed his recent move to Florida to become the new center director of the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC). Burton provided details on his background and shared his research priorities …
By Ariel Singerman During the 2021–22 citrus season, the Risk Management Agency (RMA) started offering a new option to Florida citrus growers for insuring their crop. The policy is called Actual Production History (APH) and provides coverage for yield losses based on a farm’s historical records. While the Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) policy also uses farm records as a …
“Hurricane Ian has devastated much of Florida’s citrus industry,” said Michael Rogers, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center. “The harsh reality is that the 2022–2023 season will be one of the most challenging that any of us has faced.” Several UF/IFAS Extension agents made early assessments of the …
Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM) announced that an Oct. 12 event in Hardee County originally scheduled as the initial crop forecast luncheon will now be a post-Hurricane Ian information meeting. Lunch will still be provided. The meeting, open to all Florida citrus growers, will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the Putnam Ranch, 8290 Martin Lane, Zolfo Springs. FCM asks that …
A week before Hurricane Ian tore across Florida, Glenn Beck of Beck Bros. Citrus reported that there were hopeful signs for the coming season. Fruit in his better-looking groves were in the size range that tends to hold on trees until harvest. Beck, and his brother Mark, own and manage citrus groves across the state. He says each day since …
Federal and state agriculture authorities on Sept. 16 established an Oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) quarantine in the Fountain Valley area of Orange County, California. The action was taken by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). This action is in response to the confirmed detections …
Citrus Australia has asked Victorian Premier Dan Andrews to appoint a commissioner of horticultural labor and accommodation to manage solutions to a current horticulture crisis. Nathan Hancock, Citrus Australia’s chief executive officer, said extreme shortages in both labor and housing will get worse without direct intervention. “These issues (labor and housing shortages) are having a significant impact on the current and …
Alico, Inc. reported on Sept. 30 that initial observations following Hurricane Ian indicate there was significant drop of fruit in its groves. However, most trees remain intact. The magnitude of the fruit drop will be formally calculated by the company’s staff and insurance companies in coming weeks. Alico has 48,900 acres of citrus groves in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Hendry, …
Federal and state authorities on Aug. 10 removed the Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly) quarantine area in Weslaco, Hidalgo County, Texas. This area was a portion of the Harlingen-Lyford-Weslaco quarantine. The action was taken by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). On April 8, APHIS and TDA established …
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) faculty recommend actions citrus growers can take to prevent further damage to root systems and future fruit drop following Hurricane Ian. DEAL WITH PHYTOPHTHORAIf standing water has occurred in groves with phytophthora problems, growers should evaluate for root damage and treat accordingly. Floodwaters resulting from heavy rains can severely impact …
Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association reported the following actions that Florida government agencies took during and after Hurricane Ian to aid impacted agricultural entities, including citrus. SUSPENSION OF WEIGHT RESTRICTIONSThe Florida Department of Transportation announced it suspended the size and weight restrictions for divisible loads on any vehicles transporting emergency equipment, services, supplies and agricultural commodities, including citrus and sugar. …
Editor’s note: This Q&A was conducted prior to Hurricane Ian striking Florida. After the storm, Matt Joyner said that Florida Citrus Mutual is working with growers in the recovery process and collecting information to aid in any potential requests for assistance. Matt Joyner started with Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM) in December of 2018 as director of government relations. In April …
By Michelle Danyluk In terms of food safety, not all standing water in a field is considered floodwater. Flooding is considered the flowing or overflowing of a field from open bodies of water outside the food crop producer’s control. Events that lead to pooled water or excess standing water in a field, such as rain or a problem with an …
Borates Today recently issued a news release titled Citrus Fruits and Boron: What You Need to Know. A summary follows: Boron is a trace element used in the production of citrus fruits. It is required for proper plant development and preserving consistent fruit yield and quality. The element has a role in flower initiation, pollen germination, nitrogen metabolism, hormonal influences …
