Citrus in the cold-hardy region of South Georgia, South Alabama and North Florida encountered below-freezing temperatures and historic snowfall all week. Growers are now taking stock of their groves, surveying damage and preparing for what to do next, which includes managing phytophthora. “Most all of the crop was in, so there was very little exposure there. There’s a little bit …
Update on Korea’s Citrus Production
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) recently forecast that Korea’s tangerine/mandarin production will decline 2.6% in marketing year 2024–25, to 565,000 metric tons (MT). Korea doesn’t produce oranges or grapefruit and only a small crop of lemons — an estimated 550 MT on 35 hectares in 2023. LOW FORECAST The tangerine/mandarin forecast, if realized, would be the …
Citrus Achievement Award Celebrates 25 Years
For a quarter of a century, the Citrus Achievement Award has grown into the gold standard of industry recognition for those who have made and continue to make a significant impact within and even beyond the Florida citrus community. The Citrus Achievement Award is presented to an individual grower, allied member, legislator, researcher or anyone else who stands out through …
Indian River State College Students Help Decode Asian Citrus Psyllid Genome
A groundbreaking research collaboration led, in part, by Indian River State College Professor Tom D’Elia, has resulted in the successful annotation of the Asian citrus psyllid genome. This marks a significant advancement in the fight against citrus greening disease. The research, published in GigaScience, represents an achievement in both scientific discovery and undergraduate education, featuring 28 Indian River State College …
Farm Labor Addressed at Florida Citrus Show
Labor is a perennial issue specialty crop growers must continue to deal with. Many growers in the Southeast have turned to the H-2A temporary agricultural visa program to source labor that is required on their farms. While the program has its challenges, it has become vital in securing production and harvest of specialty crops. Jamie Fussell, director of labor relations …
Florida Citrus Commission Actions and HLB
Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) Chairman Steve Johnson recently discussed HLB and several actions and reports from the commission’s December 2024 meeting. The FCC is the governing board of the Florida Department of Citrus. “For almost two decades, we’ve been in a season of fighting HLB, and that fight (while the war is far from over) is changing,” Johnson said. “The tools …
CITRUS NURSERY SOURCE: Citrus Researchers Coming Together
By Peter Chaires Florida’s citrus industry is well supported by two phenomenal research institutions: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS). UF/IFAS provides research and Extension support from its main campus in Gainesville, as well as from its research and education centers and county Extension offices across the state. …
Freeze Protection Needed Next Week for Cold-Hardy Citrus
January temperatures have been low for cold-hardy citrus growers. They are about to get lower, however, beginning early next week. GEORGIAAccording to weather.com, low temperatures in Tifton, Georgia, are forecast to drop into the high 20s, Sunday through Wednesday, with high temperatures only reaching the mid-30s on Tuesday and Wednesday. Similar weather conditions are expected across the region, so growers …
Research Paves Way to Enhance Citrus Nutritional Value
Scientists have decoded the intricate metabolic profiles of citrus fruits, shedding light on the phenylpropanoid pathway. The pathway is a critical biosynthetic route for flavonoids and other phytonutrients known for their health benefits. By revealing the genetic mechanisms underlying these compounds, the research offers an approach to enhancing the nutritional value of citrus through innovative breeding and genetic improvement strategies. …
Network With Peers at The Florida Citrus Show
The Florida Citrus Show is a day packed full of educational opportunities. It includes a morning general session focused on big-picture topics that impact specialty crop growers as well as afternoon breakout seminars for citrus and vegetable producers. In addition, the event provides a great opportunity for growers to interact with fellow farmers and industry stakeholders, which is an equally …
Citrus Greening, Production and Plantings in Brazil
The recent U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) annual report on Brazilian citrus included updates on citrus greening disease, production and planted area. CITRUS GREENING The report noted that new chemicals and practices have been developed to fight citrus greening, a major cause of recent production declines. Those chemicals and practices include a natural repellent called caryophyllene, …
Florida Citrus Decline: Frustrations and Solutions
A recent Florida TaxWatch report detailed the reasons for the decline of the Florida citrus industry. The report also described frustrations with efforts to combat citrus greening and suggested solutions for the industry’s decline. Edited excerpts from that portion of the report follow: Prominent citrus growers stated they are still optimistic about the future as many citrus entities are investing …
War Impacts Israeli Citrus Industry
A December U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) report on Israeli citrus discusses the impacts of the Israel-Hamas war on the country’s citrus industry. Since Oct. 7, 2023, the effects from the war on the citrus industry have become clearer. As such, USDA FAS has revised much of its marketing year (MY) 2023–24 (October–September) data to represent updates …
Changes in U.S. Citrus Forecast
The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Services (USDA/NASS) released a citrus forecast on Jan. 10. FLORIDA Florida orange and grapefruit production expectations were unchanged from the December citrus forecast. The Florida orange forecast remains at 12 million boxes and grapefruit at 1.2 million boxes. Florida non-Valencia orange final fruit size is smaller than the average, requiring 327 pieces …
Experimental Citrus Tree Kills Young Psyllids
Scientists at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) are testing a new type of citrus tree that can fight off the HLB-spreading Asian citrus psyllid (ACP). The genetically modified tree has only been tested in the lab and the greenhouse but is very promising as a potential solution to HLB. The approach involves inserting a …
International Project Arms Citrus Industry Against HLB
Australia’s New South Wales (NSW) Government has partnered with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research and Hort Innovation to prepare the citrus industry against huanglongbing (HLB). Although widespread in Asia and found in North and South America, HLB is not known to be present in Australia. The psyllid that spreads HLB is also absent from Australia. A collaborative research …
Registration Is Open for the Florida Citrus Show
The Florida Citrus Show is scheduled for Thursday, March 13, 2025. The event will be held at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Indian River Research and Education Center and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory in Fort Pierce. The Florida Citrus Show combines educational seminars for both …
Florida Citrus Decline Detailed
A December Florida TaxWatch report, The Continuing Decline of Florida’s Citrus Industry, highlights the causes of the industry’s demise in recent decades. Edited excerpts follow: In the last 20 years, Florida’s total citrus production has decreased by more than 90%, from around 300 million boxes in 2003–04 to just 20 million boxes in 2023–24. The 2022–23 season was the worst …
Alico Citrus to Cease Operations After This Season
Large Florida citrus grower Alico Citrus will cease operations after the current season’s harvest, parent company Alico, Inc. announced Jan. 6. The company cited increasing financial challenges from citrus greening disease and “environmental factors.” Alico owns approximately 53,371 acres of land across eight counties in Florida, as well as approximately 48,700 acres of oil, gas and mineral rights in the …
California Citrus Growers Eligible for Healthy Soils Funding
California Farm Bureau’s California Bountiful Foundation announced that citrus growers may apply for Healthy Soils Program (HSP) block grant funds from Jan. 20–31, 2025. Approximately $278,000 in grant funding is available for two to five new projects. The funding is available only to citrus growers who did not receive funding in the first HSP round, from other HSP programs or …