Alico Announces New Directors and Agreement with Barron Collier

Ernie NeffIndustry News Release

Alico, Inc. in July entered into a long-term agreement to provide citrus grove management services, including harvest and haul responsibilities, to Barron Collier Companies. Alico also announced the additions of Kate English and Adam Putnam to its board of directors. Alico will manage citrus operations for approximately 7,000 acres of Barron Collier groves in Collier and Hendry counties, in exchange …

First CLas-Positive ACP Found in California Grove

Len WilcoxCalifornia Corner, Industry News Release, Psyllids

An Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) sample has been confirmed positive for Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), the bacteria that causes huanglongbing (HLB). The sample was collected from a commercial citrus grove in the Woodcrest area of Riverside County. Confirmed by Citrus Research Board’s Jerry Dimitman Laboratory, this single adult psyllid is the first CLas-positive ACP found in a commercial citrus grove …

Where to Send Unsolicited Seed Packets

Tacy CalliesIndustry News Release

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has expanded the list of locations where the public can send unsolicited seed packets. Options for submitting reports online to APHIS or the state departments of agriculture have also been added. APHIS urges anyone who receives an unsolicited package of seeds to submit an online report and …

Duda Selling Imported Citrus

Ernie NeffIndustry News Release

Duda Farm Fresh Foods has launched its 18th consecutive import citrus program. Through October, it will import citrus to the United Sates from the Southern Hemisphere. The imported citrus will be sold under the Dandy label and will include clementines, lemons, navels, and Cara Cara oranges. According to Duda Farm Fresh Foods, the easy-peel clementines have good color and sugar-to-acid …

FFVA Seeking Young Leaders

Ernie NeffIndustry News Release

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) is accepting applications for Class 10 of its Emerging Leader Development Program. The submission deadline is Sept. 1. Launched in 2011, the program develops leaders to be strong advocates for Florida agriculture. Nearly 100 participants have graduated from the program. Ultimately, graduates of the class can get involved to strengthen the future of …

New University of Florida Economist in Immokalee

Tacy CalliesEconomics, Industry News Release

Morgan graduated from the University of Florida three times. She earned a bachelor’s degree in animal sciences and then master’s and doctoral degrees in food and resource economics, all from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Mostly recently, she began her position as associate professor of food and resource …

Certis USA Continues Citrus Research Support

Tacy CalliesCRDF, Industry News Release, Research

For the fourth consecutive year, Certis USA has donated $20,000 to the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) to help fund the non-profit’s research aimed at finding a cure for huanglongbing (HLB; citrus greening). The company’s successful “Certis for Citrus” program utilizes sales from their top citrus products to annually support CRDF’s mission. The donation came during CRDF’s board meeting …

Fresh Fruit Packers Announce Partnership

Ernie NeffFresh, Industry News Release

Florida Classic Growers (FCG) announced a partnership with Riverfront Packing Company, LLC; The Packers of Indian River, Inc. and Quality Fruit Packers, Inc. The additional citrus volume from the partnering companies will expand product offerings and increase distribution to FCG’s customers marketed under the Florida Classic label. Riverfront and its marketing arm, Scott Marketing, Inc., will continue handling all sales …

Citrus Professor Awarded by UF/IFAS Extension Peers

Tacy CalliesAwards, Industry News Release

Water is essential to citrus growers. They scrutinize the amount available, its quality and when and how they should use it to grow their trees and sustain their livelihood. Soil and water sciences assistant professor Davie Kadyampakeni works tirelessly with Florida citrus growers to ensure that they have access to the most current research in water use and soil nutrient …

How Growers Can Protect Pollinators

Ernie NeffEnvironment, Industry News Release

Florida’s U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA/NRCS) recently recognized pollinators and the growers who create and maintain their habitat. “Pollinators, such as honeybees, bumblebees, butterflies, birds, bats, flies and many others, play a critical role in crop production,” Florida’s USDA/NRCS stated in a media release. The recognition came as National Pollinator Week, June 22-28, approaches. The week …

