Letter to the Editor: A Citrus Industry Ombudsperson

Tacy CalliesLetter to the Editor

By Bill Castle University of Florida professor emeritus During a recent breakfast with an industry friend, I asked: What is your outlook on the future of our industry? His positive reply was direct and immediate. He expanded on that reply by revealing a realistic confidence in the ability of growers to plant and grow young trees as supported by his …

Solace Found in Initial Citrus Crop Forecast

Josh McGillCrop Forecast

A bit of weight was lifted off of Florida citrus growers’ shoulders after hearing the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s initial 2016–17 Florida citrus crop forecast that calls for 70 million boxes of oranges. Citrus industry members gathered at Florida Citrus Mutual’s Political Action Committee Clay Shoot and Crop Estimate Luncheon to hear the live forecast from Southeast AgNet. The event, …

PFD control

Postbloom Fruit Drop Control: Timing Is Key

Ernie NeffCitrus Expo, Citrus Greening, PFD

Timing of fungicide sprays is the key to controlling the postbloom fruit drop (PFD) that caused many Florida citrus growers severe problems this year. That was a central message that University of Florida researcher Natalia Peres delivered at Citrus Expo this summer. In this interview, Peres discusses the keys to proper spray timing, starting with bloom. Peres says longer bloom …

orange production costs

Singerman on Orange Production Costs and CHMA Participation

Ernie NeffCitrus Expo, Citrus Greening, Economics

Southwest Florida citrus growers are now spending about $2,327 per acre to grow oranges, University of Florida economist Ariel Singerman said in a Citrus Expo presentation in August. “This is a decrease in cost of about 4 percent compared to last year,” Singerman says in this report. He explains the reason for the production cost decrease: “It is no longer …

putnam talks citrus

Adam Putnam: Citrus Industry ‘Still Blocking and Tackling’

Ernie NeffBactericides, Citrus Greening

“We’re an industry who’s a group of fighters,” Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam says in summarizing his talk Friday at the Indian River Citrus League’s annual meeting in Vero Beach. “With all the challenges that we’ve seen here on the River – from canker to hurricanes and the devastation caused by greening – we’re still blocking and tackling and …

Jim Graham Awarded Researcher of the Year

Josh McGillWater

Jim Graham, soil microbiologist for the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, was recognized at the 73rd annual Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) convention for his years of service to the industry. Graham was named FFVA Researcher of the Year at the association’s award luncheon. His recent research has led to some major discoveries on the …

PFD, HLB, Crop

Peace River Growers Discuss Citrus Issues

Ernie NeffBactericides, Citrus Greening, PFD

Six citrus growers shared their views on a wide range of topics with about 50 fellow producers at a Peace River Valley Citrus Growers Association (PRVCGA) gathering Thursday in Bowling Green. PRVCGA Executive Director LeAnna Himrod, who posed questions for the panelists, summarizes the discussions by topic. Crop size: “I think that everyone’s expecting it to be lower than last …

florida citrus

Texas Citrus: Fruit Flies and Other Pesky Problems

Josh McGillGrapefruit

By: Ernie Neff  Mexican fruit flies were a major nuisance to Dale Murden this spring. “As a fresh fruit grower in south Texas, I have to say Mexican fruit fly is our biggest worry,” the citrus grower and president of Texas Citrus Mutual said. The fruit flies infested Texas’ three-county (Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy) citrus industry in November 2015, prompting …

citrus crop forecast

How to Irk the Crop Forecast Lady

Tacy CalliesForecast

Candi Erick is keenly involved in production of Florida’s citrus crop forecasts. She’s easy to get along with, but there is one way to get under her skin. By Ernie Neff If you want to irritate Candi Erick, whose primary job is overseeing data collection leading to Florida’s citrus crop forecasts, just tell her, “It’s good enough for government work.” …

