Muhmmad Shahid and Shahid Iqbal recently provided advice on planting cold-hardy citrus in Florida. Shahid is an assistant professor of horticulture/fruit physiologist, and Iqbal is a postdoctoral scholar in horticultural sciences, both at the University of Florida North Florida Research and Education Center. Edited excerpts from their article in the Cold Hardy Citrus Connection follow: BEFORE YOU PLANT Properly planting …
Evolving Research Priorities for Florida Citrus
Last week, growers convened in Avon Park for the annual Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute. The daylong seminar program provides updates on the latest research in the fight against HLB and other production issues facing growers. Rick Dantzler, chief operating officer of the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF), presented an update on the organization’s research priorities. He noted that CRDF …
Florida OJ Has Solid Share of Consumers
A significant portion of consumers are drawn to Florida orange juice (OJ) despite recent economic setbacks, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) study shows. “There is an intrinsic value that consumers have for Florida orange juice. When they think of Florida, orange juice is often part of the imagery,” said Marisa Zansler, director of economic …
April Citrus Forecast: Florida Down, Other States Up
The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA NASS) issued a citrus forecast update on April 11. Florida production decreased while other states saw gains. FLORIDA The forecast for all Florida oranges dropped 5% from 19.8 million boxes in the March forecast to 18.8 million boxes in April. The entire 1 million box reduction was in the late-season …
Florida Legislators Support Agriculture
The 2024 Florida legislative session wrapped up last month, and the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) believes it is very clear that state legislators support the agriculture industry. The association expressed appreciation for Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and the Florida Legislature for championing legislation that sought meaningful solutions to some of the challenges facing the industry. BENEFICIAL BILLS …
Nominations Needed for Florida’s Citrus Administrative Committee
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominees for 10 grower members and 10 alternate members for the Citrus Administrative Committee (CAC). The committee is also accepting nominations for a public member and public alternate. Nominations will be accepted through April 16. Voting will take place April 23 at a nomination meeting via Zoom. The CAC administers a federal …
Exhibitors Support Growers at Florida Citrus Show
More than 50 exhibitors participated in AgNet Media’s Florida Citrus Show on April 3 in Fort Pierce. The event took place at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Indian River Research and Education Center and the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory. The vendors showed their support for the state’s citrus and …
Don’t Miss the Florida Citrus Show!
By Robin Koestoyo University of Florida citrus and vegetable researchers will present their latest scientific findings at the 78th Florida Citrus Show on April 3. A lineup of educational seminars will build on the show’s extraordinarily successful 77th show, organized by AgNet Media, an agricultural news communications leader. This year’s event will feature a tailgate-style trade show that includes breakfast …
What to Know Before You Go to the Florida Citrus Show
We are excited to kick off the Florida Citrus Show tomorrow! Here are some things you need to know before you go: Show Address The Florida Citrus Show will be held in the parking lot between the UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center (2199 South Rock Road) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Horticultural Research …
Florida Citrus Acreage Still Tops in United States
As part of its recently published Florida Citrus Statistics 2022–23, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) reported Florida’s citrus acreage at 332,256 acres, down 11% from the prior season. The net loss of 43,046 acres was 11,000 acres more than was lost the previous season. New plantings at 6,203 acres were down from the previous season. All …
Summary of the 2022–23 Florida Citrus Season
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) summarized Florida citrus production, value and exports last season in its new Florida Citrus Statistics 2022–23 report. PRODUCTION Florida’s total citrus production in 2022–23 was 18.1 million boxes, down 60% from the previous season’s 45.3 million boxes. Florida’s orange production, at 15.8 million boxes, was down 62% from the previous season. …
Last Chance to Preregister for the Florida Citrus Show!
The final opportunity to preregister for the Florida Citrus Show is March 29 before noon. Don’t miss this AgNet Media event that offers lots of learning along with great food and fellowship in Fort Pierce! The show will kick off with a hot breakfast at 8:00 a.m. Visit with exhibitors in the trade show area before the general session begins …
Register for the 2024 Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute
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 …
Preview of the Tailgate Treats at the Florida Citrus Show
The Florida Citrus Show is right around the corner, and exhibitors are getting fired up for the tailgate competition. Take a look at what some of the vendors are planning to serve to attendees on April 3. Visit the vendors to try their delicious tailgate dishes. Growers who vote for their favorite dish will be entered into a drawing to …
Florida Budget Includes $47 Million for Citrus
Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM) recently reported that the Florida Legislature’s fiscal year 2024–25 budget includes $47 million to aid the state’s citrus industry. The funding for various programs is: Additionally, the Florida Legislature’s budget includes a $100 million annual appropriation for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, which aims to protect working agricultural operations from development by establishing conservation easements. …
Visit the Vegetable Learning Stations at the Florida Citrus Show
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: …
Florida Citrus Show – Seminar
HomeAttendSeminarsHotelExhibitSponsor2024 Seminar ProgramWednesday, April 3, 2024General Session- Indian River Research and Education Center Auditorium 8:45 a.m. Welcome Frank Giles, AgNet Media, Scott Adkins, USDA Ron Cave, UF/IFAS 9:00 a.m. Federal Agriculture Priorities in 2024 Mike Joyner, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association 9:30 a.m. TBA 10:00 a.m. 4Roots Farm’s Reverse Demand Program Driving the Buy Local Movement Tommy Ward, 4Roots Farm …
Continued Commitment to Florida Ag
By J. Scott Angle, jangle@ufl.edu When I arrived in Florida three and a half years ago to lead the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), my message to Farm Bureau members was, “I work for you.” I still do, but no longer as UF’s senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources. I’ve become provost, the …
Florida Citrus Land Sales and Prices
The recent Lay of the Land Florida 2023 Market Report from SVN Saunders Ralston Dantzler Real Estate highlighted 40 citrus grove sales in 12 Central Florida counties last year. The average sales price of $11,141 per net tree acre was up 3% from the prior year. The average gross acre sales price was $9,284, up 7%. The highlighted grove sales …
Scheuerer Crowned Miss Florida Citrus
Alana Scheuerer was crowned the 2024 Miss Florida Citrus on March 2 in Winter Haven. She was chosen during the Miss Florida Citrus and Miss Winter Haven Program at Nora Mayo Hall in Winter Haven. The event was the program’s 100th anniversary. Scheuerer, 26, of Coral Springs, has a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management and tourism and a master’s degree …