HLB

Citrus Grower Addresses Bactericides for HLB, Production and Pricing

Ernie NeffCitrus, Citrus Greening

Wauchula citrus grower Kenny Sanders discussed on Wednesday the use of bactericides with HLB, production and pricing with more than 40 others at a grower roundtable in Wauchula. Like several other growers, he says his early-mid orange production was down this season (by 30 percent) while his Valencia crop was up 7 to 8 percent. “Pound solids were down everywhere,” …

PFD

PFD, Bactericides for HLB are Top Citrus Grower Concerns

Ernie NeffCitrus, Citrus Greening, Pests

Postbloom fruit drop (PFD), along with the use of bactericides to control HLB, were the big issues for more than 40 participants in a grower roundtable Wednesday in Wauchula. LeAnna Himrod, one of the roundtable hosts, summarizes the issues addressed. Regarding bactericides, she reports: “There were a lot of questions about the bactericides regarding timing: What’s the best time of …

Sneak Peek: June Citrus Industry Magazine

Josh McGillCitrus

The June issue of Citrus Industry magazine is coming soon. This edition is all about citrus beyond the Sunshine State. Readers will notice a new column in the magazine, called Global Perspectives, authored by a Brazilian citrus expert, Marcos Fava Neves. Ernie Neff, senior correspondent at large, examines the citrus industries in California and Texas. His articles include both challenges …

Citrus Department Proposes Staff, Tax Cuts

Kelsey FryLegislative

By Jim Turner THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA The Capital, Tallahassee – Florida citrus growers could save more than $11 million in taxes they pay on boxes of oranges and grapefruit under a proposed Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) budget that would trim jobs to meet the demands of a troubled industry. The department, which would see its staff shrink from 39 …

Deadline Approaching for Citrus Research Grants

Kelsey FryCitrus, Citrus Greening, Legislative

Pre-applications for the emergency Citrus Disease Research and Extension (CDRE) grants are available for fiscal year 2016. The estimated total program funding is $22 million, as a part of the third installment of the $125 million appropriated in the 2014 Farm Bill. To find a detailed summary of CDRE project eligibility criteria and application instructions, visit nifa.usda.gov and search “CDRE …

Essential Oil Could Help Prevent Citrus Black Spot

Kelsey FryCitrus, Citrus Greening

By: Robin Koestoyo FORT PIERCE, Fla. – Dipping fruit after harvest with hot water and essential oil dips may reduce postharvest development of citrus black spot (CBS) lesions per fruit by up to 50 percent, according to new University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research. The new management techniques are the result of Jiaqi Yan’s recently …

Citrus Industry Magazine Has New CEU Article Available

Kelsey FryCEU, Citrus

Earn one core continuing education unit (CEU) by reading the Citrus Industry article, “Safely storing pesticides,” and passing the accompanying test. The article, authored by University of Florida’s Stephen H. Futch, is now available online and will appear in the May 2016 issue of Citrus Industry magazine. This CEU will be valid for up to one year from the publication …

Heavy Department of Citrus Cuts Proposed

Josh McGillCitrus, Legislative

The Florida Citrus Commission discussed on Wednesday proposals for heavy cuts to the Florida Department of Citrus budget next season. Commission Chairman Ellis Hunt and department Executive Director Shannon Shepp discuss the projected budget for next year, the funding for it, personnel cuts and how the budget will proceed. Twelve large growers and several organizations recently requested drastic Sponsored Content5 …

New Citrus Label Digital Archives Available

Kelsey FryCitrus

James Cusick, curator for the P.K. Yonge Library of Florida History at the University of Florida Libraries, discusses new digital archives of citrus packaging labels that date back to the 1920s through 1970s. The labels, which were donated from the private collection of Jerry Chicone, are online for public viewing. Cusick explained how the digital archives are free to the …

Surviving Citrus Acreage May Offer Hope

Kelsey FryCitrus, Citrus Greening

The fact that much Florida citrus acreage has survived even as production has tumbled drastically in recent years could offer hope for the industry’s future, grower Larry Black says. Black, who is president of Florida Citrus Mutual, offered his comments on Monday at a citrus round-table hosted by Yara North America in Tampa. Sponsored Content5 Facts About Fire Ants and …

