Changes to U.S. Orange Crop Forecast

Ernie NeffCrop Forecast

Florida’s orange crop forecast was reduced by 500,000 boxes to 55.5 million boxes in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) March 9 citrus crop forecast. This represents a 1% reduction from the February forecast. If the March projection is realized, it will be 18% lower than last season’s final production. Florida’s Valencia orange crop forecast was reduced by 1 million …

Could Finger Limes Be Florida’s Hero?

Ashley RobinsonAll In For Citrus Podcast, Limes, Research

The Australian finger lime, a citrus relative, could be a new specialty crop for Florida citrus growers. Traditionally, finger limes have remained rare in the United States, grown few and far between. However, the fruit’s unique tolerance to HLB is becoming increasingly attractive to Florida growers. Manjul Dutt, research assistant scientist at the  University of Florida Institute of Food and …

Florida Growers Wanted for Rootstock Trials

Ernie NeffResearch, Rootstocks

The Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) is establishing a new project to evaluate the most promising citrus rootstocks in grower field trials. The rootstock trials are projected to be planted in the spring or summer of 2022. The goal will be to identify plant material with the traits needed for growers to realize the highest possible pound solids per …

Record Grapefruit Production and Consumption

Ashley RobinsonCrop Forecast, Grapefruit, International

Global grapefruit production in 2020-21 is forecast up slightly to a record 6.9 million tons due to favorable weather and expanded area in China and Mexico, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). Additionally, global consumption is forecast to reach a new record with the higher supplies as exports grow to their highest level in three …

New Research on HLB-Associated Fruit Drop

Ashley RobinsonFruit Drop

Tripti Vashisth revealed new research information on what causes preharvest fruit drop and possible strategies to mitigate the problem. The Florida citrus industry, stricken by HLB, has suffered a sharp increase in preharvest fruit drop, leading to a substantial reduction in citrus production. According to Vashisth, assistant professor of horticulture at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural …

project

Florida Citrus Industry Continues Decline

Tacy CalliesCitrus Greening

Florida citrus production has decreased for almost two decades. According to Marisa Zansler, director of economic and market research at the Florida Department of Citrus, the two main factors for the state’s steady decline are citrus greening (huanglongbing, known as HLB) and Hurricane Irma. Zansler presented staggering statistics during the Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference on Feb. 26 that showed …

HLB

UF/IFAS Citrus Position; Upcoming Grower Meetings

Ernie NeffAll In For Citrus Podcast

Michael Rogers with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) discussed plans to hire a new citrus horticulturist, as well as grower meetings set for March. Rogers is director of the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) in Lake Alfred. The horticulturist to be hired will work with UF/IFAS plant breeders on the field development …

irrigation

Improving Root Health in the Era of HLB

Ashley RobinsonRoot health

Developing and maintaining a healthy root system is crucial for establishment and long-term productivity of citrus trees. The presence of HLB can greatly complicate citrus root-health management. The infection causes severe damage to fibrous roots that amplify the detrimental effects caused by other root pests and pathogens, such as phytophthora root rot. Due to HLB’s widespread presence throughout Florida, root-health …

Tangerine and Mandarin Global Production to Increase

Ashley RobinsonCrop Forecast, International

Global tangerine and mandarin production for 2020-21 is forecast up slightly to 33.1 million tons with larger supplies in China, the European Union, Morocco and Turkey, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service. Consumption and exports are both up with the increase in supply. China production of tangerines and mandarins is forecast to rise slightly to a …

Q&A With FDOC’s Shannon Shepp

Tacy CalliesFlorida Department of Citrus

Shannon Shepp, executive director of the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC), answers several questions regarding her agency’s work, including efforts to market orange juice (OJ) and other Florida citrus products. She fields additional questions of interest to the citrus industry, including about demand for citrus products, foreign OJ imports, and industry challenges and opportunities. The FDOC is governed by the …

citrus

All In For Citrus Podcast, February 2021

Taylor HillmanAll In For Citrus Podcast, Sponsored Content

February’s All In For Citrus podcast brings good news about a new faculty position, an upcoming in-person meeting and Australian finger limes projects to battle HLB and keep growers profitable. After more than a year in the making, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) plans to add a new faculty member in citrus horticulture. Citrus …

New Solution for Fruit Drop?

