citrus greening

UC Puts HLB Research Online in Easy-To-Read Updates

Len Wilcox California Corner

California citrus farmers have their ears perked for all news related to Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), huanglongbing (HLB) disease and HLB research, but some of the very latest advances have been available only in highly technical research journals, often by subscription only. University of California (UC) Cooperative Extension scientists are now translating the research into readable summaries and posting them …

citrus

Florida Citrus Harvest Lowest in Decades

Daniel Cooper Citrus, Crop Forecast, Industry News Release

by Jim Turner, News Service of Florida The final forecast of the 2016-2017 season for Florida’s struggling citrus industry shows the orange crop falling 16 percent from the previous season — which, itself, had been at a five-decades low. And after a season of severe drought, combined with the continued fight against a deadly citrus disease and the expansion of …

citrus crop forecast

Final U.S. Citrus Crop Forecast Down 17 Percent from Last Season

Daniel Cooper Citrus, Crop Forecast

Candi Erick, the agricultural statistics administrator with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Florida Agricultural Statistics Service, reports the final citrus crop forecast of the 2016-17 season. The United States all-orange forecast for the 2016-2017 season is down 2 percent from last month and down 17 percent from last season’s final utilization. The 2016-2017 Florida all-orange forecast released …

Korea Requirements for Fuller Rose Beetle

Len Wilcox California Corner, Pests

As in previous years, orange shipments to Korea must be free of Fuller rose beetle (FRB) and California red scale (CRS). Growers desiring to qualify oranges for export to South Korea must comply with the FRB protocol during the 2017-2018 shipping season. Growers are required to implement the following measures for FRB control on oranges: 1. Skirt-prune trees to prevent …

Tree Defender Stops Psyllids

Tacy Callies Citrus

Sponsored Content A Florida company may hold the key to protecting the world’s young citrus plantings until a permanent solution for the devastating citrus greening disease (HLB) can be found. Widespread devastation from citrus greening has caused billions of dollars in lost revenue and killed over 100 million citrus trees worldwide. Although there appears to be no end in sight, …

Sneak Peek: July 2017 Citrus Industry Magazine

Tacy Callies Research, Sneak Peek, Technology

Technology and equipment are the main themes of the July issue of Citrus Industry magazine. Not to be missed in this issue is a cover story on University of Florida citrus breeder Fred Gmitter, written by senior correspondent Ernie Neff. The article explores the genetic technologies Gmitter is using to create improved citrus varieties. You’ll also learn some surprising facts …

fungus

Sources of HLB-Spreading Psyllids

Ernie Neff Psyllids

The origin of HLB-spreading Asian citrus psyllids found in citrus groves is regarded differently in Texas and California than it is in Florida. Michael Rogers, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences entomologist and director of the Citrus Research and Education Center, explains. “Areas like Texas and California, their focus has been on combating psyllids in the urban …

UC Davis Seeking a Few Good Citrus Orchards

Len Wilcox Citrus

Professor Patrick Brown, of the University of California, Davis Department of Plant Sciences, needs the help of some citrus growers with high-producing citrus orchards for a special project. He is looking for growers who have both navels and mandarins that are productive. “It’s a non-destructive study. We just want to collect leaf samples and analyze them for nutrient levels,” said …

Lawsuit Filed to Stop Argentine Lemons

Len Wilcox Citrus

California lemon growers are suing the U.S. government for allowing Argentine lemons into the United States. The U.S. Citrus Science Council (USCSC), representing approximately 750 family citrus farmers, has filed the lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in federal district court in Fresno, California. Members of the California citrus industry are challenging the rule because the Administrative Procedure …

App Identifies Nutrient Problems

Tacy Callies Nutrition

A Dinuba, California-based company specializing in plant nutrition has developed a phone app that helps growers identify and treat crop nutrient deficiencies. The company — Nutrient Technologies, Inc. — has been manufacturing and selling agricultural fertilizer products since 1986 in the Central Valley and throughout California, specializing in citrus crops. The app, called Crop Nutrient Advisor, shows photos of plants …

usda

USDA Citrus Crop Forecast

The first USDA citrus crop forecast for the 2023-24 season is scheduled to be released at 12:00 noon Eastern Time/9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on June 12, 2024. You will be able to tune in and hear the numbers as they are given by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service. Click on the player below to hear the …

