Lessons From Hurricane Ian Will Help Growers

Josh McGill hurricane, Survey

Researchers will assess 20 to 30 Florida citrus groves impacted by 2022’s Hurricane Ian to learn lessons that will help growers in the future. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers Christopher Vincent and Tripti Vashisth and their teams will conduct the assessment. The research will be funded by a $280,000, one-year grant from the U.S. …

Tropical Storm Option Added to Hurricane Insurance

Josh McGill hurricane, Insurance

After hearing directly from agricultural producers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expanding its Hurricane Insurance Protection-Wind Index (HIP-WI) Endorsement with a Tropical Storm Option. USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) will offer this option for the 2023 crop year. “During the past few years, many farmers have felt the impacts of tropical activity, and it’s important that we offer …

Post-hurricane Expectations for Foliar Diseases and Phytophthora

Josh McGill Diseases, hurricane

By Megan Dewdney For foliar diseases, 2022 started off easily with limited outbreaks in Florida because the spring was dryer than average. The same La Niña weather pattern responsible for the dry conditions of the last two springs is predicted to occur again this winter into early spring. The weather pattern is then predicted to become a neutral pattern with …

Legislation Introduced in Hurricane Relief Effort

Josh McGill hurricane, Legislative

Rep. Scott Franklin (FL-18), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) and Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) introduced the Block Grant Assistance Act of 2023, a critical bill to ensure the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) can provide needed relief to agriculture producers devastated by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. This bill will provide the agriculture secretary needed authority to provide block grants to …

Hurricanes Complicate Citrus Flowering

Josh McGill All In For Citrus Podcast, hurricane

In the latest episode of the All In For Citrus podcast, Tripti Vashisth discusses the citrus flower bud advisory system. The service is provided by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). The advisories on flowering generally start before Thanksgiving and run through the end of February or early March. “The goal of the flower bud …

Hurricane Aid Sought for Florida Citrus Industry

Josh McGill hurricane

The Florida citrus industry has an urgent need for disaster aid in the wake of Hurricanes Ian and Nicole, 17 members of Florida’s congressional delegation advised the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations.  In a Dec. 8 letter, the U.S. representatives stated that Hurricane Ian impacts caused an estimated $675.5 million in preliminary damages to the industry. They reported that damage …

CUPS Weather Hurricane Ian Well

Josh McGill CUPS, hurricane

In the search for ways to survive citrus greening, some growers have chosen the citrus under protective screen (CUPS) system as their solution. While CUPS can be costly to construct, it has proven to effectively prevent the deadly disease. But some have asked if the structures would hold up in extreme weather and adequately protect the trees. Hurricane Ian helped …

Studying Tree Damage From Hurricane Winds

Josh McGill All In For Citrus Podcast, hurricane

In the latest All In For Citrus podcast, Christopher Vincent, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professor of tree ecophysiology, discussed a project he is working on in the wake of this season’s hurricanes. He has been tasked to work with growers to survey damage after the storms, specifically how winds harmed groves. Hurricane Ian …

Fertilizer Exemption Issued Due to Hurricane Ian

Josh McGill BMPs, Florida, Regulation

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) recently issued an emergency rule allowing growers enrolled in best management practices (BMP) programs to apply replacement fertilizer to reestablish crops impacted by Hurricane Ian. Under the rule, producers can make those applications without fear of being out of compliance with their respective BMP manuals. The emergency rule will be in …

Gibberellic Acid May Help Citrus Trees After a Hurricane

Josh McGill All In For Citrus Podcast, hurricane

In the latest episode of the All In For Citrus podcast, ways to mitigate damage from Hurricane Ian are discussed by researchers from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). While extensively damaged trees are likely lost, those that experienced less damage can be helped in the recovery process. Tripti Vashisth, UF/IFAS associate professor of horticultural …

Post-Hurricane Weed Management

Josh McGill Tip of the Week, weeds

By Ramdas Kanissery Hurricanes and the associated flooding will impact weed management in the affected season and the following years. Weeds should be effectively managed after these severe weather events as weeds may take advantage of the reduced competitiveness of recovering trees. INTENSIFY SCOUTINGA critical step in weed management after hurricanes is to scout groves and note the emergence of …

Florida Citrus Industry Dodges Bullet With Hurricane Nicole

Josh McGill hurricane

When Hurricane Nicole formed off Florida’s east coast, citrus growers held their collective breath after the beating they took in late September from Hurricane Ian. Nicole made landfall just south of Vero Beach on Nov. 10. Winds near hurricane strength were recorded at multiple weather stations as Nicole came ashore, including 75 miles per hour (mph) in Port St. John and …

Post-Hurricane Disease Management Advice

Josh McGill All In For Citrus Podcast, Diseases

Megan Dewdney, associate professor of plant pathology with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), joined the October All In For Citrus podcast to discuss Hurricane Ian and tips on disease management after the storm. Hurricanes weaken citrus trees and spread disease.  “If a tree has a full canopy, the wind will put a lot of …

Hurricane Ian Citrus Damages Could Hit $675 Million

Josh McGill Economics, hurricane

Total Florida citrus crop and tree losses from Hurricane Ian are estimated to be from $417 million to $675 million by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). FDACS’ Hurricane Ian’s Preliminary Estimates of Damage to Florida Agriculture report echoed a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) preliminary assessment of $147 million to $304 …

Controlling Pest Pressure Post-Hurricane

Josh McGill hurricane, Pests

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) multi-county citrus Extension agent Ajia Paolillo summarized suggestions for controlling pest pressure after Hurricane Ian in a recent Extension newsletter. Along with horticultural practices and disease control, growers should be monitoring for pests in their groves post-hurricane. UF/IFAS entomologist Lauren Diepenbrock provided some suggested practices for keeping pest pressure as …

Phytophthora Treatments for Hurricane-Damaged Groves

Josh McGill Diseases, hurricane, Tip of the Week

By Megan Dewdney A priority for the Florida citrus industry is evaluating groves for damage and determining the best course of action going forward after the destruction of Hurricane Ian. One of the many considerations is the effect of flooding on root health, particularly if standing water has remained longer than 72 hours. The main diseases are phytophthora foot, crown …

Preliminary Assessment of Hurricane Ian Citrus Loss

Josh McGill Economics, hurricane

Florida citrus likely suffered production losses ranging from $147 million to $304 million due to Hurricane Ian, according to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). The preliminary assessment was issued Oct. 17 by the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department. “This estimate only accounts for production losses, or changes in expected revenues for the current …

Agriculture Included in Hurricane Funding Request

Josh McGill hurricane

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida released details of his request for a $33 billion major disaster supplemental spending measure. Rubio’s Hurricane Ian emergency supplemental appropriations requests include $2.955 billion for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA funding includes $2 billion for the Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program to cover agricultural costs from loss of crops, trees, bushes …

H-2A Flexibilities Offered After Hurricane Ian

Josh McGill hurricane, Labor, Regulation

The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Foreign Labor Certification has provided Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) with general guidance regarding additional flexibilities for H-2A employers impacted by Hurricane Ian. Most Florida citrus is harvested by temporary H-2A workers. Following is a summary of the DOL answers to four questions about H-2A employer flexibilities due to the hurricane’s …