pests

A New Pest in Citrus

Daniel CooperAll In For Citrus Podcast, Pests

When it comes to talking about citrus bugs, Lauren Diepenbrock, an entomologist with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), is happy to join the conversation. And that’s just what she did in the March episode of the All In For Citrus podcast. She discussed several key pests that have been problematic for growers in recent …

citrus acreage

Florida Citrus Acreage Still Tops in United States

Daniel CooperFlorida, Land

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 …

Australian Citrus Congress

Highlights of the Australian Citrus Congress

Daniel CooperEvents, International

The inaugural Australian Citrus Congress was held March 5–7 at the Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort. The event drew more than 400 attendees for a conference, trade show, gala dinner and biosecurity symposium. Organized by Citrus Australia, highlights of the event included the following: “Businesses across the supply chain had the opportunity to learn something new or make a connection that …

california

California Citrus Growers Anticipate Good Year Despite Challenges

Daniel CooperCalifornia Corner, Pests, Production

Two California citrus industry leaders recently shared their perspectives on the prospects of the industry.  Al Bates, chief executive officer and president of Sun Pacific, said the yield for this year’s crop is mediocre but that “the fruit size is larger and ideal from a consumer perspective.”  The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) projected a 1% increase in …

april

Sneak Peek: April 2024 Citrus Industry

Daniel CooperSneak Peek

See what’s new in citrus in the April issue of Citrus Industry magazine. In this month’s cover story, an established company gets a new name. As the next generation joins the business, learn how DLF International has transitioned to Feek Family Citrus in Fort Pierce, Florida. Trying new things and carefully monitoring costs are a few of the ways this …

Florida citrus

Summary of the 2022–23 Florida Citrus Season

Daniel CooperExport, Florida, Production

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. …

marketing agency

New Marketing Agency Likely for Department of Citrus

Daniel CooperFlorida Citrus Commission, Florida Department of Citrus, Marketing

The Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) on March 20 expressed its intent to hire a new marketing agency for the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC). The FCC, which governs the FDOC, voted to give FDOC staff approval to post the intent to award Padilla the marketing business and pursue contract negotiations with them. Padilla would replace current FDOC agency Edible Inc. …

red sea

Red Sea Disruptions Hit Egyptian Citrus Exports

Daniel CooperInternational, Shipping

Attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen on commercial vessels have resulted in many shipping companies rerouting away from two of the world’s busiest shipping routes — the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. Egyptian citrus exports have been part of the global trade and supply chain that has been disrupted by the attacks. Consequently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign …

impactful

PIECES OF THE PAST: An Impactful Citrus Sisterhood

Daniel CooperMiss Florida Citrus, Pieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette It’s amazing to see how impactful the Florida Citrus Queens have been in marketing our crops! From swimming with dolphins to posing on top of the sign for the host hotel of the annual pageant, these women worked overtime to sell Florida citrus. Dick Pope, founder of Cypress Gardens, was a master at using the Florida …

citrus

All In For Citrus Podcast, March 2024

Daniel CooperAll In For Citrus Podcast, Irrigation

As winter transitions to spring, it is important to monitor irrigation needs in citrus. This is especially true in Florida, where nearly all trees are infected with HLB. Irrigation was a topic of discussion during the March episode of the All In For Citrus podcast. Michael Rogers, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) …

streptomycin

EPA Updates Streptomycin Uses on Citrus

Daniel CooperLegal, Pesticides

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on March 3 provided an update on streptomycin uses on citrus. The update followed the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals’ December 2023 decision that vacated the 2021 registration amendments for streptomycin because of the agency’s failure to comply with the Endangered Species Act. The 2021 amendments added a time-limited use on citrus crop …

growing

Growing Citrus With Soil Health in Mind

Daniel CooperCover Crops, Georgia, Soil Health

Herb Young enjoyed a 40-year career in the agricultural chemical industry, starting as a technical service representative and eventually becoming a product manager. During those years, he worked on various specialty crops across the country. About 25 years of his career was spent in field research roles. So, experimentation with crops and growing practices comes naturally to Young. He has …

georgia citrus association

Georgia Citrus Association Outlines Industry Initiatives

Daniel CooperGeorgia

The Georgia citrus industry has experienced a significant increase in production since it started more than 10 years ago. The Georgia Citrus Association (GCA) is taking steps to ensure continued expansion. During the GCA’s recent annual meeting in Tifton, association president Lindy Savelle spoke with AgNet Media and outlined her organization’s priorities on the heels of another harvest season. A …

Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute

Register for the 2024 Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute

Daniel CooperEvents, HLB Management, Tip of the Week

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 …

citrus-producing

CITRUS NURSERY SOURCE: Implications of New Citrus-Producing States

Daniel CooperCitrus Nursery Source

After Alabama was recently designated a “citrus-producing state,” there were questions on how this might impact the movement of citrus plant material and fruit. Citrus Nursery Source reached out to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Division of Plant Industry and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Protection and Quarantine (USDA-APHIS-PPQ) …

site

Site Selection Key When Planting Citrus

Daniel CooperCold Hardy, planting

Before growers in the cold-hardy citrus region plant their first trees, they need to ensure the planting site is viable for production. Muhammad Shahid, assistant professor of horticulture at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, talked about the importance of site selection at the recent Citrus Health Forum held in Quincy, Florida. “You have to think …

Australian citrus industry

Increasing Australian Citrus Export Demand

Daniel CooperExport, International

With production gains projected in coming seasons, the Australian citrus industry has instituted a plan to increase demand overseas. A $5.3 million market development and quality program is being delivered through Hort Innovation and led by Citrus Australia. Its intent is to ensure the Australian citrus industry remains well-informed, profitable and able to supply quality fruit reliably and sustainably to …

budget

Florida Budget Includes $47 Million for Citrus

Daniel Cooperfinancial, Florida, Legislative

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. …