CRAFT program

Update on Florida’s CRAFT Program

Daniel CooperCRAFT, Florida Department of Citrus

Florida’s Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) board of directors recently approved a slate of Cycle 5 solid set Program for Expedited Propagation (PEP) projects following recommendations from the Technical Working Group. Eleven projects totaling 455 acres were approved. Projects will focus on comparisons of five scions (Parson Brown, Roble, Carney 2, Carney 3 and Donaldson) on the same rootstock. …

Put Research Results to Work

Morgan ColeEvents, FCS24

At the Florida Citrus Show, growers will learn the latest research results that they can put to work in their groves. Doug Bournique, executive vice president of the Indian River Citrus League, encourages growers to attend the event to hear research straight from the source. The Florida Citrus Show is hosted at the University of Florida Institute of Food and …

PIECES OF THE PAST: Celebrating a Special Centennial

Tacy CalliesMiss Florida Citrus, Pieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette One hundred years ago, in February of 1924, a young woman named Dorothy Williamson was chosen as Florida’s first Citrus Queen. Since that time, numerous young women have vied for the title and have promoted the Florida citrus industry throughout the world. To celebrate the centennial, the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame has interviewed many of …

CRDF Off to a Busy Start in 2024

Tacy CalliesCRDF, HLB Management, Pest Management

The Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) kicked off the new year with a full agenda for its monthly board meeting. New members were welcomed to the board. Growers Matt Machata, Sarah Spinosa and Trevor Murphy joined the group. On the research front, the board funded continued work by Ping Duan, a plant pathologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. …

citrus greening

New Light Shed on HLB and Fertilization

Tacy CalliesHLB Management, Nutrition

The effort to help huanglongbing (HLB)-impacted citrus trees has taken another step forward. A University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) study examined the relationship between fertilization, root health and fruit yield. Researchers focused on Valencia orange trees with HLB. Associate Professor Davie Kadyampakeni led the effort at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center. The study, …

Citrus Congress

Australia Is Key Market for U.S. Fresh Fruit

Tacy CalliesExport/Import, International, Trade

Australia is a crucial market for U.S. citrus and other fresh fruits, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS). A recent report from the agency says the United States has benefited from a well-established reputation for producing safe, quality fruit. The report suggests ways U.S. fruit exporters can access the Australian market.   Demand for …

Sneak Peek: February 2024 Citrus Industry

Tacy CalliesHLB Management, Sneak Peek

The February issue of Citrus Industry magazine takes a look at efforts to combat HLB. Some strategies are already available for growers to implement in their groves, while others offer hope for long-term solutions. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) recently launched a new Crop Transformation Center. The goal of the center is to use …

Taking Available Tools to the Grove

Tacy CalliesHLB Management

The quest for long-term solutions to HLB is well underway. Technology like CRISPR is being developed to introduce tolerance or resistance to HLB. Conventional breeding also is seeking rootstocks and varieties that can resist the disease. In the meantime, growers are reminded to utilize available tools that help trees remain productive in an HLB environment. During the August Citrus & …

Good Times, Good Food, Great Company

Morgan ColeEvents

Get ready to tailgate at the Florida Citrus Show! This one-of-a-kind event is returning to the Treasure Coast on April 3. In between seminar sessions, the trade show will become a tailgate party that you won’t want to miss. The day will kick off with breakfast and coffee in the tailgate hub. Attendees will have the opportunity to walk the …

Florida Citrus Industry Survey Reflects Industry Optimism

Tacy CalliesFlorida, Survey

By Frank Giles Last year’s citrus season was marred by continuing production declines from HLB and hurricanes. The combined effect of both dropped the final all-orange output to 15.8 million boxes. Certainly, the numbers reflected the dire situation the industry found itself in after the storms. But after last year’s harvest, growers were given clearance to utilize new trunk-injection therapies …