Citrus Growers Surveyed on Percent of Trees Infected

Josh McGillCitrus, Citrus Greening

Florida citrus growers: 80 percent of trees infected by greening By: Brad Buck, 352-294-3303, bradbuck@ufl.edu Source: Ariel Singerman, 863-956- 8870, singerman@ufl.edu GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida’s citrus growers say as much as 90 percent of their acreage and 80 percent of their trees are infected by the deadly greening disease, which is making a huge dent in the state’s $10.7 billion …

Effect of HLB: Citrus Land Sales Up, Prices Down

Kelsey FryCitrus

Increased citrus land sales in 2015 at substantially lower prices show some citrus growers, especially smaller ones, are capitulating to HLB, says Dean Saunders of Coldwell Banker Commercial Saunders Real Estate. Saunders’ company released the land sales data at its annual Lay of the Land Conference on Friday. Sponsored Content5 Facts About Fire Ants and How to Control ThemApril 30, …

Why Florida Citrus Will Survive HLB

Kelsey FryCitrus

Speaking at the Citrus Growers’ Institute in Avon Park on Tuesday, University of Florida genetics researcher Fred Gmitter asked the question, “Will Florida’s citrus industry survive HLB?” In an interview after his presentation, he gave several reasons why he thinks the citrus industry will not only survive HLB, but thrive. Sponsored Content5 Facts About Fire Ants and How to Control …

Per-Acre Prices of Florida Citrus Land

Josh McGillCitrus

Average per-acre prices of scores of citrus properties sold in 2015 are provided in this summary of the annual Lay of the Land Market Report prepared by Coldwell Banker Commercial Saunders Real Estate. The prices are for the Central Ridge, Flatwoods and Indian River areas. Prices are also provided for sales of former citrus land that went into other agricultural …

Miss Florida Citrus 2016 Crowned

Josh McGillCitrus

Miss Florida Citrus 2016 Was Crowned Last Weekend Contestants competed for the title of Miss Florida Citrus 2016 on March 19 in Winter Haven. The whole room grew silent as Summer Foley, Miss Florida Citrus 2015, prepared to announce the first-place winner. Miami’s Stephanie Capon was crowned the 2016 Miss Florida Citrus. Capon’s platform was Healthy HeARTbeats: Arts for Community …

Florida Citrus Hall of Fame Inductees

Josh McGillCitrus

Citrus Industry Legends Inducted into Florida Citrus Hall of Fame Friday, March 11, was the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame Celebration Luncheon, where a crowd of over 400 citrus community and industry members welcomed three new inductees into the Hall of Fame. The inductees are Dr. William S. “Bill” Castle of Lake Alfred, John C. “Jack” Norris of Palm City, …

bactericides survey

Update on the 2016-17 Citrus Appropriations and Legislation

Josh McGillCitrus

[nextpage title=”Update on Citrus Appropriations…”] Mike Sparks, executive vice president/CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM), distributed the following update on Florida citrus appropriations and legislation: Dear FCM Board and Members: I have some very positive news to share. The items/proposals/appropriations I’ve highlighted below have been approved by the Legislature and Governor Scott. This news came about quickly after our e-mail …

Future of Florida Citrus

Kelsey FryCitrus

Hope for the Future of Florida Citrus Anyone involved in the Florida citrus industry can speak of the hardships the industry has faced since HLB first appeared in the state in 2005. One member of the industry, who has stuck with it through thick and thin, offered his positive perspective on the future of the industry. Bill Castle, University of …

bactericides survey

Tallahassee Call to Action for Citrus Industry

Kelsey FryCitrus

Mike Sparks, executive vice president/CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM), distributed the following urgent request to the citrus industry today. Dear FCM Members and Friends: As you know, the budget process in Tallahassee is winding down. By any measure the Florida citrus industry had a tremendous 2016 session. With Governor Scott’s staff poring over the budget and sharpening his veto …

Citrus Industry This Week: Using Bactericides on Citrus; Crop Forecast Changes

Kelsey FryCitrus

Today’s issue of Citrus Industry This Week includes information on everything you need to know about bactericides and the results of the latest citrus crop forecast. Want to learn more? Click here to subscribe. Click here to subscribe to the monthly Citrus Industry magazine. Sponsored Content5 Facts About Fire Ants and How to Control ThemApril 30, 2024BRAZILIAN RESEARCH RESULTS IN …