Australian Citrus Congress

Highlights of the Australian Citrus Congress

Daniel CooperEvents, International

The inaugural Australian Citrus Congress was held March 5–7 at the Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort. The event drew more than 400 attendees for a conference, trade show, gala dinner and biosecurity symposium. Organized by Citrus Australia, highlights of the event included the following: “Businesses across the supply chain had the opportunity to learn something new or make a connection that …

tolerant

Growers Must Settle for HLB-Tolerant Trees While Waiting for Resistance

Daniel CooperEvents, HLB Management, Varieties

The dream of citrus varieties being totally resistant to huanglongbing (HLB) disease (citrus greening) is still a distant reality for Florida growers. For now, they must depend on tolerant varieties to lessen the disease’s impact, which is widespread throughout most of the state. Michael Rogers, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center …

Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute

Register for the 2024 Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute

Daniel CooperEvents, HLB Management, Tip of the Week

Citrus greening or huanglongbing (HLB) continues to impact all citrus production areas of Florida. The 2024 Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute is an opportunity for Florida citrus growers to come together to learn about effective management of HLB and other challenging pests and diseases affecting the industry. Topics this year include horticultural management of HLB, citrus nutrient management and management of …

National Ag Day

March 19 Is National Ag Day

Daniel CooperAgriculture, Events

The Agriculture Council of America (ACA) has announced March 19 will be National Ag Day with the theme “Agriculture: Growing a Climate for Tomorrow.” The non-profit ACA organizes the annual event. Activities planned for March 19 include a virtual Ag Day program and in-person events in Washington, D.C. ACA will invite students to interact virtually with legislators and agency representatives, …

Florida Citrus Show

Visit the Vegetable Learning Stations at the Florida Citrus Show

Daniel CooperEvents, FCS24

Vegetable learning stations will be open at the Florida Citrus Show for growers to visit with experts on various production-oriented topics. The stations will be in the lobby of the U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory in Fort Pierce. Plan to visit the stations from 2:00–2:30 p.m. or after the vegetable speakers’ session concludes. The learning stations will feature the following topics: …

growers

Highlands Growers Learn More About Crop Transformation Center

Daniel CooperEvents, HLB Management

The Highlands County Citrus Growers Association hosted its annual meeting and banquet in early March in Sebring, Florida. The event was well attended. Growers were mostly in good spirits, hoping that trunk-injection therapy will be the bridge to the next breakthrough to return citrus production and quality to viable levels. Most believe the ultimate HLB solution will come in the …

Citrus Showcase

Citrus Showcase Coming to California

Daniel CooperCalifornia Corner, Events

California Citrus Mutual (CCM) will host the 2024 Citrus Showcase on March 14 at the Visalia Convention Center in Visalia, California. The event will feature informational workshops, continuing education unit-approved courses, a trade show and an industry luncheon. The luncheon keynote speaker will be California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross.  “We are extremely pleased to have a …

florida citrus show

The Florida Citrus Show Is a Month Away!

Daniel CooperEvents, FCS24

Citrus and specialty crop growers are invited to gather on April 3 in Fort Pierce at the Florida Citrus Show. The event takes place at the Indian River Research and Education Center and the U.S Horticultural Research Laboratory. The trade show and breakfast begin at 8:00 a.m. Take the time to network with exhibitors before the general session begins at …

Georgia Citrus

Georgia Citrus Industry ‘Looking Forward’

Daniel CooperEvents, Georgia

The citrus industry has found footing in Georgia and needs continued support as this promising industry marches toward the future. Events like the Georgia Citrus Association annual meeting on Feb. 27 at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center provided information tailored to protecting growers’ investments. “One of the things we wanted to do differently this year is remind …

AgNet Media Set to Host Florida Citrus Show

Morgan ColeEvents, FCS24

Citrus and specialty crop producers should mark their calendars for the upcoming Florida Citrus Show, scheduled for Wednesday, April 3, in Fort Pierce, Florida. This will be the second year of AgNet Media hosting the event, which will once again feature a tailgating theme with vendors exhibiting their products and services while sharing delicious foods. In addition, general and educational …

Top Tailgater To Be Named at Florida Citrus Show

Morgan ColeEvents, FCS24

Exhibitors are gearing up to compete for the Top Tailgater title at this year’s Florida Citrus Show. The reigning champion, Southern Citrus Nurseries, took home the title and $500 cash for their vegetable spring rolls last year. This year, they’re competing to be the two-year champion with virgin bloody mary oyster shots. Who will bring home the prize this year? …

Endangered Species Act To Be Addressed at Florida Citrus Show

Morgan ColeEvents, FCS24

During the Florida Citrus Show’s general session, Mike Aerts, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association vice president, science and regulatory affairs, will address how the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is being used to challenge the registration of key crop protection materials. The ESA has already been used to knock down the use of two active ingredients specific to citrus. Currently, the …

panel

Gulf Citrus Grower Panel Discusses Trunk Injection

Daniel CooperEvents, Gulf, HLB Management

The Gulf Citrus Growers Association recently hosted a grower panel at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee to discuss experiences and results of trunk injection of oxytetracycline (OTC) to treat HLB. Participating in the panel were Ron English, Florida’s Natural Growers/Ranch 1; David Wheeler, Wheeler Farms; and …

field day

Field Day Features Mechanical Citrus Harvest

Daniel CooperEvents, Technology

By Frank Giles A recent field day showcased how technology might help citrus growers with two of their biggest challenges: sourcing labor and fighting HLB.  The event was held at Lost Lake Groves in Lake Placid, Florida, and featured machine harvest of citrus trees in an experimental super-high-density grove. The grove has 908 trees per acre and has been topped …

international

International Event to Focus on Flavor

Daniel CooperEvents, International

Food and beverage industry representatives from across the world will gather in Orlando March 4–6 to learn the research behind unique tastes and aromas during the third International Flavor Summit. The conference will be held at the Holiday Inn Lake Buena Vista.  Scientists from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) …

Put Research Results to Work

Morgan ColeEvents, FCS24

At the Florida Citrus Show, growers will learn the latest research results that they can put to work in their groves. Doug Bournique, executive vice president of the Indian River Citrus League, encourages growers to attend the event to hear research straight from the source. The Florida Citrus Show is hosted at the University of Florida Institute of Food and …

Attention Vegetable Growers: The Florida Citrus Show Is for You, Too!

Morgan ColeEvents, FCS24

For many years, the Florida Citrus Show has provided citrus growers with an excellent networking opportunity and educational program. Now, the event has added vegetable programming that growers will not want to miss. Show planners are developing a unique program for commercial vegetable growers that will combine traditional seminars with a “build-your-own” learning experience. After the morning general session, which …