The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is asking fruit growers in North Florida, Alabama and Georgia to take a survey about crop biostimulants. UF/IFAS will use the results to better help those growers with the use of biostimulants and direct future research and Extension education programs. Those participating in the anonymous survey are asked to …
Hurricane Activity Likely to Be Above Average in 2022
The last hurricane to cause major, widespread damage to Florida’s citrus industry was Irma five years ago, in September 2017. But growers should stay on alert this year, because Colorado State University (CSU) researchers are predicting an active Atlantic hurricane season in 2022. The CSU Tropical Meteorology Project team is predicting 19 named storms during the Atlantic hurricane season, which …
Farm Bill to Focus on Climate Change and Sustainability
The 2023 Farm Bill was one of the major themes of the recent Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference held at the University of Florida’s Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka. While in the early stages, discussions are already underway for next year’s farm bill. The federal legislation will lay out agricultural policy for the following five years. The direction …
Florida Legislature Supports Citrus
Matt Joyner, Florida Citrus Mutual’s (FCM) new chief executive officer and executive vice president, recently reported that FCM helped achieve substantial citrus industry support in the recent Florida legislative session. Following are citrus-related items that Joyner highlighted in the recently passed state budget: $8 million for the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) to continue basic research into HLB ($3 …
U.S. Lemon, Grapefruit and Tangerine Outlook
Lemons are the only U.S. citrus commodity forecast this season to exceed last season’s production levels, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service reported recently. At a projected 976,000 tons, lemon production is expected to be 10% higher than last season. Ninety-four percent of lemons commercially grown in the United States are from California. Despite the higher domestic production, …
Brazil Has Knowledge Needed to Manage HLB
Although a Fundecitrus researcher recently called the HLB situation in Brazil “alarming,” the organization says the industry has the knowledge needed to manage the disease. HLB is also known as citrus greening. “The management package exists and is efficient. The problem is that, in order to reduce costs, it is not applied rigorously, correctly and in an integrated manner,” said …
Growing Matters: Implementing Pollinator Protection Practices
The 2022 BeSure campaign from the Growing Matters Coalition is once again helping to support the implementation of practices focused on pollinator protection. “Pollinators have obviously taken a lead in the industry and how we can protect and steward that resource. This campaign is looking at how can we promote awareness for applications and protect pollinator safety out there,” said …
Assessing the Safety of a Water Distribution System
By Taylor O’Bannon, Matt Krug and Michelle Danyluk The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently proposed changes to the pre-harvest Agricultural Water (Subpart E) section of the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule (PSR). Removing the annual water distribution system inspection is not one of the proposed changes. Rather, water testing for generic E. coli and developing a microbial …
Phosphorus Recommendations and Soil pH Amendments
By Kelly T. Morgan and Davie Kadyampakeni Most information provided in the 2020 3rd edition of Nutrition of Florida Citrus Trees is still sound for healthy citrus trees under Florida production conditions. Past information on nutrients, application methods, leaf and soil sampling, and irrigation scheduling are also effective for management of huanglongbing (HLB)-affected trees. However, research conducted since HLB was …
Dealing With Diaprepes Root Weevils
By Ajia Paolillo Managing diaprepes root weevils in the grove is essential for root health and overall tree health. The most concerning root weevil for citrus growers is Diaprepes abbreviatus. Diaprepes larval feeding causes significant injury and damage to citrus root systems. LIFE CYCLE AND FEEDING Let’s begin with the life cycle stages of the diaprepes root weevils. Adults emerge …
Citrus Administrative Committee to Hold Nomination Meeting
A nomination meeting for the Citrus Administrative Committee (CAC) will be held via Zoom at 10 a.m. on April 21. The meeting may be accessed here. Nominations for all grower districts, as well as a shipper/handler meeting, will be conducted. The CAC Nominating Committee has offered a draft slate for consideration, but additional nominations are encouraged and can be offered …
Researcher: HLB Situation in Brazil Is ‘Alarming’
A decrease in the practice of eradicating HLB-infected trees is one of the reasons for increased HLB infections in Brazil, Fundecitrus researcher Renato Bassanezi stated recently. An HLB survey conducted by Fundecitrus pointed to an increase in the incidence of the disease in plants aged six to 10 years and over 10 years for the fifth consecutive year. That shows …
Gibberellic Acid Not Recommended in Spring for HLB Trees
By Tripti Vashisth Recent research has shown benefits of gibberellic acid (GA) application (monthly from September to January) in improving yield and canopy density of HLB-affected trees. These findings have caught the attention of Florida citrus growers. Many have indicated that they are applying GA in their groves as per the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences …
OJ Marketing Success Highlighted at Peace River Meeting
Members of Peace River Valley Citrus Growers Association gathered in Arcadia last week for their annual meeting and dinner. Updates were provided on association business, the state legislative session and citrus Extension activities. In addition, Samantha Lane, global marketing director for the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC), gave an insightful presentation on consumer purchasing habits and how orange juice (OJ) …
Florida Citrus Commission to Expand
On July 1, the Florida Citrus Commission will have additional members. A bill passed by the Florida Legislature in March revises the structure of the commission from three to six grower districts, with one grower member from each region. New requirements also call for at least one grower on the commission to have more than 5,000 acres. Growers can now …
Nutritional Lessons Learned From the Field and in the Wild
By Brad Turner In the 1970s, the majority of my family’s groves in Hillsborough, Polk and Hardee counties remained on a 25-foot by 25-foot setting or wider. Most of these “old school” blocks received several light cultivations in both directions, two fertilizations and two foliar sprays per season. These groves contained some of the most grand and bountiful trees in …
Disaster Assistance Addressed at Florida Ag Conference
How the government provides support to growers after disasters remains a challenge. Disaster assistance was one of the topics discussed at the recent Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference held at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka. Agencies like the U.S. Department of Agriculture are struggling with the best …
Tip of the Hat to University of Florida Citrus Graduate Students
During the March All In For Citrus podcast, Michael Rogers, director of the Citrus Research and Education Center, gave props to graduate students in the citrus program at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). There are 65 students currently enrolled in the program carrying out their studies across the state. “Graduate students play a huge …
Fight Fire Ants to Protect Groves, Trees and Workers
At Central Life Sciences, we recognize our role in educating citrus growers on the importance of protecting their citrus investment from fire ants. Our solutions provide growers with effective and economical products. For citrus growers looking to protect and grow their investment, it is important to not overlook the threat of fire ants. Fire ants are a common insect threat …
PIECES OF THE PAST: The Gate City of South Florida
By Brenda Eubanks Burnette In 1870, Gen. Henry Shelton Sanford purchased 23 square acres of land west of Mellonville, Florida, through the Sanford Grant from Spain. He planned a new city that he called The Gate City of South Florida, which he believed would become the transportation hub for Florida. In 1877, the city of Sanford was incorporated, and Mellonville …