U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue is formulating a response to concerns about the import of fresh citrus from China being allowed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), according to Florida citrus industry representatives. Florida Citrus Packers Executive Vice President Peter Chaires and Florida Citrus Mutual spokesman Andrew Meadows, however, did not know when the response would be issued. …
How to Keep Your Irrigation System Properly Maintained
By Davie Kadyampakeni and Arnold Schumann Irrigation system maintenance is critical for proper and efficient delivery of water in citrus and other irrigated crops. A well maintained and functional irrigation system will deliver the required amounts of water to the root zone when needed and help growers optimize crop production. If an irrigation system is not working optimally, crops can …
Citrus Scientist Succeeds at Working From Home
University of Florida scientist Christopher Vincent is used to working with the unknown to learn new grove management practices. As a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences plant physiologist, Vincent works to discover how citrus trees can thrive under stressful conditions. Now, during the coronavirus stay-at-home recommendations, he’s applying those skills in a whole new experience — …
Italian Grower Tackles Nematodes, Naturally
Italian citrus grower Giovanni Battista Spanò will combat the citrus nematode, Tylenchulus semipenetrans, with natural methods involving sowing and green manure of the radish cultivar Defender. The nematodes cause slow decline of citrus. “Nematodes and fungal diseases of the soil are a problem that can be easily solved without using harmful chemical products,” says Spanò. “We can just exploit the …
New Citrus Greening Treatment Shows Promise
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers have discovered another possible solution to the plague of citrus greening that is impacting Florida’s citrus groves. This new information adds to the growing portfolio of knowledge that UF/IFAS scientists are amassing to fight the disease. Led by UF/IFAS microbiology and cell science professor Claudio Gonzalez, a team of plant …
Fresh Florida-Grown Citrus Sales to Increase
Even with a projected downturn in production, “fresh citrus movement is projected to increase as a result of new plantings and other favorable conditions,” a Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) official reported recently. Florida Citrus Packers, the trade association for fresh fruit packers and shippers, agreed. Marisa Zansler, FDOC director of economic and market research, noted that the production forecast …
COVID-19 Agriculture Loans Available
The Small Business Administration (SBA) on May 4 announced that agricultural businesses are now eligible for SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and EIDL Advance programs. The loan availability is a result of funding authorized by Congress through the Paycheck Protection Program and Healthcare Enhancement Act. The legislation, signed into law by President Donald Trump, provides additional funding for farmers …
Citrus Industry Magazine CEU 2020 Article #2
Avoiding harmful effects of pesticides By Juanita Popenoe Editor’s note: This article grants one continuing education unit (CEU) in the Core category toward the renewal of a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services restricted-use pesticide license when the accompanying test is submitted and approved. Pesticides can have harmful effects on people, animals and the environment. The government tests and …
Payne on Past, Present and Future of Florida Citrus
Jack Payne, head of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), looks at the past, present and future of Florida citrus. He has been in the role of senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources since 2010 and is slated to retire on July 1. “Of course, citrus is the iconic industry in Florida,” which …
Yoho: Halt Imports From Mexico and Beyond
Florida Congressman Ted Yoho on April 28 asked President Donald Trump to temporarily halt imports of all Mexican, Central American and South American food products. He cited “unprecedented circumstances due to the coronavirus pandemic” in asking the President to invoke a force majeure motion to stop the importation. Force majeure is defined as an event that can’t be anticipated or …
Updated Citrus Nutrition Guide Helps Growers Manage Greening
Florida citrus growers hit hard by citrus greening can benefit from University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) expertise in an updated book — the third edition of the Nutrition of Florida Citrus Trees. Greening, known scientifically as huanglongbing (HLB), has caused significant damage to Florida’s citrus industry. UF/IFAS scientists and Extension faculty have updated the guide …
Diversifying Income on Citrus Farms
By Sarah Bostick Citrus growers are finding the need to diversify their marketing channels to stay competitive. Consumers are increasingly interested in learning about where their food comes from. It can be good business to diversify into markets designed to capture the attention of these consumers. CONNECTING WITH CONSUMERSTim and Hiedi Brown are third-generation owners of Brown’s Grove in Sarasota …
The Economics of Mesh Bags for Protecting Young Citrus Trees
By Ariel Singerman The use of mesh bags has been proposed as a strategy for excluding Asian citrus psyllids to protect young citrus trees. The expected benefit of using mesh bags is increased yield by delaying HLB infection. A scientific experiment to evaluate the effectiveness of mesh bags started in February 2018. There are still many unknowns regarding yield, use …
How Arizona Has Avoided HLB
Although the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) is found in Arizona at very low levels, the devastating huanglongbing (HLB) disease, also known as citrus greening, is not. John Caravetta, associate director of the Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA), discussed successful efforts to control the psyllid and prevent HLB from infecting orchards. Caravetta reported that “AZDA is conducting trapping for ACP in …
Tips for Citrus Grove Sellers
By Brian Beasley Current sellers of citrus groves are usually seasoned growers. They understand and practice the best horticultural activities based on a grove’s income potential. If the grove is profitable, they usually provide premium caretaking. If the grove is not profitable, growers may augment cash flow needs to ensure relatively healthy trees capable of setting a good crop. Sometimes …
Georgia Also Opposes China Citrus Imports
Like several organizations in Florida, the Georgia Citrus Association (GCA) has asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to reverse its decision to allow fresh citrus from China into the United States. GCA President Lindy Savelle asked for the reversal and expressed “strong opposition” to the April 15 USDA decision in an April 17 letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture …
USDA Relaxes Country of Origin Labeling Rules
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is exercising enforcement discretion for a temporary period to provide flexibilities to the Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) requirements. USDA is allowing the redistribution of food products intended for food-service markets to be sold in retail establishments. COOL is a labeling law that requires retailers to notify their customers with information regarding where certain foods originated. …
Surveys on Pandemic’s Impacts to Florida Ag
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) will conduct surveys to better understand how measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 are impacting Florida agriculture and marine industries. Faculty from the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics (FRE) department are deploying surveys to UF/IFAS Extension agents and industry professionals to capture this important information. Citrus growers and …
Reactions Vary on China Citrus Imports
Representatives of the California and Florida fresh citrus industries had distinctly different reactions to the announcement that some fresh citrus from China can now be imported into the United States. California Citrus Mutual President Casey Creamer said, “We don’t anticipate any major disruptions in our fresh markets. It is not anticipated that much volume will come to the U.S.” But …
Hemp Cultivation Applications Begin April 27
On April 6, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) filed its hemp cultivation rule for adoption, with the rule slated to become effective April 27. “FDACS will start accepting applications for cultivation on Monday, April 27, 2020, via FDACS.gov,” the agency announced. According to FDACS, it will not issue permits until it has U.S. Department of Agriculture …