chair

Citrus Executive Named Chair of Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association

Daniel CooperIndustry News Release

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) has named Steven Callaham, chief executive officer of Dundee Citrus Growers Association, as its chair for 2024–26. “Steven Callaham has long been a driving force in Florida’s citrus industry. His leadership, vision and dedication have strengthened the resilience and future success of the agricultural community,” said FFVA President Mike Joyner. “With his commitment …

Syngenta

Syngenta Seeks Citrus Interns for Summer

Daniel CooperIndustry News Release

Syngenta Crop Protection has announced it is accepting applications for its summer 2025 citrus internship program. These are paid internships offering hands-on experience in the agriculture industry. Applications can be made online. Applicants should complete the survey and upload their resumes here. The deadline for applying is Nov. 8, 2024.  ABOUT THE INTERNSHIPS Interns are assigned to mentors and territories …

Perricone

Perricone Farms Acquires Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company

Daniel CooperIndustry News Release

Perricone Farms, a craft juice company headquartered in California, announced its acquisition of Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company, based in Fort Pierce, Florida. Perricone Farms stated that the merger “strengthens both brands and enhances the ability to serve customers with excellence in quality and customer service coast-to-coast.” It added that the combined company will be able to take advantage of …

breast cancer

Sunkist Partners With National Breast Cancer Foundation

Daniel CooperIndustry News Release, Marketing

Sunkist Growers, Inc. recently announced a partnership with National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. (NBCF) to raise awareness about breast cancer and provide resources to those impacted by the disease. “Through their (Sunkist) support, they will help us provide early detection, education and support services to women affected by breast cancer across the country,” said Candice Hensley, NBCF senior manager of …

tropicana

Alico Announces New Contract With Tropicana

Daniel CooperIndustry News Release

Alico, Inc. announced that it entered into a new three-year agreement with its largest customer, Tropicana Brands Group (Tropicana), to supply citrus fruit. The agreement is effective June 5, 2024, through July 31, 2027. This supply agreement succeeds existing agreements that are set to expire at the end of July 2024. This agreement effectively sells the citrus fruit grown on …

star ruby

California Star Ruby Season and Contest Announced

Daniel CooperGrapefruit, Industry News Release

Sunkist Growers, Inc. recently announced that California Star Ruby grapefruit season has arrived. The company also announced a national display contest for retailers. “According to a new Sunkist-commissioned study, grapefruit buyers continue to be loyal to the variety, with 50% making repeat purchases multiple times per month,” said Cassie Howard, senior director of category management and marketing at Sunkist Growers, …

growing matters

BeSure! Campaign: Protecting Pollinators While Spraying

Daniel CooperBeSure!, Pollination

The BeSure! Campaign from the Growing Matters coalition helps growers protect bees and other wildlife.  Today we’re talking with Jeff Marvin, the senior director of research and development for PBI Gordon, who tells us more about the BeSure! Campaign and how applicators can help protect pollinators. Sponsored ContentA Simpler, Safer and More Effective Way to Fight HLBOctober 25, 20245 Facts …

pollinators

Growing Matters: BeSure! Campaign on Keeping Pollinators Safe

Daniel CooperBeSure!, Pollination

The BeSure! campaign from the Growing Matters Coalition helps growers protect bees and other wildlife. To learn more about pesticide safety for pollinators, we’re talking with Todd Hanson, Bayer product manager for corn seed treatments. About Growing Matters BeSure! Growing Matters is a coalition of organizations and individuals committed to scientific discourse on the stewardship, benefits and alternatives of neonicotinoid insecticides in North America. …

growing matters

Growing Matters: BeSure! Campaign on Keeping Treated Seeds Covered

Daniel CooperBeSure!, Seed

The BeSure! campaign from the Growing Matters Coalition helps growers protect bees and other wildlife. To learn more about what we can do, we’re talking with Nick Tinsley, seed treatment technical field representative with BASF, who says one important action is to keep treated seeds covered. About Growing Matters BeSure! Growing Matters is a coalition of organizations and individuals committed to scientific discourse on the …