October 2016 Citrus Industry Magazine Sneak Peek

Tacy CalliesCitrus

The October issue of Citrus Industry magazine is coming soon to your mailbox or in box! Many readers will recognize the subject of this issue’s cover story. Allen Morris has played several roles in Florida’s citrus industry during the past three decades. You may know Morris as an economist, business consultant, marketer or author. He shares his views on current …

bactericides survey

House Passes Citrus Tax Measure

Daniel CooperCitrus, Legislative

U.S. House Gives Citrus Tax Incentive Overwhelming Bipartisan Support The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a measure Wednesday that provides growers with an incentive to plant more trees and bolster the ailing Florida citrus industry. By a 400-20 vote, Republicans and Democrats approved the Emergency Citrus Disease Response Act which allows growers to immediately expense the cost of planting …

citrus congress

Browning Reports from the International Citrus Congress

Ernie NeffCitrus, Citrus Greening

The International Citrus Congress is taking place this week in Brazil. Scientists and citrus industry members from around the globe are gathering to learn the latest research not just on HLB, but on all aspects of citrus production. Florida is well represented at the event. Harold Browning, Citrus Research and Development Foundation chief operations officer, is among the attendees. Southeast …

citrus could recover

Hunt on Orange Production: Recovery Could Come Quickly

Ernie NeffCitrus Greening, Economics, Rootstocks

Florida Citrus Commission Chairman Ellis Hunt Jr. reacts to projections Wednesday that Florida’s orange production will likely be near current levels or possibly much lower in 10 years. He says existing growers and/or institutional investors could replant trees lost to HLB fairly rapidly if they believe trees can survive and produce fruit in the face of HLB. “I think we …

oranges worst case

Worst Case in 10 Years: Florida Orange Production at 27 Million Boxes

Ernie NeffCitrus Greening, Economics, Forecast

In the worst-case scenario projected by economists Wednesday, Florida orange production could plummet to 27 million boxes in 10 years. Florida orange production last season was 81.5 million boxes. As recently as the 2003-04 season, Florida produced 242 million boxes of oranges. Production declines are primarily caused by HLB, the deadly disease first discovered in Florida in 2005. But the …

hurricane

Hunt Discusses Citrus Acreage Reduction

Ernie NeffCitrus Greening, Economics

“I think it just continues to show … the effect of HLB,” citrus grower and Florida Citrus Commission Chairman Ellis Hunt Jr. says of the U.S. Department of Agriculture report that Florida citrus acreage fell 4 percent in a year. “I look forward to the day that the new groves going in the ground will offset the declining numbers.” Hunt …

bactericides survey

FCM Applauds House Ways and Means Committee for Passing Citrus Bill

Daniel CooperCitrus, Legislative

Florida Citrus Mutual on Wednesday applauded the House Ways and Means Committee for passing a measure that would provide growers with an incentive to plant more trees and bolster the ailing Florida citrus industry. Sponsored ContentA Simpler, Safer and More Effective Way to Fight HLBOctober 25, 20245 Facts About Fire Ants and How to Control ThemApril 30, 2024BRAZILIAN RESEARCH RESULTS …

Injecting Citrus Tree Trunks with Bactericide May Help Stem Greening

Josh McGillCitrus

By: Brad Buck GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A chemical treatment known as a bactericide could help preserve citrus trees from the potentially deadly and costly greening disease, a new University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) study shows. Citrus is estimated as a $10.9 billion-a-year industry in Florida and the finding could be key to helping the state’s …

Bactericide Survey Results Summary

Josh McGillBactericides, Citrus Greening

By Stephanie Slinski and Harold Browning (Editor’s note: Click on the graphs throughout the article to enlarge them.) Bactericides have been available to growers as a new tool to improve the health of HLB-infected trees since early March 2016. This use has been under a crisis declaration from the Florida commissioner of agriculture, but on August 15 of this year, …

Bactericide Research Appears Promising

Ernie NeffBactericides, Citrus Expo, Citrus Greening

U.S. Department of Agriculture scientist Bob Shatters updated Citrus Expo seminar attendees on results from ongoing bactericide research trials. He was among the many speakers who discussed tools for HLB in the seminar program. “The first year of applications, we were detecting reductions in the bacterial population of the plant,” Shatters said. “And we did see that continue after the …