CRAFT Application Deadline Extended

Josh McGillCRAFT, planting, Research

The Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation has extended the deadline for CRAFT Cycle Four to Dec. 31 at 5 p.m. It made the extension in response to multiple requests. The foundation recognized that many Florida citrus growers have had to shift their focus and time for the past couple of months to deal with hurricane recovery. GROWER INCENTIVESCRAFT …

Flower Bud Advisories Promote Better Planning

Josh McGillProduction, Tip of the Week

By Tripti Vashisth In Florida, it is the time of year to start following citrus flower bud induction conditions for next year’s bloom. Citrus flower bud induction starts in the fall and usually is complete by early January. Low temperatures first stop growth and then promote induction of flower buds as more hours of low temperatures accumulate (below 68 degrees). …

July

All In For Citrus Podcast, November 2022

Tacy CalliesAll In For Citrus Podcast, hurricane, Research

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) recently received a large grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Michael Rogers provides details of the $16.5 million grant during the November All In For Citrus podcast. Rogers is the director of the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake …

More Disaster and Pandemic Aid From USDA

Josh McGillCOVID-19, hurricane

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Nov. 15 announced plans for additional emergency relief and pandemic assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA is preparing to roll out the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) Phase Two as well as the new Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program (PARP). The two programs help offset crop and revenue losses for growers. USDA is sharing early …

Ian, GMOs and Marketing Discussed at Citrus Commission Meeting

Josh McGillFlorida Citrus Commission, hurricane, Marketing

Many media inquiries about Florida citrus following Hurricane Ian were addressed by Florida Department of Citrus marketing agency Edible. Alex Armentano of Edible told the Florida Citrus Commission during its October meeting that the agency worked closely with Florida Citrus Mutual and other partners to respond to media requests. Edible worked with partners to create materials and messaging and to …

Managing Pest and Predatory Mites in CUPS

Josh McGillCUPS, Pests, Tip of the Week

By Emilie Demard Mites are pests of economic importance in traditional groves and citrus under protective screen (CUPS). Results from a two-year survey in CUPS at the Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC) in Fort Pierce, Florida, showed that the citrus rust mite and the citrus red mite populations can reach high levels resulting in leaf and fruit damage. …

Sneak Peek: December 2022 Citrus Industry

Tacy CalliesNutrition, Regulation, Sneak Peek

Need the latest nutrient recommendations for growing citrus in Florida? Find updates for nutrient best management practices in the December issue of Citrus Industry magazine. The article, by Kelly Morgan, Davie Kadyampakeni and Tripti Vashisth, details recently approved recommendations for secondary macronutrients and micronutrients. The new advice is based on University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) …

California Psyllids Carrying HLB Bacterium in Groves

Tacy CalliesCalifornia Corner, Psyllids

An ongoing study in coastal Southern California citrus groves has found that just over 3.5% of Asian citrus psyllids (ACP) tested are carrying the bacterium that can cause HLB. ACP is the insect vector of HLB. Thus far, 138 of 3,000 adult ACP collected from 15 commercial citrus sites had some level of the bacterium present. The results were reported …

Consumers Like New Florida’s Natural Blend

Josh McGillOrange Juice

The addition of Mexican juice has not harmed the brand. Positive taste results have been reported for Florida’s Natural orange juice (OJ) since the brand started adding Mexican from-concentrate OJ to its juice. Florida’s Natural Growers (FNG) Chairman Frank M. Hunt III, addressing the cooperative’s annual stakeholders’ meeting recently, said consumers and taste panels have offered the positive input. The …

Display Day Draws Good Crowd

Josh McGillFresh, Orange Juice, Varieties

Fruit display days are an integral part of the citrus breeding process. The evaluations provided by participants give important feedback on the taste, appearance, texture and overall desirability of the fruit sampled whether it be for juice or the fresh market. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) hosted a display on Nov. 14 at the …

Pruning Recommendations and Benefits

Josh McGillPruning

By Mongi Zekri Pruning is an important grove practice that increases sunlight penetration within the tree canopy. Sunlight enhances flowering, fruit quality and color development. Sunlight also allows foliage to dry quickly after a rain shower, which reduces problems of fungal diseases. Pruning trees can improve fruit quality and increase fruit size. However, tree response to pruning depends on scion …

Gibberellic Acid May Help Citrus Trees After a Hurricane

Josh McGillAll In For Citrus Podcast, hurricane

In the latest episode of the All In For Citrus podcast, ways to mitigate damage from Hurricane Ian are discussed by researchers from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). While extensively damaged trees are likely lost, those that experienced less damage can be helped in the recovery process. Tripti Vashisth, UF/IFAS associate professor of horticultural …

Florida Citrus Industry Dodges Bullet With Hurricane Nicole

Josh McGillhurricane

When Hurricane Nicole formed off Florida’s east coast, citrus growers held their collective breath after the beating they took in late September from Hurricane Ian. Nicole made landfall just south of Vero Beach on Nov. 10. Winds near hurricane strength were recorded at multiple weather stations as Nicole came ashore, including 75 miles per hour (mph) in Port St. John and …

Ian/Nicole Overlap Complicates Loss Assessments

Josh McGillEconomics, hurricane

Nicole, which came ashore as a hurricane on Nov. 10 before weakening to a tropical storm, impacted much of the same Florida land area that Hurricane Ian damaged in late September. Christa Court, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Economic Impact Analysis Program, says due to that overlap, the data her team references …

Oswalt Earns Extension Mentor of the Year Award

Josh McGillAwards, extension

By J. Scott Angle, jangle@ufl.edu, @IFAS_VP Of all the things Chris Oswalt has delivered for the citrus industry — weather data, freeze-protection advice, Extension programming — his most valuable contribution might be his mentorship of a new generation of citrus agents. GUIDING CAREERSYou likely wouldn’t have Danielle Sprague assisting a cold-hardy citrus association in North Florida were it not for …

Florida’s Natural Announces Grower Returns and Officers

Josh McGillIndustry News Release, Orange Juice

Florida’s Natural Growers’ round orange pool for last season paid an average of $3.50 per pound solid, Chief Financial Officer Matthew Woodall announced at the cooperative’s recent annual stockholders’ meeting. Early and midseason oranges paid a combined $3.42 per pound solid, and Valencia oranges paid a combined $3.55 per pound solid. Tangerines paid an average of $2.60 per pound solid, …

Citrus Breeding Discussed During Field Day

Josh McGillBreeding, CUPS, Fresh

The focus of citrus breeding at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) differs for fruit produced for the juice market vs. fruit for the fresh market. Citrus breeder Jude Grosser, a UF/IFAS professor of plant cell genetics, spoke during the Cold-Hardy Citrus Field Day at the North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy on …

$21.7 Million for HLB Research

Josh McGillHLB Management, Research

Seven entities recently received $21.7 million to conduct research into combating and preventing HLB at the farm level. The funding is from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Extension program. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) received the majority of the funding, more …

Two Types of EQIP Assistance Available

Josh McGillhurricane

Florida agricultural landowners and growers with damages caused by Hurricane Ian can apply for emergency and general assistance through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP). NRCS can provide payments, through conservation program contracts, for EQIP conservation practices that address disaster-related resource concerns on agricultural land. NRCS is issuing EQIP early start …

Wang Honored for HLB Research

Josh McGillAwards

Nian Wang, a University of Florida (UF) Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences professor, has been awarded one of the school’s 2022 Inventions of the Year for his work on HLB. Wang works in the Microbiology and Cell Science Department at the Citrus Research and Education Center. He worked on controlling HLB by mitigating cell death of the phloem tissues …