Orange Light: New Name for Uncle Matt’s Product

Josh McGillIndustry News Release, Orange Juice, Organic

Uncle Matt’s Organic is reintroducing its Matt50™ Orange Juice (OJ) Beverage as Orange Light. Orange Light contains half the sugar and calories as regular OJ. It is boosted with vitamin C, plus prebiotics and probiotics for gut health and immune support. Orange Light is available at Whole Foods Market and Sprouts Farmers Market locations nationwide and is also available for purchase directly …

Legal Arguments Start Over Streptomycin in Citrus

Josh McGillLegal, Pesticides

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals was scheduled to hear oral arguments in late January challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) approval of the antibiotic streptomycin as a pesticide on citrus crops. The lawsuit, brought by farmworker and public-interest groups, argues the use of streptomycin on citrus crops is unlawful under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and …

Ever-Changing MRLs for Fresh Citrus Exports

Josh McGillExport, Pesticides

By Mark A. Ritenour Modern production practices for fresh fruits and vegetables usually include the use of various preharvest and postharvest chemicals, some of which are pesticides. Legally, these materials must be labeled for use on specific crops and may only be used according to label instructions. Chemical residues on fruits and vegetables are monitored by industry and regulators to …

Sustainable Citrus Group Meets in Brazil

Josh McGillBrazil, Research

Researchers, professors and representatives of institutions participating in a sustainable citrus project recently visited Brazil’s Fundecitrus for a progress meeting. The project is Sustainable Citrus Culture Through the Controlled Release of Antibacterial Compounds From Formulations Based on Microgels. The project aims to develop sustainable technologies for the protection of citrus and as an alternative to copper, which is recognized as …

The Essential Elements of Reset Management

Josh McGillplanting, Tip of the Week

By Mongi Zekri For maximum efficiency of a grove, it is essential that every location is occupied by a tree and that every tree is healthy. Prompt replacement of dead and declining trees means higher average long-term returns from the grove. If the declining trees remain in the grove, they keep getting weaker and yield less fruit each year. Therefore, …

CRISPR Research Update for HLB and Canker

Josh McGillBreeding, Florida Citrus Commission, Research

Yianni Lagos, chief executive officer of Soilcea, told the Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) in October about his company’s efforts to use CRISPR gene editing to aid the citrus industry in its struggles with canker and HLB. Soilcea was founded to find solutions to these citrus diseases. The company has exclusive licenses to patents from the University of Florida to cure …

Making Sense of Pesticide Formulations

Josh McGillCEU

By Brandon White Editor’s note: This article grants one continuing education unit (CEU) in the Core category toward the renewal of a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services restricted-use pesticide license when the accompanying test is submitted and approved. Have you ever wondered what the numbers or letters following the trade name of your pesticide stand for or why …

Citrus Industry More Effective When Collaborative

Josh McGillCalifornia Corner, Events

By Danielle Leal The 2023 California Citrus Conference in Visalia proved collaboration is pivotal when tackling industry issues. The conference, hosted by California’s Citrus Research Board, had a lineup of industry leaders, researchers and others who updated growers on California’s citrus industry. Casey Creamer, president and chief executive officer of California Citrus Mutual, spoke on strengthening the connection between research …

How to Get Certified for Paraquat Dichloride Use

Josh McGillPesticides, Regulation, Tip of the Week

By Ajia Paolillo and Lourdes Pérez Cordero If you use herbicides containing paraquat dichloride in your citrus groves, it is important that you are aware of the use certification requirements for this product. In 2016, certification and training for the use of this pesticide were put into place in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) risk mitigation requirements. Any …

florida

CRDF Board Acts on Research Recommendations

Josh McGillCRDF, Research

The Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) board of directors spent much of its monthly meeting in July considering recommendations from the foundation’s research management committee (RMC). TRACKING TREESThe RMC recommended that a request for proposals be put forth to create an inventory of all germplasm existing in field trials from the plant breeding programs CRDF has helped to fund. …