Argentine Lemons Entering U.S. Market Despite Objections

Len Wilcox California Corner, Legislative, Trade

The Trump administration is moving to permanently allow Argentine lemons to enter the U.S. market. This is despite objections from California citrus growers and warnings of dire consequences for California lemons, including exposing the industry to new pests and diseases. “It is evident that the California citrus industry is the pawn in a greater trade deal between the Trump administration …

New Packing Shed Shows Growth of Organic Citrus

Len Wilcox Organic

The first organic packing shed in California’s Imperial Valley is scheduled to begin operations in August of this year. The shed will be owned and operated by Doc’s Organics, which grows 630 acres of organic citrus in the valley. The facility is currently under construction in Westmoreland. The shed was financed in part by an Agricultural Benefit Program loan from …

Summer Citrus from South Africa Planning Sessions 2017

Summer Citrus from South Africa Hosts 2017 Planning Session

Daniel Cooper Citrus, Industry News Release

This year’s Annual Planning Meeting, hosted by Summer Citrus from South Africa (SCSA) brought members from across the United States and Western Cape together to review sales and marketing plans, production volumes, shipping schedules and category trends to support the 2017 season. Seald Sweet International’s Mayda Sotomayor opened the planning sessions by introducing the growers, importers, retailers, marketing team and …

Drought Remains Top Concern Despite Recent Floods

Kelsey Fry California Corner

By Len Wilcox The wettest year in recent history is bringing relief to California growers. The relief may be short-lived, however, unless state water officials make permanent changes in water management and address the supply shortfall during drought years. A new executive order has been issued by the state to improve conservation measures and water-management procedures. The short-term outlook is …

Sneak Peek: May 2017 Citrus Industry Magazine

Tacy Callies Nutrition, Sneak Peek

The topic of nutrition takes center stage in the May issue of Citrus Industry magazine. Part two of an article co-authored by growers and a researcher presents case studies on how controlled-release fertilizer can boost the health of HLB trees. Also included in the May issue is an update on grower citrus nutrition trials being conducted by University of Florida. …

Citrus Group Objects to New Rules for Pesticide Use Near Schools

Len Wilcox California Corner, Regulation

Over industry objections, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) is continuing its effort to create new regulations for the use of agricultural pesticides near school sites and licensed child day care facilities. A recently published revision included changes made due to input received during public review. This revision did not go far enough to satisfy objections. After reviewing the …

Teaming Up Against Asian Citrus Psyllids

Josh McGill Citrus, Psyllids

The natural enemies Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis and Tamarixia radiata may have a future together in California. By Ivan Milosavljević and Mark S. Hoddle Over the past 11 years, the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP)-Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) (manifested as citrus greening) complex has become a “duo from hell” for Florida’s citrus industry, causing a substantial negative economic effect. ACP-CLAS MANAGEMENT IN CALIFORNIA …

Searching for Citrus Varieties Resistant to HLB

Len Wilcox California Corner, Research

Three old trees at the Lindcove Research and Extension Center (REC) might hold the key to huanglongbing (HLB) resistance, according to an article in the University of California (UC) publication California Agriculture. The Lindcove REC is located on the eastern edge of the San Joaquin Valley near Visalia, California. Several of the citrus varieties tested at Lindcove REC were bred …

The Pest Partnerships that Threaten Citrus

Josh McGill California Corner, Citrus, Pests

Biocontrol of Asian citrus psyllids can be improved by controlling ants. By Kelsey Schall and Mark Hoddle More than a decade of battle with the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP)-huanglongbing (HLB) complex has drained the vigor from Florida’s citrus industry, costing billions in disease management and production losses. With HLB established in parts of urban Southern California, the second largest citrus …