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The citrus industry in Georgia is quickly gaining ground. Extension agents from Fort Valley State University (FVSU), University of Georgia (UGA) and the University of Florida (UF) hosted a virtual conference on April 27 providing updates from UGA Extension on citrus production in Georgia. Topics discussed during the meeting included current citrus production numbers in Georgia, tree sources, yield forecasts …
By Ariel Singerman The use of mesh bags has been proposed as a strategy for excluding Asian citrus psyllids to protect young citrus trees. The expected benefit of using mesh bags is increased yield by delaying HLB infection. A scientific experiment to evaluate the effectiveness of mesh bags started in February 2018. There are still many unknowns regarding yield, use …
In a bipartisan effort, 17 U.S. representatives from Florida sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue asking him to reconsider the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) decision to allow importation of five types of Chinese fresh citrus to the United States. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, along with leaders of citrus and other agricultural groups, have already …
By Brenda Eubanks Burnette I recently went to the funeral of Pate Snively, who was a longtime Winter Haven resident and citrus grower. I attended school with several of his nephews but got to know Snively when I was ending my reign as the Florida Citrus Queen in 1982. I was offered the opportunity to sell ads in our program …
Drought conditions this spring have brought renewed attention to the importance of irrigation for Florida citrus growers. The May issue of Citrus Industry magazine includes two articles on irrigation that will help growers make the most of their water resources. In the first article, growers will learn tips on how to keep their irrigation systems properly maintained. University of Florida …
At the beginning of the year, the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) launched a new marketing campaign concentrated on driving sales of 100 percent orange juice. The effort includes targeted digital and social media ads that connect consumers directly with online retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Target and Instacart. The campaign emphasizes the role that 100 percent orange juice plays in …
Leaders of citrus and other agricultural groups in Florida joined Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried in strongly opposing the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) recent decision to allow fresh Chinese citrus imports into the United States. An April 21 letter that Fried wrote to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue stated in part, “The dire situation on the ground due to …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is exercising enforcement discretion for a temporary period to provide flexibilities to the Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) requirements. USDA is allowing the redistribution of food products intended for food-service markets to be sold in retail establishments. COOL is a labeling law that requires retailers to notify their customers with information regarding where certain foods originated. …
By Ramdas Kanissery and Mongi Zekri Newly planted citrus trees and resets require more care and attention than established trees, especially when it comes to weed control. Florida’s weather conditions like high summer temperatures and often heavy rainfall make weed control in young groves difficult. Weeds compete with young citrus trees for nutrients, moisture and other resources, and may hinder …
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) will conduct surveys to better understand how measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 are impacting Florida agriculture and marine industries. Faculty from the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics (FRE) department are deploying surveys to UF/IFAS Extension agents and industry professionals to capture this important information. Citrus growers and …
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus Extension agents reported that the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has extended Emergency Order 2020-002, which includes pesticide license renewal and expiration information. Emergency Order 2020-007, signed by Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried on April 20, extends the expiration period for another 60 days. “Please remember that …
Ray Royce, executive director of the Highlands County Citrus Growers Association, has an important reminder: “Tomorrow, April 15, is the closing date to have your Multiple Peril Crop Insurance policy for citrus in place for the upcoming year.” Royce reminds growers, “If you received, or are expecting to receive in the future, any hurricane relief funds, one of the primary …
By Sandra M. Guzmán New challenges require new solutions. This is especially true with water and nutrient management in Florida citrus. Currently, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) team is analyzing fabric mulch groundcovers for young lemon trees on a commercial scale. During the last year, the use of groundcovers has shown water savings of …
Citrus growers have multiple options in their weed management toolbox to tackle such problems as parthenium, ragweed, sweet clover and amaranth. Ramdas Kanissery, weed scientist and assistant professor at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, believes the right tool or combination of tools can improve yields and help protect trees. …
Florida Citrus Commission Chairman Ned Hancock reports that the news continues to be positive on the retail sales front for orange juice. “During this time of great uncertainty, Americans continue to seek out products they know and trust,” he said in an April 10 report to Florida citrus industry members. “Additionally, they are turning to items they know may help …
Laural Dunn, assistant professor in the University of Georgia Department of Food Science & Technology, offers some tips on how farms and packinghouses can best handle COVID-19. Dunn says producers should educate workers on COVID-19 symptoms, how it spreads and how to reduce the spread of the disease. She recommends sharing these University of Georgia Cooperative Extension guidelines with …
Brazil reported it will produce 386.79 million boxes of oranges in the 2019–20 season. This is the final forecast for the season and includes production from the São Paulo, Triângulo Mineiro and West-Southwest Minas Gerais Citrus Belt. Fundecitrus, in cooperation with Markestrat, FEA-RP/USP and FCAV/Unesp2, published the forecast on April 9. It represents a decrease of 0.54 percent compared to …
Water is a limiting factor in Florida citrus production during the majority of the year. Florida citrus trees may require irrigation throughout the year due to the low water-holding capacity of sandy soils and the warm subtropical climate with distinct drought periods during the spring. Davie Kadyampakeni, assistant professor of soil and water sciences at the University of Florida Institute …
A grower is excited about the potential of citrus in the South Georgia/North Florida region. Kim Jones, who owns a citrus packing facility in Monticello, Florida, and is part-owner of a similar facility that will soon open in Tifton, Georgia, believes citrus will be the alternative crop producers are looking for to stabilize their farming operations. “Right now, the row …
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) hemp program is seeking 20 qualified partners across Florida for on-farm trials. Zack Brym, agronomist at the Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead and research coordinator of the UF/IFAS Industrial Hemp Pilot Project, says partner farms will conduct a coordinated field planting on 2 acres with variations in land …