Grapefruit in Turkey: Production Up, Acreage Down

Josh McGillCrop Forecast, Grapefruit, International

Turkey is forecast to produce 249,000 metric tons (MT) of grapefruit in 2021–22, up 5% over the prior year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) reported. The increased production is due to better yields resulting from favorable weather conditions in the Mediterranean growing region, USDA/FAS stated in its semi-annual report on Turkish citrus. Improved yields have allowed …

sour

Turkey’s Lemon Production Climbs

Josh McGillCrop Forecast, International, lemons

Fresh lemon production in Turkey for 2021–22 was recently forecast at 1.33 million metric tons (MMT) in an update by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS). That’s an increase of about 22% over expected prior year production of 1.1 MMT. Growers are expanding the area of their lemon orchards in part because lemons are more profitable than …

Changes in Pesticide Residue Tolerances on Citrus Destined for Korea

Josh McGillExport, Pesticides, Tip of the Week

By Mark A. Ritenour The U.S. and other countries set maximum residue limits (MRLs) on fresh produce for various chemicals, including pesticides that might be used preharvest or postharvest. These materials must be labeled for use on the crop of interest and used only according to label instructions. While it is unlikely for U.S. MRLs to be exceeded when label …

Uncle Matt’s Organic Launches Low-Calorie OJ

Josh McGillIndustry News Release, Orange Juice

Uncle Matt’s Organic recently announced the launch of its Matt50 orange juice beverage. Matt50 contains half the sugar and calories of regular orange juice and is boosted with Vitamin C, prebiotics, probiotics, calcium, potassium and folate. Susan McLean, Uncle Matt’s Organic vice president of marketing and innovation, said Matt50 contains just 50 calories per serving. It is sweetened with organic stevia, a …

Rotate Psyllid Products, Fundecitrus Urges

Josh McGillBrazil, HLB Management

Brazil’s Fundecitrus has launched the Insecticide Rotation Guide for Psyllid Control. Its aim is to help producers control the insect vector of citrus greening, highlighting the importance of proper rotation of products to avoid the selection of resistant psyllids. The resistance of insects and mites to pesticides can compromise the effectiveness of products and, consequently, the control of the pest …

How Weather Affects Pesticide Applications

Josh McGillCEU, Pesticides, Weather

By Matt Smith Editor’s note: This article grants one continuing education unit (CEU) in the Core category toward the renewal of a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services restricted-use pesticide license when the accompanying test is submitted and approved. Weather affects what pests you might be spraying for and the worker doing the spraying. There are environmental safety risks …

Growing Matters: IPM Essential for Pollinator Protection

Josh McGillGrowing Matters, News from our Sponsor

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles and practices are a critical component of pollinator protection approaches in farming. The 2022 BeSure campaign from the Growing Matters Coalition reminds industry members that pollinators play a vital role in agriculture and need to be kept safe. Field Development Representative for Gowan, Dr. Shine Taylor said there are several ways that growers can keep …

Dealing With Diaprepes Root Weevils

Josh McGillPests

By Ajia Paolillo Managing diaprepes root weevils in the grove is essential for root health and overall tree health. The most concerning root weevil for citrus growers is Diaprepes abbreviatus. Diaprepes larval feeding causes significant injury and damage to citrus root systems. LIFE CYCLE AND FEEDING Let’s begin with the life cycle stages of the diaprepes root weevils. Adults emerge …

Seeking Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award Nominations

Josh McGillAwards, Environment, Florida

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has opened the nomination period for the 2022 Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award. Nominations must be submitted to FDACS by April 15, 2022. Get the nomination form here. “Through work in soil and conservation, pesticide and nutrient management, wildlife habitat conservation, and so much more … significant environmental contributions are the backbone of …

Controlling Mites in CUPS

Josh McGillCitrus, Pests

Emilie Demard is working to control mites and other pests that damage fresh grapefruit growing as citrus under protective screens (CUPS) at the Indian River Research and Education Center in Fort Pierce.  “I look at biological control — in this case, predatory mites controlling pest mites to minimize the need for agrochemicals,” said Demard, a Ph.D. entomology graduate with the …