Two New Florida Citrus Hall of Fame Members

Josh McGillAwards

The late F. Gilbert Bowen of Winter Haven and the late A.G. Smith of Wauchula will join the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame as the Class of 2023 inductees. They will be inducted posthumously in March 2024, along with the Class of 2024 inductees.  BOWENFor more than seven decades, Bowen (1928–2022) was a leader in his family’s operations as well …

Preparing for Freezing Temperatures

Josh McGillAll In For Citrus Podcast, freeze

With temperatures plummeting over Christmas weekend, the latest episode of the All In For Citrus podcast is well timed. Chris Oswalt, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus Extension agent covering Polk and Hillsborough counties, joined the podcast to discuss tips on preparing for freeze events. Oswalt encouraged growers to find a reliable source of …

Sneak Peek: January 2023 Citrus Industry

Josh McGillSneak Peek

Past management, a perennial problem for citrus growers, is the primary focus of the January issue of Citrus Industry magazine. An old pest is posing new concerns for Florida growers. The recent resurgence of diaprepes root weevil is the subject of the cover story by University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers Lukasz Stelinski, Lauren Diepenbrock …

Federal Omnibus Deal Fails to Include Farm Labor Act

Josh McGillLabor, Legislative

On Dec. 22, the U.S. Senate passed the omnibus appropriations bill. The $1.7 trillion measure would fund the federal government through the remainder of 2023. The measure now moves to the U.S. House of Representatives for a vote to avoid a government shutdown on the evening of Dec. 23. Much to the dismay of farm groups nationwide, the Senate Affordable …

Record Lemon Crop Expected in Part of Australia

Josh McGillInternational, lemons

Record numbers of lemons are expected to be harvested in Far North Queensland (FNQ) this summer, helping the Australian industry achieve its goal of supplying Australian lemons year-round. Increased numbers of lemons are also expected from central and southern Queensland. The projected record summer crop is a result of expansion in the FNQ citrus industry and good weather. “We have …

PIECES OF THE PAST: Doing Together What Cannot Be Done Alone

Josh McGillPieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette Frank Sullivan III, of Sullivan Victory Groves, recently gave me a few boxes of his gift fruit catalogs, books, records and memorabilia for the Citrus Archives. Since December always reminds me of sending gift fruit to friends and family, it’s only appropriate that I share this story. One of the items he donated was a booklet …

Hoffman to Direct Government Affairs at Florida Citrus Mutual

Josh McGillFlorida Citrus Mutual

Landon Hoffman will become director of government affairs for grower organization Florida Citrus Mutual on Jan. 9, 2023. Hoffman joins Mutual from Congressman Neal Dunn’s office, where he served as campaign manager for this year’s reelection. Prior to that, Hoffman was Dunn’s district director. In that role, he oversaw district operations and served as staff for the congressman on the U.S. …

The Most Critical Step to a Good Nutrition Program

Josh McGillNutrition, Research

By Tripti Vashisth, Faisal Shahzad and Jamie Burrow Leaf nutrient analysis is an important part of a successful citrus management program. Good fertilization practices are critical for optimal crop production, especially in HLB conditions. The two main objectives of nutrition management in citrus are 1) optimum and consistent yield and 2) building a strong tree that grows and produces year …

It’s Time to Target Adult Asian Citrus Psyllids

Josh McGillPests, Psyllids, Tip of the Week

By Lauren Diepenbrock Pest management is an ongoing effort in Florida citrus. Taking advantage of pest life cycles has been shown to be an effective tool for reducing populations of target pests. For many citrus growers, managing impacts of the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), the vector of huanglongbing (HLB), is part of the annual management plan. As we enter the …

