Florida citrus

Results of the Florida Citrus Research Order Referendum

Josh McGillCRDF, Regulation, Research

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) announced that the state’s citrus growers reauthorized the Florida citrus research order in a statutorily required referendum conducted by the department. The results of the ballots returned yielded 76% “yes” votes representing 69% of total citrus acres. The Florida Citrus Research Order has a six-year cycle and is subject to renewal …

greening-resistant

Southern Hemisphere Citrus Production to Rise

Josh McGillCrop Forecast, International

Citrus production in the Southern Hemisphere this year is expected to increase 4.85% compared to 2021, to 24.8 million tons, according to a preliminary forecast by the World Citrus Organisation (WCO). The forecast is based on information provided by industry associations in Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Peru, South Africa and Uruguay. A total of 13.2 million tons of citrus …

Florida Citrus June Forecast Mixed

Josh McGillCrop Forecast

By Ernie Neff The June 10 federal citrus crop forecast increased the expected Florida Valencia orange crop by 2% but dropped the state’s grapefruit and tangerines/tangelos production expectations. The forecast was issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The projected Valencia crop rose 500,000 boxes from the May forecast, to 22.5 million boxes. NASS declared …

Tips to Keep Citrus Fruit on Trees

Josh McGillAll In For Citrus Podcast, Fruit Drop

By Frank Giles During the May All In For Citrus podcast, Michael Rogers, director of the Citrus Research and Education Center, discussed research on how applications of gibberellic acid (GA) can improve tree health and reduce fruit drop. The research is being conducted by Tripti Vashisth, an associate professor of horticultural sciences with the University of Florida Institute of Food …

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 …

Heritage Practices for Today’s Challenges

Josh McGillCover Crops, Soil Improvement

By Brad Turner Cover cropping and composting in Florida citrus production are not new concepts. Our ancestors understood the basic principles and implemented these practices just a couple of generations ago. YESTERDAY AND TODAYAs a boy, I can remember an old citrus grower telling me how beggarweed and crotalaria, both native nitrogen-fixing legumes, growing wild in neighboring fields would be …

HLB-affected trees

What Southeast Citrus Growers Should Be Watching For

Josh McGillIrrigation, Pests, Weather

A prolonged dry spell across the Southeast should have citrus growers ensuring their young trees are properly irrigated. But Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and small fruits pathologist, cautions growers about applying too much water. “The real young trees don’t have much of a root system, of course. It has been pretty dry. But you don’t want …

Brix Is a Key Issue for Florida Citrus Mutual

Josh McGillOrange Juice, Regulation

Florida Citrus Mutual President Glenn Beck and Executive Vice President/CEO Matt Joyner recently met with members of Florida’s congressional delegation and others in Washington to highlight issues important to Florida citrus. The need for federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) action on lowering the Brix level was one focus of the meetings. Beck and Joyner met with U.S. Sen. Marco …

Citrus Department Proposes Preliminary 2022–23 Budget

Josh McGillfinancial, Florida Citrus Commission, Florida Department of Citrus

The Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) in May proposed a preliminary 2022–23 operating budget of $31.4 million to the Florida Citrus Commission, its governing body. The 2021–22 operating budget was $29 million. Global marketing and public relations represent the bulk of the 2022–23 budget at $22.9 million, a 3.5% reduction from the previous season. The proposed orange budget will increase …

Important Clarifications on the Florida Citrus Research Order Referendum

Josh McGillCRDF, Regulation, Research

As the voting period for the Florida Citrus Research Order winds down, it is important that growers have a clear understanding what the vote is for and the role the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) plays in the process. Rick Dantzler, chief operating officer of CRDF, says this clarification is important to be sure growers have the correct information, …

Sneak Peek: June 2022 Citrus Industry

Josh McGillNutrition, Sneak Peek, soil

In the quest to keep HLB-infected citrus trees productive, many growers are turning to techniques to improve soil health. That’s the focus of the June issue of Citrus Industry magazine. The hope is that better soil health will lead to better tree health. Methods under study include compost, cover crops and oak mulch. Citrus grower and consultant Brad Turner makes …

Diagnosing Herbicide Phytotoxicity in Citrus

Josh McGillweeds

By Ramdas Kanissery, Nimal Timilsina and Ruby Tiwari Chemical weed control is an essential component of the toolbox to keep weeds in check in citrus groves. Citrus growers primarily rely on herbicide to manage weeds due to their efficacy and cost-effectiveness. Despite their benefits, herbicides may have a wide range of unintended effects on citrus. For instance, an herbicide-related injury …

Strong Season for Citrus Grower

Josh McGillFresh, Production, Weather

“The local market has improved since last season,” says citrus grower Chip Henry. “I’ve gained customers, and existing ones are buying more. When people know the fruit is being harvested, they seek out that local supply and want to support their local farmers.” Henry grows 12 acres of organic Valencias at McGuire Groves in Apopka, Florida, and sells his fruit …

Australia Aims to Expand Citrus Exports to India

Josh McGillExport/Import, International

Citrus Australia will use a $485,711 grant from the federal government to increase citrus export opportunities to India for Australian growers, through targeted development of the Indian market. The Australian citrus industry currently exports up to $540 million worth of citrus around the world. India and the subcontinent have been recognized as potential growth markets. India has a population of …

An Alternative Approach to Citrus Greening

Josh McGillCitrus Greening, Florida, HLB Management

“Life as a citrus grower is a perilous journey,” says Chip Henry. Among the toughest perils the third-generation Florida grower has endured are the freezes of the 1980s, the threat of losing his land to highway construction, and the scourge of citrus greening. Henry’s story begins with the founding of O.E. McGuire Groves in Apopka by his maternal grandparents in …

Japan’s mandarin

Chile Ships First Citrus of Season to United States

Josh McGillCrop Forecast, International

The Chilean citrus season began recently with the first shipment of clementines to the United States. Chile, the largest exporter of citrus in the southern hemisphere, will also supply mandarins, navel oranges and lemons to the United States. Promotional support will run from June to October. The forecast for citrus production in Chile is 45,000 tons of clementines, 120,000 tons …

Citrus Marketing Tactics Discussed

Josh McGillFlorida Department of Citrus, Marketing

Several of the approximately 30 participants in an April 29 webinar about citrus marketing tactics confirmed a presenter’s assertion that online shopping has become hugely popular. Speaker Chip Bates, executive vice president of Edible, the marketing agency for the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC), said a majority of consumers would rather shop online than in a store. After making that …