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Christopher Groom will succeed Robert Behr as chief executive officer (CEO) of Florida’s Natural Growers on Jan. 1, 2023. Groom is currently chief operating officer (COO) of the cooperative. Since 2011, Groom has held several roles with the organization. He was marketing executive and then vice president of sales and marketing before becoming COO in 2019. “Chris is a valued …
By Thomas H. Spreen Citrus under protective screen (CUPS) is a relatively new technology being adopted to help spur expansion of fresh citrus production in Florida. Large screen houses (approximately 10 acres) are constructed. In the current arrangement, several screen houses are located together to facilitate caretaking and harvest. Trees are planted at high densities (more than 300 trees per …
The use of a drone for chemical control of the psyllid that spreads HLB adds to Brazil’s efforts to battle the citrus disease, recent research indicates. The research was conducted by Fundecitrus in partnership with the startup Anáhata Serviços Agronômicos. Drones are ideal for complementing terrestrial applications and for emergency applications that need to be made quickly. For example, a …
Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) Chairman Steve Johnson recently cited the partnership between the FCC and Florida Citrus Mutual as “a shining example of the synergy happening in our industry.” The FCC serves as the governing board of the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC). Mutual is the state’s largest association of citrus growers. “The two entities, which at times have diverse …
By Brenda Eubanks Burnette In the 1940 Annual Citrus Edition of Orlando’s The Sunday Sentinel-Star, the “No. 1 Citrus Man of the Year” was Spessard L. Holland. The citrus industry article reads as follows: “SMALL GROWER ELECTED GOVERNOR — Pledged to keep partisan politics out of the Florida Citrus Commission and the administration of the state’s citrus laws, Spessard L. …
The urgency is high to find any solution to help citrus growers more effectively mitigate HLB. During the Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute this month, Citrus Research and Education Center director Michael Rogers gave a presentation that outlined the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research projects aimed at finding short-term HLB solutions. “We understand where the …
Florida citrus growers can learn more about the use of plant growth regulators (PGRs) in the fight against fruit drop at an upcoming online seminar. The webinar will be at 10 a.m., April 27 and will be presented by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Speakers at the webinar, titled “Gibberellic Acid Research Update and …
By Ariel Singerman and Stephen H. Futch Chemical input prices have increased significantly over the last year. In particular, the price of fertilizer has roughly doubled during the last 12 months, as denoted by Figure 1. Figure 1. Producer Price Index of Nitrogenous Fertilizer Manufacturing Source: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Supply and demand factors help explain such an …
The Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM) board of directors voted earlier this month to support the continuation of the Florida Research Order. It encouraged Florida citrus growers to vote for continuation in a May referendum. The board acted after hearing from Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) Chief Operating Officer Rick Dantzler and discussing the importance of a continued funding mechanism …
By Ramdas Kanissery It is essential to maintain a patch of weeds or vegetation in the row middles to hold the soil from eroding and, at the same time, without being a source for weed invasion into the tree rows (Figure 1). Below are some quick tips for managing the vegetation in row-middle spaces between the citrus tree rows: MOW …
The area of Falfurrias, Texas, was a very prosperous citrus-growing region from 1909 until 1951, according to Romulo Montilla, who has a ranch there. “However, in 1951 there was a freezing temperature that killed close to 90% of the citrus. In 1967, the remaining citrus was eliminated with another terrible freeze.” Montilla and others recently began working to return citrus …
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles and practices are a critical component of pollinator protection approaches in farming. The 2022 BeSure campaign from the Growing Matters Coalition reminds industry members that pollinators play a vital role in agriculture and need to be kept safe. Field Development Representative for Gowan, Dr. Shine Taylor said there are several ways that growers can keep …
By Tripti Vashisth and Faisal Shahzad Mandarin production has been increasing in Florida since some mandarin varieties can potentially withstand HLB better than sweet orange varieties. Mandarin varieties such as Tango are popular among growers. However, Florida weather poses challenges for the external fruit quality; the peel color is often not satisfactory. Warm night temperatures in fall inhibit chlorophyll breakdown, …
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is asking fruit growers in North Florida, Alabama and Georgia to take a survey about crop biostimulants. UF/IFAS will use the results to better help those growers with the use of biostimulants and direct future research and Extension education programs. Those participating in the anonymous survey are asked to …
By Hailing Jin Research on the effectiveness of a novel stable antimicrobial peptide (SAMP) identified from the Australian finger lime (Microcitrus australasica) to fight huanglongbing (HLB) continues in a multistate initiative involving 1,500 citrus trees. Although the pandemic has impacted the progress of the research, work has steadily continued and expanded. Researchers at the University of California, Riverside and University …
The last hurricane to cause major, widespread damage to Florida’s citrus industry was Irma five years ago, in September 2017. But growers should stay on alert this year, because Colorado State University (CSU) researchers are predicting an active Atlantic hurricane season in 2022. The CSU Tropical Meteorology Project team is predicting 19 named storms during the Atlantic hurricane season, which …
The 2023 Farm Bill was one of the major themes of the recent Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference held at the University of Florida’s Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka. While in the early stages, discussions are already underway for next year’s farm bill. The federal legislation will lay out agricultural policy for the following five years. The direction …
Matt Joyner, Florida Citrus Mutual’s (FCM) new chief executive officer and executive vice president, recently reported that FCM helped achieve substantial citrus industry support in the recent Florida legislative session. Following are citrus-related items that Joyner highlighted in the recently passed state budget: $8 million for the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) to continue basic research into HLB ($3 …
Federal and state agriculture agencies on March 22 established a new Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly) quarantine in Zapata County, Texas, and expanded the Brownsville and Harlingen quarantine areas in Cameron County. On March 30, the agencies expanded the Palmview quarantine area in Hidalgo County. The actions were taken by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service …
India and Australia have reached an interim outcome in free trade agreement negotiations that will reduce tariffs on Australian citrus exports by 50%. When enacted, the interim agreement will allow the entry of 13,700 tons of Australian citrus into India at a reduced tariff of 15%. The agreement coincides with a renewed effort by Citrus Australia to increase exports to …