Ashley RobinsonFruit Drop, Research

Fruit left on the ground is a waste for growers and consumers alike, and Florida’s citrus industry certainly cannot afford to leave any fruit behind. Citrus fruit drop before harvest has been particularly challenging during the 2020-21 Florida growing season. That is why Fernando Alferez, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus horticulturist, is researching strategies …

nutrition

Nutrition Management Program Yields Results

Ashley RobinsonNutrition

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers have found that following nutrition and irrigation guidelines designed for a specific grove will help growers promote tree health and produce high-quality citrus. Last year, UF/IFAS scientists offered Florida growers a unique nutritional counseling program, commonly referred to as the nutrition box program. It provides free soil and leaf …

Shade for HLB Trees Means More Yield

Ashley RobinsonAll In For Citrus Podcast

Like all photosynthetic plants, citrus trees need light to produce food. But in Florida, groves located in full sun sometimes receive more light energy than they can make use of, causing photosynthesis to slow down. When this happens, the trees invest their energy in protecting their leaves from sun damage, meaning the trees have less food available for fruit protection. …

Argentina Sweet Citrus Sees Increase

Ernie NeffInternational

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) reported that sweet citrus production in Argentina is forecast to increase in 2020-21. Sweet citrus refers to fresh oranges and tangerines. Orange production is expected to climb 7.5 percent from the prior season to 700,000 metric tons; tangerine production is forecast to jump 16 percent to 360,000 metric tons. Sweet citrus …

citrus crop

More Shrinkage for Brazil’s Orange Crop

Tacy CalliesBrazil, Crop Forecast

On Feb. 10, Fundecitrus and its cooperators released an update to Brazil’s 2020–2021 orange crop forecast. The forecast is now 269.01 million boxes, down slightly from the 269.36 million boxes forecast in December. While production of the Pera Rio variety increased 3.74 percent to 81.83 million boxes, Valencia and Valencia Folha Murcha production decreased 2.8 percent to 91.72 million boxes. …

citrus

Orange Production to See Global Increase

Tacy CalliesCrop Forecast

Global orange production for 2020–21 is forecast to rise 3.6 million metric tons from the previous year to 49.4 million metric tons. Favorable weather leading to larger crops in Brazil and Mexico will offset declines in Turkey and the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service. Consequently, consumption, processing fruit and fresh exports are also …

florida

Florida Citrus Forecast for February Sees Some Changes

Daniel CooperCrop Forecast

The February Florida orange forecast released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is 56 million boxes, up 2 million boxes from the January forecast. This represents a 4 percent increase from the January forecast. If realized, it will be 17 percent less than last season’s final production. ORANGESThe forecast change was for non-Valencia production, which now stands at 22 …

UF/IFAS VP Scott Angle on HLB Efforts

Tacy CalliesHLB Management, Research

Florida’s citrus growers are counting on research to help sustain what’s left of an industry decimated by huanglongbing (HLB). The disease remains a focal point of research at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Scott Angle, vice president for agriculture and natural resources at UF/IFAS, understands the ramifications if improved HLB management options aren’t available …

New Florida Citrus Commission Chairman

Tacy CalliesFlorida Citrus Commission

Steve Johnson, owner and general manager of Johnson Harvesting, was elected chairman of the Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) this week. He succeeds Ned Hancock in the chairman position. The FCC oversees the Florida Department of Citrus. Johnson is a fourth-generation citrus grower and cattle rancher based in Wauchula. In addition to managing the operations of the citrus harvesting and brokerage …