New Hurricane Guide for Citrus Growers

Ernie Neffhurricane

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences citrus horticulturist Fernando Alferez and multi-county citrus Extension agent Mongi Zekri co-authored a new document on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Hurricane Preparation and Recovery Commodity Guides website. The Citrus Producers Guide includes long- and short-term recommendations for building resilience to hurricanes in citrus groves, nurseries and citrus under protective screens …

New Rootstocks in the Citrus Breeding Pipeline

Tacy CalliesResearch, Rootstocks

By Jude Grosser, Fred Gmitter and Kim Bowman Two citrus breeding programs have identified several rootstocks that can currently be planted with confidence when combined with appropriate scions, including mid- and late-season oranges, and grown with emerging enhanced nutrition programs. These citrus breeding programs are at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education …

IRCL Names President, Discusses Grove Trial

Ernie NeffIndian River

The Indian River Citrus League (IRCL) recently named a new president and provided an update on a large grapefruit trial. The new IRCL president is Daniel Scott. He succeeds Pat Schirard, who served two terms. Before being selected president, Scott served as chairman of the IRCL production committee. Scott is a third-generation citrus grower and is vice president of Scott …

Tools to Protect Young Trees From HLB Being Studied

Tacy CalliesHLB Management

While citrus growers continue to look for the best practices to fight the deadly huanglongbing (HLB) disease, researchers are taking an integrated approach at protecting young trees by using tools growers already have access to. “In Florida and pretty much every citrus-producing area, we’ve been doing a lot of replanting or resets,” says Lauren Diepenbrock, an assistant professor of entomology …

How to Use the New Florida Citrus Rootstock Selection Guide

Tacy CalliesRootstocks

By Rhuanito S. Ferrarezi, William S. Castle, Kim D. Bowman, Jude W. Grosser, Stephen H. Futch, Steve Rogers and Andres Gonzalez First published in 1989 as Rootstocks for Florida Citrus, the work of William Castle and his colleagues remains relevant 30 years later. The purpose of the fourth edition of the Florida Citrus Rootstock Selection Guide is to provide timely …

production

Growers Get Details on CRAFT Cycle Two

Ernie Neffplanting, Research

Approximately 60 people learned how to participate in Cycle Two of the Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) program via a virtual workshop held June 23-24. The application period for Cycle Two will be July 20 to Sept. 4, 2020. CRAFT offers growers substantial financial incentives to plant new trees that will be raised utilizing specific HLB mitigation strategies. Participating …

soil

CRDF Sets Tax, Discusses Research Plans

Ernie NeffCRDF

The grower assessment to help fund Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) programs will remain at 3 cents per box for the 2020-21 season. CRDF directors, sitting June 23 as the Box Tax Advisory Council, approved the assessment on commercial citrus grown in Florida. “We don’t take for granted that we’re entitled to that money,” CRDF Chief Operating Officer Rick …

The Ins and Outs of Tango

Tacy CalliesVarieties

The relatively mild winter conditions over the last two decades have led to a resurgence of interest in cold-hardy citrus in Florida. Growers were looking for a low-seeded citrus variety that was sweet, easy to peel and had moderate cold tolerance. In 2009, the first Florida nurseries were licensed to grow Tango, a low-seeded (less than five seeds per fruit …

Fresh Fruit Packers Announce Partnership

Ernie NeffFresh, Industry News Release

Florida Classic Growers (FCG) announced a partnership with Riverfront Packing Company, LLC; The Packers of Indian River, Inc. and Quality Fruit Packers, Inc. The additional citrus volume from the partnering companies will expand product offerings and increase distribution to FCG’s customers marketed under the Florida Classic label. Riverfront and its marketing arm, Scott Marketing, Inc., will continue handling all sales …

citrus

Report on the Florida Orange Juice Market

Ernie NeffOrange Juice

A Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) economist recently gave the Florida Citrus Commission a detailed report about Florida orange production and the not-from-concentrate (NFC) orange juice (OJ) market. On average, about 96 percent of the Florida orange crop is processed into OJ, said Marisa Zansler, director of economic and market research. Over the last five years, approximately 80 percent of …

