From Planning to Planting: Establishing New Groves in the Presence of HLB

Tacy Callies Citrus

By Ute Albrecht Despite the constant threat of huanglongbing (HLB), most growers remain optimistic and are replanting citrus trees to maintain production levels necessary for sustaining the industry. The tax incentive bill under the Emergency Citrus Disease Response Act introduced in December 2015, if implemented, will help growers get back expenses associated with replanting of diseased trees immediately, instead of …

Sneak Peek: November 2016 Citrus Industry Magazine

Tacy Callies Citrus

The November issue of Citrus Industry magazine will be available to readers soon. It features the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s initial citrus crop forecast for the 2016–17 season. The article includes coverage of the grower gathering at the Dark Hammock Legacy Ranch and industry reactions to the 70 million orange boxes figure. Two features in this issue focus on citrus …

California Citrus Challenges: Water Tops HLB

Josh McGill Citrus

Asian citrus psyllids are detected sporadically in the San Joaquin Valley — home to most California oranges and mandarins — and are endemic in Southern California lemon country. But as far as anyone knows, the pests that spread HLB in Florida and Texas have not spread the disease into California’s commercial citrus groves. California HLB detections have been limited to 17 …

Q-Biotype Whitefly Expands to 8 Florida Counties

Kelsey Fry Uncategorized

The Q-biotype whitefly, a significant pest that could damage agriculture, has spread from Palm Beach to seven other Florida counties, according to a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researcher. Crops that could eventually be affected include tomatoes, squash, beans, watermelons and many other vegetables and ornamentals, said Lance Osborne, an entomology professor at UF/IFAS. The …

The Latest Buzz on Honeybees

Kelsey Fry Citrus

There’s a renewed buzz in honeybee research when it comes to problems within the hive. AgNet Media’s Sabrina Hill talks with a bee care program leader and a bee researcher.  Hear the full report here: The Buzz on Honeybees New research shows more threats to honeybees. There is a lot of talk in the general public about pesticides and bees. …

Citrus Industry Magazine Has New CEU Article Available

Kelsey Fry CEU, 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 …

CAST Award Recognizes Dr. Kevin Folta

Josh McGill Citrus

CAST Award Recognizes Dr. Kevin Folta for Excellence in Science Communication WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) announced that the 2016 Borlaug CAST Communication Award will be given to Dr. Kevin Folta, chair of the Horticultural Sciences Department at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Dr. Folta is renowned for his …

Metalized Mulch

Josh McGill Citrus, Citrus Greening

Big boost in young tree growth and yield from insecticides and metalized mulch By Phil Stansly, Scott Croxton and Joby Sherrod With yields dropping in Florida and Brazil, the decision to replant is not an easy one. Still, prospects for eventual success of new plantings are better now than ever in the last 10 years. Think about it: 1) Asian …

Discussing Genetic Engineering With a Concerned Public

Josh McGill Citrus

By: Kevin Folta Our farm producers have brought unprecedented low-priced, safe food to the United States and the world. Despite the success, there are challenges to sustained production that may best be solved with genetic engineering. These technologies have proven safe and effective for almost two decades, mostly in the arena of high-acreage agronomic crops like corn, soy and cotton. …

What to Consider When Putting a New Grove in Place

Josh McGill Citrus, Water

By: Mongi Zekri There is a high degree of planning and preparation that goes into making a new citrus tree planting successful. Site preparation, installation of an irrigation system, selection of varieties and rootstocks, tree spacing, purchasing trees from reputable nurseries, and tree planting and care are all important. Site Preparation The planting site should be well prepared. Soils at …

CEU CENTRAL

Earn continuing education units (CEUs) through Citrus Industry. Each article grants one 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. The following series of articles and tests are available with their expiration dates noted: 2024 #1: Scouting Tools and Tactics …

EPA Releases Preliminary Risk Assessment

expoadmin Citrus

EPA Releases Preliminary Risk Assessment for Insecticides Potentially Harmful to Bees From the Environmental Protection Agency: WASHINGTON– The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a preliminary pollinator risk assessment for the neonicotinoid insecticide, imidacloprid, which shows a threat to somepollinators. EPA’s assessment, prepared in collaboration with California’s Department of Pesticide Regulation, indicates that imidacloprid potentially poses risk to hives when …