CRDF Allocates Year-End Funds to HLB Research Projects

Josh McGillCRDF, HLB Management, Research

The Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) met for its December board meeting to discuss several topics before heading into the new year. One of the bigger areas of discussion was what to do with available uncommitted funds. “The board decided to fund work on several questions growers have regarding the use of bactericides inserted through systemic delivery devices and …

citrus

All In For Citrus Podcast, December 2022

Josh McGillAll In For Citrus Podcast, Diseases, hurricane

The December All In For Citrus podcast includes a discussion with Michael Rogers, director of the Citrus Research and Education Center, about ongoing efforts growers are making to rehabilitate citrus groves after Hurricanes Ian and Nicole.  Rogers also addressed some longer-term research being conducted by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) to develop trees that …

Affordable and Secure Food Act Introduced in Senate

Josh McGillLabor, Legislative

Update as of Dec. 22, 2022: The current 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill does not include the Affordable and Secure Food Act. Bill sponsors and farm groups had urged its inclusion.  “Congress has once again failed to deliver the reforms that the fresh produce industry and its agricultural allies have long fought for. International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) did its part …

Cold-Hardy Citrus Exceeds Yield and Quality Forecast

Josh McGillCold Hardy

Cold Hardy Citrus Association (CHCA) growers predicted this year’s harvest would be favorable at the season’s start, and groves are producing beyond those early expectations. “We are seeing good quality, bigger size and lots of volume left to pick on trees, especially for satsumas,” said CHCA President Kim Jones. CHCA represents growers, handlers, shippers and allied businesses in North Florida, South …

CUPS Can Be More Profitable Than Conventional Production

Josh McGillCUPS, Economics, Research

High yields of HLB-free fruit can hypothetically be sustainably produced in citrus under protective screen (CUPS), Arnold Schumann said at a Dec. 14 field day at the Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC). He backed that up with data showing high yields from Ray Ruby grapefruit planted at high densities and fertigated in CUPS. Trees in his CUPS facility are …

HLB Resistance Is Citrus Breeding Program’s Primary Focus

Josh McGillBreeding

Citrus breeding is conducted at different research facilities across Florida. But the objective remains the same for University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) breeders: Develop HLB-resistant citrus. That is the goal for Jose Chaparro, UF/IFAS associate professor in Gainesville. His research will impact citrus produced in the North Florida and South Georgia regions. “If you look …

Touring Trials at the Whitmore Farm Field Day

Josh McGillEvents, Rootstocks, Varieties

The A.H. Whitmore Foundation Farm near Groveland, Florida, recently hosted a field day. The event was presented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), New Varieties Development and Management Corporation (NVDMC) and the Florida Citrus Research Foundation. The farm opened in 1959. The 400-acre property includes 110 acres of groves on prime citrus land. Some of the state’s most popular …

Improving Yield Safety of Glyphosate

Josh McGillTip of the Week, weeds

By Ramdas Kanissery Florida citrus growers face weed management problems throughout the year because of conditions that favor rapid weed growth in groves. A weed-free tree row is desired in a citrus grove to minimize weed competition with trees. Hence, chemical weed control using post-emergent, systemic herbicides like glyphosate has become a vital production practice in the Florida citrus industry. …

Hurricane Aid Sought for Florida Citrus Industry

Josh McGillhurricane

The Florida citrus industry has an urgent need for disaster aid in the wake of Hurricanes Ian and Nicole, 17 members of Florida’s congressional delegation advised the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations.  In a Dec. 8 letter, the U.S. representatives stated that Hurricane Ian impacts caused an estimated $675.5 million in preliminary damages to the industry. They reported that damage …

Florida Citrus Show Update

Josh McGillEvents

In March, AgNet Media purchased the assets of Florida Grower magazine, which included the Florida Citrus Show. The show has been an important event, hosted in the Indian River citrus-growing region for many years. AgNet Media intends to continue presenting the show but is currently evaluating ways to improve it with new ideas to optimize the experience for citrus growers …

Economic Perspectives on the 2021–22 Florida Processed Orange Season

Josh McGillEconomics

By Thomas H. Spreen The timing of Hurricane Ian is not unlike that of Hurricane Irma in September of 2017 in that it struck before the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) crop forecast was released in October, but after the data collection process was already completed for the forecast. Therefore, the USDA forecast will not take Hurricane Ian’s impacts into …