The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) denied AgLogic Chemical LLC’s state pesticide registration application for the pesticide aldicarb on citrus crops in the state of Florida. Aldicarb is an N-methyl carbamate insecticide primarily used as a nematicide. Responsible for the worst known outbreak of pesticide poisoning in North America, aldicarb is one of 28 active pesticide ingredients …
Florida Water Policies for Agriculture
Water is the lifeblood of any farming operation. Many involved in the agriculture sector are working to do all they can to help Florida conserve water and make the most of this essential natural resource. Tatiana Borisova, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) water resource economist, gave an overview of the water-quality policies and programs in …
What to Do About Citrus Black Spot
By Megan Dewdney Citrus black spot is one of the newer diseases to worry Florida citrus growers. The fungal disease was first detected in Southwest Florida in 2010. The vast majority of finds have been in the southwestern citrus-producing counties of Collier, Hardee, Lee, Charlotte and Glades, but the disease has slowly moved northward. Black spot is still considered a …
Looking for Environmental Leaders
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is accepting nominations for the Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award. The award recognizes agricultural producers who demonstrate leadership in developing and implementing innovative techniques to safeguard the environment and conserve natural resources. Nominations must be submitted to FDACS by April 15, 2021. The nomination form and more information about the award can be …
Miss Florida Citrus Has a New Squeeze!
By Brenda Eubanks Burnette In January, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) hosted virtual “Florida Citrus Squeeze” events at elementary schools throughout Florida with Chef Paula Kendrick and Miss Florida Citrus Leila Sabet. The program was announced in December to Florida food service personnel and teachers that participate in the division’s Harvest of the Month Program. Participating …
New BMP Record-Keeping Requirements for Florida Growers
By Ajia Paolillo On July 1, 2020, new record-keeping requirements went into effect for nitrogen and phosphorus amounts applied by growers enrolled in the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Best Management Practices (BMP) program. These records are required due to the passage of Senate Bill 712, the Clean Waterways Act. Citrus growers have been asking many questions …
Sending Fresh Citrus out of Florida
By Mark A. Ritenour The holiday season is a busy time for sending friends and family thoughtful gifts. For Floridians, the abundance of fresh produce during the winter months motivates many to share the experience with others. This is especially true for fresh citrus. Florida’s citrus gift fruit shippers have been supplying such treats for decades. With COVID-19 and a …
Managing COVID-19 Risks in the Citrus Industry
By Joyjit Saha, Matthew Krug and Michelle D. Danyluk The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly changed so much. SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) is primarily transmitted person-to-person, with no evidence it is transmitted by food or food packaging, including citrus and citrus products. Managing COVID-19 among workers is extremely important. COVID-19 impacts on the health of employees can have catastrophic …
Keep Your Pesticide License Current
By Ajia Paolillo Do you hold a Florida restricted-use pesticide (RUP) license? With the new year approaching, this is a great time to review the continuing education units (CEUs) that you have earned toward the renewal of your RUP license. Your license comes up for renewal every four years, and it is easy to forget about this with everything we …
Worker Safety Resources Available in Spanish
Free online resources from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension put safety in the hands of Spanish-speaking agricultural workers and pesticide handlers. The Extension Farm Labor Education programs are part of UF/IFAS Extension Online Learning. For the first time, the Worker Protection Standard Train the Trainer (WPS TTT) certification course is available online in …
Florida Citrus Packers: South Africa Imports Pose Risk
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS) announced it is authorizing the importation of cold-treated fresh citrus from South Africa into all U.S. ports of entry. Previously, APHIS restricted the entry of cold-treated citrus fruit from South Africa to four U.S. ports that have cold-treatment facilities. APHIS scientists determined that citrus fruit from South Africa, …
The Effect of the Clean Waterways Act on Ag
The Clean Waterways Act (Senate Bill 712) was signed into law on June 30 by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The act discusses several mechanisms and provisions to protect waterways by reducing water pollution. It includes a few changes that directly affect the agriculture industry. The law requires the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) to perform onsite implementation verification …
Growers Want Aldicarb Again
Citrus growers told Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials why they want the insecticide aldicarb registered for use in Florida citrus, and discussed their problems with citrus greening. EPA cancelled the use of Temik, the Bayer brand name for aldicarb, on citrus at the end of 2011. Mike Aerts of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) said the Oct. 22 …
COVID-19 Testing for Hendry County Farmworkers
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) announced COVID-19 testing sites in Hendry County for farmworkers as the fall harvest season begins. The announcement follows COVID-19 testing for farmworkers that was made available earlier this month in Miami Dade, Hillsborough and St. Lucie counties. Testing is made possible by a partnership with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), the Florida Division of Emergency Management and local county governments. …
Sallin Named Woman of the Year in Ag
Veronique Sallin has been named the 2020 Woman of the Year in Agriculture, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) announced. The recognition is for women who have made exceptional contributions to Florida agriculture. Honorees come from throughout the agriculture community. “Ms. Sallin’s unique leadership, passion and commitment continue to influence and broaden markets …
Keeping Farmworkers Safe From COVID-19
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) experts are working with farmworkers to help keep them safe from COVID-19. The experts are connecting the farmworkers with COVID-19 free testing, safety information and training – a role they have been serving throughout the pandemic. Extension agents are partnering with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), …
Commissioner Fried on Citrus Forecast
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried offered the following statement on the initial citrus crop forecast for the 2020-21 season released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): “When Americans think of wellness and health, their thoughts turn to Florida orange juice and fresh citrus, especially during these unprecedented times. Despite the challenges that Florida’s citrus growers have faced as a …
COVID-19 Testing for Florida Farmworkers
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried announced new efforts to provide COVID-19 testing for farmworkers as the fall harvest season begins. The efforts are in partnership with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) and local county governments. Farmworkers will have access to numerous no-cost COVID-19 testing events in some …
COVID-19 Safety Video Series for Farmworkers
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) partnered with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) on a nine-part video series to provide guidance on COVID-19 safety precautions for farmworkers. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried said Florida’s farmworkers “face an elevated risk of respiratory illnesses like COVID-19, and often lack access to health resources …
New Potential Pest for Florida Citrus
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry (FDACS/DPI) recently issued a pest alert about snout scale (Florinia proboscidaria), a potential Florida citrus pest. The alert is aimed at preventing the pest’s introduction to and establishment in commercial citrus in Florida. “This is a heads up that we have a new potential pest to keep an …