Gulf Citrus Growers Association

Gulf Citrus Growers Association Elects Leaders

Ernie NeffGulf, Industry News Release

Ron Mahan of Tamiami Citrus, LLC has been elected president of the Gulf Citrus Growers Association (GCGA) for 2020-21. Other officers are Vice President Danny Sutton of Alico, Inc., Secretary Wayne Simmons of LaBelle Fruit Co., LLC and Treasurer Rob Atchley of A. Duda & Sons, Inc. The elections were held during the association’s 34th annual meeting on June 3. …

UF/IFAS Extension Agents Team Up to Better Serve Citrus Growers

Tacy Calliesextension, Industry News Release

Florida’s citrus growers have long benefited from productive relationships with University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension commercial citrus agents. And it’s about to get better. Citrus agents operating in Hillsborough, Polk, Highlands, DeSoto, Hardee and Manatee counties are launching a new newsletter. They hope to use the platform to streamline important communications with growers, share …

Southern Hemisphere Citrus Crop Forecast

Ernie NeffForecast, Industry News Release

A preliminary forecast for the Southern Hemisphere citrus season shows an expected small production decrease but an increase in exports. The first crop production and export forecast for the 2020 season was released by the World Citrus Organisation (WCO) on May 29. The preliminary forecast is collected from industry associations in Argentina, Australia, Chile, Peru, South Africa and Uruguay. The …

Florida May Make $28.5M Land Purchase From Alico

Ernie NeffIndustry News Release

The state of Florida has approved entering into an agreement that grants it an option to purchase approximately 10,684 acres of Alico Ranch for approximately $28.5 million. The transaction would occur under the Florida Forever program. John Kiernan, Alico’s president and chief executive officer, said the property is on the west side of the Alico Ranch. “If exercised, we expect …

Reduce Fruit Drop, Increase Yield

Tacy CalliesIndustry News Release, Production, Research

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus scientists Tripti Vashisth and Fernando Alferez are trying to reduce the amount of fruit drop from Hamlin and Valencia trees prior to harvest. If fruit drops, growers can’t harvest it, and that leads to losses for farmers and less fruit at the market for consumers. Normally, about 10 to …

Growers Help Wetlands Thrive

Ernie NeffIndustry News Release, Water

May is American Wetlands Month. Farmers, growers, ranchers and private landowners in Florida have worked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to create, restore and enhance wetlands for decades. They have incorporated wetlands into their operations for benefits to the environment and their land. To help realize these benefits they have worked with USDA …

UF/IFAS Welcomes New Entomologist

Tacy CalliesCitrus, Industry News Release, IPM

In mid-April, Tolulope Morawo began a new position as an assistant professor of entomology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC) in Fort Pierce. He joins UF’s statewide effort to protect crops and natural environments with integrated pest management (IPM) strategy. In 2017, Morawo completed his doctorate degree …

Alico: Citrus Price Improvement Could Be Coming

Ernie NeffEconomics, Industry News Release

Alico, Inc., one of Florida’s largest citrus producers, announced financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2020 and the six-month period ending March 31. Some highlights regarding the company’s citrus operation follow. For the six-months ending March 31, Alico Citrus harvested approximately 5.61 million boxes of fruit, an increase of 23.3 percent from the same period a year …

Uncle Matt’s Organic Returns to Founder

Ernie NeffIndustry News Release, Organic

Uncle Matt’s Organic, a brand of organic orange juice and grapefruit juice, recently reported it “has been welcomed back home to founder and CEO Matt McLean.” Dean Foods purchased the business in June of 2017 “and retained the team to continue running the business, including McLean and his wife, Susan McLean, who oversees marketing,” states a May 11 release. “In …

psyllids

Citrus Scientist Succeeds at Working From Home

Tacy CalliesIndustry News Release, Research

University of Florida scientist Christopher Vincent is used to working with the unknown to learn new grove management practices. As a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences plant physiologist, Vincent works to discover how citrus trees can thrive under stressful conditions. Now, during the coronavirus stay-at-home recommendations, he’s applying those skills in a whole new experience — …