wage freeze

Legislators Seek H-2A Wage Freeze

Daniel Cooperfinancial, Labor, Legislative

Seventy-five U.S. House of Representatives members have asked House and Senate appropriations leaders for an H-2A visa guestworker wage freeze in an upcoming spending package. The text of the representatives’ letter to appropriations leaders follows: “We write with shared concerns regarding the annual adjustment to the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR). Now in 2024, the H-2A labor rates paid by …

weed management

Brassinosteroid and Weed Management Research Updated

Daniel CooperHLB Management, weeds

Brassinosteroids for HLB-infected trees and the latest on year-round weed management were discussed at a Jan. 17 OJ Break at the Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred, Florida. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) multi-county citrus Extension agent Chris Oswalt hosted the event. UF/IFAS assistant professors Fernando Alferez and Ramdas Kanissery made the presentations …

Registration Now Open for Florida Citrus Show

Morgan ColeEvents

The Florida Citrus Show returns on April 3! Registration is now open for the 2024 show. Join us for a trade show full of the top agricultural companies, informational seminar sessions and an exciting tailgate party. This isn’t your average trade show. In between seminar sessions, growers can mingle with exhibitors and sample their tailgate dishes. Be sure to visit …

European

Increased Production of Citrus Crops in China

Tacy CalliesChina, Crop Forecast

China production forecasts are increased for both mandarin/tangerine and grapefruit/pomelo crops in 2023–24 compared to the prior year. The forecasts were issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS). MANDARINS/TANGERINES China’s mandarin/tangerine production is forecast at 26.9 million metric tons (MMT) in 2023–24, up from 26.5 MMT the previous year. The increase is because of a …

CITRUS NURSERY SOURCE: Seeds Aplenty

Tacy CalliesCitrus Nursery Source

By Peter Chaires Beginning this month, Citrus Nursery Source (CNS) transitions to Citrus Industry magazine after 14 years in Florida Grower magazine. For those unfamiliar with this column, CNS covers citrus industry issues that are of potential interest to nurseries and the growers they serve. Recognizing that it is difficult for nursery owners and staff to regularly attend meetings, this …

Florida Citrus Marketing Order Amended

Tacy CalliesCAC, Florida, Marketing

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is amending the Florida Citrus Marketing Order for fresh citrus to reduce membership of the Florida Citrus Administrative Committee (CAC) and to update quorum requirements. Other amendments to the marketing order include: CAC recommended these changes to help fulfill membership and quorum requirements and ensure a more efficient and orderly flow of business. Authority …

ReMedium TI®

Starting in the Grove to Find New HLB Therapies

Tacy CalliesHLB Management, Research

By Randall P. Niedz, Guilherme Locatelli, Nick Larson, Lorenzo Rossi, Ellen Cochrane and Michelle Heck Scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) developed an idea to bypass lab assays and test molecules directly in the field for their ability to solve HLB. As part of a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) grant (number 2020-70029-33176), …

Taking a ‘Long Shot’ at HLB-Tolerant Grapefruit

Tacy CalliesCitrus, Grapefruit, HLB Management, Research

A U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientist and his team are hopeful that some so-called “long-shot” varieties will pay off in the effort to find HLB-tolerant grapefruit. Matthew Mattia of the USDA Agricultural Research Services (ARS) U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory in Fort Pierce, Florida, found the varieties at the A.H. Whitmore Foundation Farm in Groveland, Florida. The varieties are Florida …

Soft Citrus Forecast Up in South Africa

Tacy CalliesCrop Forecast, International, Mandarins

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) has forecast that South Africa’s tangerine/mandarin production will total 740,000 metric tons in 2023–24, up 4% from the prior season. Young trees coming into production is a primary reason for the increase. PLANTING EXPANSION SLOWSSouth Africa has 27,500 hectares of tangerines/mandarins, also known as soft citrus. The rapid expansion in …

Studying the Mechanisms for HLB Tolerance

Tacy CalliesAll In For Citrus Podcast, Research, Varieties

John Chater has been on the job now for two years, working with growers to evaluate variety performance in field trials. In the latest All In For Citrus podcast episode, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professor discusses his work, including grower collaboration to study new varieties in real-world environments. Chater also talks about …