citrus

All In For Citrus Podcast, June 2020

Taylor HillmanAll In For Citrus Podcast

Listen to the June episode of the All In For Citrus podcast to hear a bit of breaking news as well as updates on two research projects with exciting potential. Citrus Research and Education Center Director Michael Rogers learned just hours before the recording of this episode that the University of Florida was moving forward with phase three of reopening …

psyllids

Psyllids May Give a Year’s Warning of HLB

Ernie NeffPsyllids

Although huanglongbing (HLB) disease was detected in Florida citrus in 2005, the HLB bacterium wasn’t found in Texas until 2011, when scientists detected it in Asian citrus psyllids (ACP). The disease wasn’t found in Texas citrus trees until 2012, suggesting that the HLB-spreading psyllids may be used for early detection of the pathogen in newly invaded areas. Factors influencing the spread …

How Growers Can Protect Pollinators

Ernie NeffEnvironment, Industry News Release

Florida’s U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA/NRCS) recently recognized pollinators and the growers who create and maintain their habitat. “Pollinators, such as honeybees, bumblebees, butterflies, birds, bats, flies and many others, play a critical role in crop production,” Florida’s USDA/NRCS stated in a media release. The recognition came as National Pollinator Week, June 22-28, approaches. The week …

Cover Crops Benefit California Citrus Grower

Len WilcoxCalifornia Corner, Cover Crops

A California citrus grower says he has substantially increased water retention and decreased irrigation usage by planting cover crops. Chris Sayer, of Petty Ranch, says he has added about 3 percent organic content to his soil, which has reduced irrigation water usage from 2 acre feet to 1.25 to 1.5 acre feet. Sayer is a fifth-generation Ventura County farmer. He …

Georgia

More Georgia Citrus Nurseries Certified

Ernie NeffGeorgia, nurseries

The majority of trees in Georgia’s young citrus industry have come from other states. “That statistic could soon be changing, meaning that the majority of trees could come from nurseries within the state,” said Lindy Savelle, president of the Georgia Citrus Association.   Savelle reported that three greenhouses in Georgia have been inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) …

Florida Citrus Season Soured by Imports

Tacy CalliesExport/Import, sales

A small grower shares his thoughts on the current market situation. By Chip Henry The functionality and integrity of the cash (spot) market for Florida oranges this season has been undermined by the untimely and excessive supplanting of imported juice into Florida processing plant inventories. The resulting price crash has cast a pall on growers selling their fruit on the …

Research Pushes Forward in COVID-19 Era

Tacy CalliesCOVID-19, Research

As Florida moved to “safer at home” measures, not all University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research projects could be put on pause. There are living plants, animals and insects to feed and maintain. Some projects have regular monitoring procedures for which postponement could have broader environmental consequences. “We are very proud of our faculty, staff …

Georgia Citrus Avoids COVID-19 Harm

Ernie NeffCOVID-19, Georgia

Georgia’s citrus crop was harvested before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States, so the state’s small but growing citrus industry has thus far avoided impacts from the disease. “We don’t think marketing will be affected by COVID, but harvesting (next season) could become problematic if our harvest crews experience problems,” said Lindy Savelle, president of the Georgia Citrus Association. “Although …

florida all

Nutrients for the Grove: A Nurseryman’s Tips

Ernie NeffNutrition

By Aaron Himrod Good nursery growers are constantly monitoring their nutrition levels to produce well-nourished plants. While a grove owner cannot employ the same intensity of nutritional control as in an enclosed structure with consistent plant media, the principles apply in the field just as much in the nursery. A steady supply of comprehensive nutrition in the appropriate balance is needed …

Fresh Florida-Grown Citrus Sales to Increase

Ernie NeffFresh, sales

Even with a projected downturn in production, “fresh citrus movement is projected to increase as a result of new plantings and other favorable conditions,” a Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) official reported recently. Florida Citrus Packers, the trade association for fresh fruit packers and shippers, agreed. Marisa Zansler, FDOC director of economic and market research, noted that the production forecast …