UF/IFAS

UF/IFAS in Labs, at Citrus Expo and More

Ernie NeffAll In For Citrus Podcast, Citrus Expo, Research

In the latest phase of COVID-19 re-openings, more citrus researchers have returned to University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) laboratories. Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) Director Michael Rogers says the number of researchers allowed in labs had been gradually increasing throughout the pandemic. Rogers also discusses an award won by a CREC researcher, work on …

citrus

All In For Citrus Podcast, June 2020

Taylor HillmanAll In For Citrus Podcast

Listen to the June episode of the All In For Citrus podcast to hear a bit of breaking news as well as updates on two research projects with exciting potential. Citrus Research and Education Center Director Michael Rogers learned just hours before the recording of this episode that the University of Florida was moving forward with phase three of reopening …

UF/IFAS

UF/IFAS: More Ways to Reach Citrus Growers

Ernie NeffAll In For Citrus Podcast

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) personnel are finding more ways to stay in touch with growers safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are doing it online and by phone; some are now even being allowed to visit in person, like at groves owned by growers cooperating with UF/IFAS on research. If UF/IFAS personnel do show …

citrus

All In For Citrus Podcast, May 2020

Taylor HillmanAll In For Citrus Podcast, Sponsored Content

In May’s All In For Citrus Podcast, listeners can hear the latest huanglongbing (HLB) research and recommendations as well as how the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus team is operating as COVID-19 restrictions begin to ease. As always, Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) Director Michael Rogers begins the podcast. He shares news about …

extension

Extension Agent Ajia Paolillo on the Job

Ernie NeffAll In For Citrus Podcast, extension

Ajia Paolillo recently succeeded Steve Futch as the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus Extension agent for DeSoto, Hardee and Manatee counties. COVID-19 social distancing measures have been keeping her out of the field. But she emphasizes that she is “still working and definitely available to help with any problems (growers) have, any questions, any …

UF/IFAS Working Through COVID-19

Ernie NeffAll In For Citrus Podcast, COVID-19

Whether in the field or from home, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus staffers are working for growers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Michael Rogers, director of the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center at Lake Alfred, tells how. “We still are doing business right now,” Rogers says. “IFAS continues to provide support in any way …

citrus

All In For Citrus Podcast, April 2020

Taylor HillmanAll In For Citrus Podcast, Sponsored Content

April’s All In For Citrus podcast includes timely information, says goodbye to a recognized figure at the University of Florida, and says hello to a new face on the citrus team. Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) Director Michael Rogers starts off the episode with on update on operations amid COVID-19 restrictions. The citrus team has transitioned to working remotely …

HLB

UF/IFAS Still Serving Citrus Growers

Ernie NeffAll In For Citrus Podcast

Like much of the rest of the world, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has closed its research and Extension facilities to visitors because of COVID-19. The closures are intended to protect the public and UF/IFAS employees from the coronavirus. Additionally, all UF/IFAS-sponsored events have been cancelled through the end of April. But UF/IFAS employees …

citrus

All In For Citrus Podcast, March 2020

Taylor HillmanAll In For Citrus Podcast

The March episode of the All In For Citrus podcast covers how the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) is operating under COVID-19 restrictions and some of the research that continues. CREC Center Director Michael Rogers starts the episode with the impacts COVID-19 is having on the citrus research team …

nutrition

Updates From the Citrus Research and Education Center Director

Ernie NeffAll In For Citrus Podcast

Michael Rogers provided updates on the Citrus Nutrition Box program initiated last fall and on the search for a new University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) vice president. He also announced the hiring of a new citrus Extension agent. Rogers is director of the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC). NUTRITION BOX PROGRAMRogers said 75 …

citrus

All In For Citrus Podcast, February 2020

Taylor HillmanAll In For Citrus Podcast

This month’s podcast includes three timely interviews on topics of interest to the citrus industry. Citrus Research and Education Center Director Michael Rogers gives an update on the Citrus Nutrition Box Program that started last fall, including the individualized nutrition recommendations being made by University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) experts. Rogers also shares the latest …

Oranges

Working Toward Better Juice Oranges

Ernie NeffAll In For Citrus Podcast, Orange Juice

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) geneticist and plant breeder Jude Grosser discusses the need for new juice oranges and some new cultivar choices. Grosser says one reason for new varieties is the decline in orange juice sales. “In my opinion, the best way to combat that is to have a higher quality orange juice that’s …

UF/IFAS

‘Doubling Down’ on Citrus Communications

Ernie NeffAll In For Citrus Podcast

“This year we’re really doubling down and looking to improve our communications even further,” says Michael Rogers, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC). “Communications continue to be our focus in the statewide IFAS citrus program.” A big part of the communication effort is getting information to growers …

citrus

All In For Citrus Podcast, January 2020

Taylor HillmanAll In For Citrus Podcast

The first episode of the year of the All In For Citrus Podcast includes efforts to get research information out to growers, threshold numbers on production costs that are a little shocking with current juice prices the way they are, nutrition programs that continue to help manage HLB-affected trees, and breeding work to solve citrus challenges. Senior Correspondent-at-Large Ernie Neff …

citrus

All In For Citrus Podcast, December 2019

Taylor HillmanAll In For Citrus Podcast

The December All In For Citrus podcast has critical insights on citrus production, including contract issues, a view from Brazil, soil health research and the Winter Weather Watch program. Numerous Florida citrus growers have no contracts and no offers, or very low offers, for their juice oranges this season. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus …

UF Researchers Study Drone Use in Citrus

Len WilcoxAll In For Citrus Podcast, California Corner, Technology

In the latest All In For Citrus podcast, Yiannis Ampatzidis, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) associate professor of agricultural and biological engineering, discusses new studies in drone technology applications for agriculture. Citrus growers can currently use drones to find out how many trees live in their groves, and they soon may be able to detect …

citrus

All In For Citrus Podcast, November 2019

Taylor HillmanAll In For Citrus Podcast

The All In For Citrus podcast for November is packed with updates on various aspects of citrus production. Citrus Research and Education Center Director Michael Rogers tells how the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) helped a Washington Post reporter write a well-balanced article about the Florida citrus industry and HLB. Rogers points out that the …

citrus

All In For Citrus Podcast, October 2019

Taylor HillmanAll In For Citrus Podcast

October’s All In For Citrus podcast includes something new — a California guest! First, events providing growers with starter nutrition sampling kits went so well this month that an extra event has been added for next month, reports Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) Director Michael Rogers. Another well-attended event that he discusses was the CREC Plant Improvement Team’s first …

More on the UF Citrus Nutrition Program

Ernie NeffAll In For Citrus Podcast, Nutrition

At Citrus Expo, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) introduced a new Citrus Nutrition Program to help growers ensure their trees are getting the proper nutrition. Tripti Vashisth, UF/IFAS horticulturist at the Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC), provides more information about the effort. “We have learned the past few years that citrus nutrition can …

grapefruit

Grapefruit and Marathon Discussed

Ernie NeffAll In For Citrus Podcast, Grapefruit

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) plant breeder Fred Gmitter discusses efforts to create a replacement for grapefruit. He also talks about the recently released mandarin variety, Marathon. Gmitter points out that grapefruit is “one of the most sensitive of all the citrus varieties” to HLB dusease and has “taken the greatest hit” in terms of …