Smart Technology Cuts Spray Costs

Josh McGillPesticides, Technology

As they battle HLB, growers must control costs wherever possible, including by applying pesticides and fertilizer more efficiently. With that in mind, Yiannis Ampatzidis is engaging artificial intelligence (AI) to develop a low-cost, smart tree-crop sprayer that can automatically detect citrus trees, calculate their height and leaf density, and count fruit. That way, growers target their spray more efficiently, so …

EU Ban of Pesticides Could Impact U.S. Growers

Josh McGillPesticides

By Frank Giles Mike Aerts, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association’s vice president of science and regulatory affairs, recently shared an update from the European Union (EU) that could impact maximum residue limits (MRLs) allowed in the 27-member-country body. MRLs govern the amount of allowable pesticide residue on a food product in order to enter a country. Because the EU has …

Egypt to Remain Top Orange Exporter

Josh McGillExport, International

Egypt is expected to maintain its position as the world’s leading fresh orange exporter in 2021–22 despite production challenges, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) reported. The country is expected to export 1.45 million metric tons (MMT), down from 1.67 MMT in 2020–21. The decrease in exports is attributed to lower production amid unfavorable climate conditions. Russia, …

Gibberellic Acid Application on Hamlin Appears Promising

Josh McGillResearch

By Tripti Vashisth In a multi-year field trial, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers have seen beneficial effects of gibberellic acid (GA) on Valencia sweet oranges. Monthly application of GA (September to January) on Valencia improved yield on average by 30%, reduced fruit drop and elicited enhanced plant defense response. These benefits are possibly due …

Australia Citrus Crop to Climb

Ernie NeffInternational

Citrus production in Australia is experiencing favorable conditions after above-average rainfall in all of the major growing areas in 2020 and 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) recently reported. As a result, production in the country is projected to increase in 2021-22. Orange production is forecast at 535,000 metric tons (MT) in 2021-22, a 2% increase …

Florida Growers Report Early-Season Obstacles

Josh McGillProduction

By Frank Giles The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported a drop in estimated Florida orange production in its December crop update. That estimate lowered production by 1 million boxes from the initial forecast of 47 million boxes reported in October. In advance of USDA’s January estimate, Florida citrus growers discussed how their crops are progressing. Here’s what they had …

Orange Quality and Quantity in Turkey

Ernie NeffInternational

The fresh orange yield in Turkey for 2021-22 is forecast to increase 40% to 1.82 million metric tons (MMT) due to favorable rainy weather conditions, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) reported. However, in recent months, producers have become concerned about drought conditions affecting the quality of the fruit. In 2020-21, Turkey produced 1.3 MMT of oranges. …

Pest Management: A New Approach to an Age-Old Challenge

Tacy CalliesPests

By Brad Turner From a family with deep Florida roots, I have over 40 years of experience in commercial citrus production. I learned the industry from the ground up by working in the family groves while studying citrus production at Florida Southern College. I have owned a citrus nursery, my own groves and a citrus caretaking business. I have also …

Making Sense of Biologicals: An Alternative to Managing Premature Fruit Drop

Tacy CalliesMSOB

One instance of fruit drop is expected and needed every growing season for Florida citrus producers. A second instance, however, is unexpected, unwanted and just what growers do not need right before harvest time. HLB WORSENS DROPBut that is a scenario Florida citrus growers encounter every year. This problem has only worsened in the era of citrus greening disease, also …

Three Florida Citrus Pests of Concern

Ernie NeffPests

Lebbeck mealybug, the Bulimulus sporadicus snail and Brevipalpus mite are Florida citrus pests that were discussed at Citrus Expo in August. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) entomologist Lukasz Stelinski delivered information about the three pests for fellow UF/IFAS entomologist Lauren Diepenbrock. LEBBECK MEALYBUGLebbeck mealybug damages fruit, leaves and stems. The pest causes fruit drop and …

USDA Conducting Voluntary Yet Vital Study

Ernie NeffSurvey

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is conducting the 2021 Farm Producer Study to gain knowledge and understanding of agricultural producers and help USDA improve services to them. A brief questionnaire was mailed to approximately 75,000 U.S. agricultural producers across the country. The questionnaire, which takes no more than 10 minutes to complete, asks participants …

georgia citrus association

Georgia Citrus: Varieties and History

Ernie NeffGeorgia

University of Georgia (UGA) plant breeder Wayne Hanna released three seedless citrus trees in 2016. All carry the brand name “Frost” to identify them as UGA products. There is a tangerine (Sweet Frost), a lemon (Grand Frost) and a grapefruit (Pink Frost). Earlier this year, the trio became a quartet with the addition of a navel orange (Southern Frost). Hanna says …

Updated Brazilian OJ Projection

Ernie NeffBrazil, Orange Juice

The total Brazilian frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) 65 Brix equivalent production for 2021-22 is projected at 1.123 million metric tons (MMT). That projection, which is an increase of 16% compared to orange juice production for 2020-21, was made by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).   The São Paulo industry is expected to process 265 million …

production

Mixed Forecast for Israel Citrus Varieties

Ernie NeffForecast, International

Production of oranges, grapefruit and lemons in Israel is forecast to climb in 2021-22, but mandarin/tangerine production is expected to decline, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). ORANGESFAS expects orange production to remain low and below average at 58,000 metric tons in 2021-22, up slightly from 57,000 metric tons in 2020-21. The bulk of Israeli …

Now Is the Time for Dormant Season Sprays

Tacy CalliesPsyllids, Tip of the Week

By Lauren Diepenbrock Pest management is an ongoing effort in Florida citrus. Taking advantage of pest life cycles, whether they are tied to the season or plant phenology, can make management efforts have greater impacts on pest populations. For many citrus growers, managing impacts of Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), the vector of huanglongbing (HLB), is part of the annual management …

Produce Safety Rule Inspections: What You Need to Know

Tacy CalliesFood Safety

By Taylor O’Bannon, Matt Krug, Michelle Danyluk, Chelsea Peebles and Kirby Quam Produce Safety Rule (PSR) inspections conducted by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) are continuing throughout the state as compliance dates for all farm sizes have now passed. The industry is also nearing the compliance date set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for …

citrus

All In For Citrus Podcast, December 2021

Tacy CalliesAll In For Citrus Podcast

2021 won’t go down as one of the best years for citrus growers, but there were some wins for the industry. After the holidays, a major event will springboard the industry into the new year. Michael Rogers, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center, notes that the continuing pandemic …

Big Dips in California Navel and Mandarin Forecasts

Len WilcoxCalifornia Corner, Crop Forecast

The California Citrus Mutual (CCM) Marketing Committee estimates that the total navel orange crop for the 2021-22 season will be down 20% from the previous season’s final utilized, or sold, production. The committee also estimates that the mandarin crop will be down as much as 45% from the 2020-2021 season. According to the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s 2021-22 California …

Port Problems Plague Producers

Tacy CalliesCalifornia Corner, Shipping

The ongoing supply-chain crisis is a big headache to businesses and consumers alike, with no end in sight for the immediate future. Perishable products are particularly at risk, as even a week or two delay can affect product quality. The port delays that caused the supply-chain crisis began on the West Coast with labor shortages due to the pandemic. These …

Incorporating Newer Tools in Resets

Tacy CalliesProduction

By Lauren M. Diepenbrock Maintaining a productive citrus grove in Florida takes a lot of effort and innovation these days. So much so that growers’ needs can outpace the timeline of the researchers who support this industry. As such, growers often move forward with promising ideas or tools before researchers can provide useful recommendations toward successfully incorporating these tools. The …