Global orange juice production for 2019-20 is estimated to slip 23 percent from last season, to 1.6 million tons, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service. Much of the blame falls on Brazil and Mexico, where fewer oranges are expected to be available for processing. Worldwide orange juice consumption is projected to be flat, though not down. …
Citrus Industry Magazine CEU 2020 Article #3
Understanding pesticide labeling By Amir Rezazadeh Editor’s note: This article grants one continuing education unit (CEU) in the Core category toward the renewal of a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services restricted-use pesticide license when the accompanying test is submitted and approved. The pesticide label is more than just a piece of paper. It is a legal document recognized …
Citrus Salesperson Kay Hiatt Remembered
Kiyo Ueda Hiatt, 94, died July 11 at Treasure Coast Hospice – Harper House in Stuart, Florida. She began working more than 50 years ago at Deerfield Groves in Florida. Hiatt worked in sales in the citrus industry and served on several Florida Department of Citrus subcommittees. She was a pioneer for women in the Florida citrus industry. Kay, as …
Citrus Represented on Federal Marketing Panel
George Hamner says he intends to represent Florida citrus and “to also advocate for any Florida agricultural produce that I can” as a recent appointee to a federal marketing advisory committee. Hamner, of Indian River Exchange Packers, Inc., is one of 24 members of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee for 2020-22. “The committee’s …
Citrus Expo: New Format for Educational Sessions
While coronavirus will prevent the citrus industry from gathering this year at Citrus Expo, it will not stop growers from getting the education they need. The 2020 Citrus Expo educational program will be held live online Aug. 19–20 and will include door prizes. If you’re lucky, you could walk away with one of four $200 Bass Pro gift cards! The …
FFVA Seeking Young Leaders
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 …
Florida Grapefruit Decline in Final Forecast
The U.S. Department of Agriculture released the final citrus crop forecast of the 2019-20 season on July 10. The only monthly change in Florida was in the grapefruit crop, which dipped slightly. Here’s a summary of the season’s production by variety and state: ORANGESThe Florida all-orange forecast remained unchanged at 67.65 million boxes, but is down 6 percent from last …
International Efforts to Market Florida Citrus
Samantha Lane, Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) director of global marketing, recently discussed international marketing highlights for Florida citrus products during the 2019-20 season. CANADAIn Canada, highlights included fresh Florida orange programs with juicing demos in Ontario grocery stores. The programs resulted in a sales increase. Issues management work took place to educate registered dietitians on the health benefits of …
Who Needs Grower Compliance Agreements?
Several growers recently asked the Highlands County Citrus Growers Association (HCCGA) if they need to sign a Grower/Caretaker Compliance Agreement (CA) they received from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). HCCGA Executive Director Ray Royce’s answer is essentially yes. He says state law requires all citrus growers and caretakers of 40 or more trees to sign a …
Preliminary 2020-21 Budget Approved for FDOC
On June 17, the Florida Citrus Commission approved a preliminary 2020-21 operating budget for the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) of nearly $20 million. The FDOC’s total preliminary budget is $19.875 million with an overall budget increase over the previous season of about $4.2 million, largely due to an increase in general revenue funds. The budget includes an anticipated $5.65 million …
Bill Aims to Prohibit Citrus Imports From China
Florida Congressman Greg Steube on June 11 introduced the U.S. Citrus Protection Act, legislation that would prohibit the importation of commercially produced fresh citrus fruit from China. “As farmers and ranchers in Florida and across the country are struggling to cope with the decreased demand for their products as a result of the economic shutdowns, more than ever we need to put …
June Citrus Forecast Sees Florida Oranges Fall
The U.S. Department of Agriculture released an update to the 2019–20 citrus crop forecast on June 11. ORANGESThe Florida all-orange forecast is 67.65 million boxes, down from May’s 69.65 million boxes. The forecast for Florida non-Valencia orange production remains at 29.65 million boxes. Florida Valencia oranges fell 5 percent to 38 million boxes. The California all-orange forecast is 48.5 million …
More Mexican Fruit Flies Found in Texas Citrus
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) established a Mexican fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens or Mexfly) quarantine in a residential area in Zapata, Texas. APHIS is applying safeguarding measures and restrictions on the interstate movement or entry into foreign trade of regulated articles from this area. APHIS confirmed one Mexfly larva from …
California Citrus and Chinese Tariff Exemptions
The latest development in the Chinese market came as welcome news for the California citrus industry, as China moved to implement tariff exemptions. California Citrus Mutual President Casey Creamer explained that the tariff reduction is coming at an important time for the industry. “It’s probably the break we’ve been looking for when it comes to citrus movement to China,” Creamer …
Busy Hurricane Season Projected by NOAA
An above-normal 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is expected, according to forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service. An above-average Atlantic hurricane season was also predicted more than a month earlier by both Colorado State University (CSU) hurricane researchers and AccuWeather. See those predictions. The NOAA outlook predicts a …
Control Phytophthora in Citrus Crops
One of the most damaging pathogens for citrus crops continues to be Phytophthora, a soilborne pathogen that attacks the root systems and affects the entire citrus tree. As the pathogen degrades the tree’s root system, above ground symptoms such as slowed growth, chlorotic foliage and reduced fruit size intensify. Eventually, this may result in the death of the tree. Phytophthora can appear …
Citrus Expo and Coronavirus: Input Wanted
As of May 20, Citrus Expo and Vegetable & Specialty Crop Expo are still scheduled for Aug. 12–13 at the Lee Civic Center in North Fort Myers, Florida. But as you can imagine, there are a few “ifs” involved amid the coronavirus pandemic. They include: 1) if everyone attending Expo can do so safely and 2) if Florida’s governor, local …
China Import Concerns Addressed
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler of Georgia have responded to citrus industry concerns about China being allowed to ship fresh citrus to the United States. Representatives of the Florida and Georgia citrus industries objected when the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in April announced it would allow the imports. Industry concerns focused on the …
Irrigation Scheduling Methods Affect Water Use
By Sandra M. Guzman and Rhuanito S. Ferrarezi Irrigation scheduling has been one of the most important management practices to improve crop production. For citrus, there are multiple options to schedule irrigation, including evapotranspiration-, plant- and soil-based methods. These methods can provide different water requirement estimates based on environmental variables, plant uptake or water content in the soil. Although each …
Control Phytophthora in Citrus Crops
One of the most damaging pathogens for citrus crops continues to be Phytophthora, a soilborne pathogen that attacks the root systems and affects the entire citrus tree. As the pathogen degrades the tree’s root system, above ground symptoms such as slowed growth, chlorotic foliage and reduced fruit size intensify. Eventually, this may result in the death of the tree. Phytophthora can appear …