SCFBA

Fruit and Vegetable Advisory Committee to Continue

Daniel CooperIndustry News Release

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA AMS) plans to renew the charter of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (FVIAC) for two years. The FVIAC’s current charter expires May 23. The purpose of the FVIAC is to examine the full spectrum of issues faced by the fruit and vegetable industry and suggest ways the USDA can …

Update on UF/IFAS Leadership

Tacy CalliesIndustry News Release

Robert Gilbert, who has served the past six months as University of Florida (UF) interim senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources, will serve in a full leadership role for at least another 18 months. Gilbert has served as University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research dean and interim senior vice president while Scott Angle …

Bud Advisories Help Growers Time Psyllid Sprays

Tacy CalliesIndustry News Release

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is reminding citrus growers that flower bud advisories are now being issued. The UF/IFAS advisories can help growers determine when to spray for HLB-spreading Asian citrus psyllids and when to stop spraying in an effort to protect pollinating bees. Tripti Vashisth, a UF/IFAS associate professor of horticultural sciences, will …

alico

Alico Citrus Production Declines 51%

Daniel Cooperfinancial, Industry News Release

Alico Citrus, a division of Alico, Inc., harvested less than half its citrus in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2023 as it did in the prior year. The decline was largely the result of impacts from Hurricane Ian in September 2022. Alico has approximately 49,000 citrus acres in seven Florida counties. The company reported on Dec. 6 that it …

HLB Treatment Approved in Florida

Josh McGillHLB Management, Industry News Release

Invaio Sciences in late August announced that its Trecise technology to deliver ArborBiotic for the suppression of HLB in oranges received approval from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The approval came under section 24(c) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act.    Invaio stated that the product’s closed-system design does not require drilling. Unlike conventional injection treatments, …

Grants Available to Growers for Energy Projects

Josh McGillAgriculture, Industry News Release

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for $1 billion in grants to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses invest in renewable energy systems and make energy-efficiency improvements. USDA is making the grants available under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), with funding from the Inflation Reduction Act. “Supporting renewable energy and energy-saving systems helps the people of …

Organic Juice Company Reports Earth-Friendly Practices

Josh McGillIndustry News Release, Organic

In celebration of Earth Day on April 22, Uncle Matt’s Organic described how it uses numerous environmentally friendly practices. The company said use of cover crops in its groves helps control weeds and promotes healthy soil. The complex root systems from the cover crops nurture robust biodiversity in the soil. This ecosystem provides water retention, nutrient availability and carbon capture. …

Citrus in the Home Landscape Initiative Launched

Josh McGillIndustry News Release, Varieties

After HLB disease was first found in Florida in 2005, many people were discouraged from growing citrus in their home landscapes. There were no citrus recommendations tailored for home gardeners in the HLB era. Now, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has responded to home gardeners who want to plant citrus trees again. Researchers are …

Celebrate Sunkist Citrus Day

Josh McGillCalifornia Corner, Industry News Release

Sunkist Growers is celebrating its 130th anniversary and California roots with Sunkist Citrus Day on March 1. In anticipation of the day, the fresh citrus cooperative discussed its history and products. Sunkist began in 1893, making it the longest-standing agricultural co-op in the United States. Sunkist’s first advertisement was published in Des Moines, Iowa, in March 1908 to promote the California …

Rectify Injection Available for HLB in Florida

Josh McGillHLB Management, Industry News Release, Pesticides

Rectify, AgroSource, Inc.’s 95% oxytetracycline hydrochloride-based tree-injection product, is expected to be available for use against HLB in Florida citrus as early as Feb. 24. The product will be available to growers through existing commercial agricultural product distributors. AgroSource petitioned and received a Special Local Needs (SLN) approval for Rectify by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) …