The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), in partnership with Farm Credit, is seeking entrepreneurs to apply for the 2026 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. This national business competition showcases U.S. startup companies developing innovative solutions to challenges faced by America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on June 9. Access the …
Suicide Strategy Found for Weeds
Parasitic weeds are ruthless freeloaders, stealing nutrients from crops and devastating harvests. But what if growers could trick these invaders into self-destructing? Scientists at University of California, Riverside (UCR) think they’ve found a way to turn the weeds’ own biology against them. This trick is detailed in the journal Science. At its heart lies a class of hormones called …
Florida Southern College’s Malcolm Manners to Retire
Malcolm Manners, Florida Southern College (FSC) professor of citrus science and coordinator of the citrus and horticultural science program, will soon retire after 44 years at the college. Manners’ fascination with plants and horticulture started at a young age. “My parents were always gardeners, and I’ve had an interest in plants my whole life,” he said. After earning a bachelor’s degree …
Citrus Crop Forecast Shows Changes in All States
The April 10 citrus crop forecast from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA/NASS) showed increases for most citrus-producing states. FLORIDA In Florida, grapefruit and tangerine/mandarin crops climbed 8% and 14%, respectively. The Florida grapefruit crop increased by 100,000 boxes, to 1.3 million boxes. The tangerine/mandarin crop rose by 50,000 boxes, to 400,000 boxes. Florida’s orange crop …
European Earwig May Be Threat to U.S. Citrus
The European earwig (Forficula auricularia) has been in the United States for more than a century, thriving in all but the far southeastern states. The omnivorous arthropod has been noted as both a pest and as a beneficial insect, feeding on crops as well as on aphids. Recently, researchers have found evidence that suggests it also damages citrus groves, both …
PIECES OF THE PAST: Polk County Roots Run Deep
By Brenda Eubanks Burnette I was honored this year to be part of the Vero Heritage Center and Indian River Citrus Museum’s “Deeply Rooted” event, which was the kick-off for Indian River County’s Centennial Celebration. It made me think of this year’s Florida Citrus Hall of Fame inductees. They all have something in common with deep roots — Polk County! …
Bill to Improve Access to Disaster Assistance Reintroduced
U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack from Florida and colleagues recently reintroduced the bipartisan Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act. The act is aimed at removing barriers to agriculture disaster assistance for producers. The bill would provide farmers, ranchers and other agriculture producers with improved access to federal disaster assistance following natural disasters. Reps. Jimmy Panetta and Zoe Lofgren, both of California, …
Not If Georgia Will Get HLB, But When
Citrus greening disease, also known as huanglongbing (HLB), is not yet widespread in Georgia. However, there’s no reason to think that it won’t become more of a problem for the state’s citrus growers. Lindy Savelle, executive director of the Georgia Citrus Association (GCA), hopes it doesn’t happen but cautions growers about the disease’s potential beyond Florida. “Something we have to …
Forecast Favorable for Moroccan Citrus
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) has projected increased production of Moroccan oranges, orange juice (OJ) and lemons/limes in 2024–25 compared to the prior season. ORANGES For 2024–25, orange production in Morocco is expected to increase by 17%, reaching 960,000 metric tons (MT). Area planted is projected at 58,300 hectares, up from 58,200 hectares in 2023–24. USDA/FAS …
10-Year Forecast for U.S. Citrus Production
Total U.S. citrus production levels are projected to continue their long-term decline over the next several years before stabilizing through 2034, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It attributed that expected trend to declining orange and grapefruit production alongside increasing production of lemons and tangerines. The projections for all U.S. commodities are in USDA Agricultural Projections to 2034, …
Citrus Forecast Has Slight Changes
The March citrus forecast from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA/NASS) calls for slight increases in Florida’s orange and grapefruit crops compared to the prior season. Florida’s lemon and tangerine/mandarin forecasts were unchanged from February’s forecast. FLORIDA ORANGES The Florida all-orange forecast rose 1%, or 100,000 boxes, from the February forecast to 11.6 million boxes. The …
Cold-Hardy Growers Eyeing Juice Market
A low volume of fruit in the cold-hardy citrus region is being produced for the juice market. With the current market prices for juiced citrus, that number could increase in the near future. This topic was discussed during the recent Georgia Citrus Association annual meeting in Tifton. “With the prices today, there is a future for it,” said grower Kim …
Stay Vigilant About Virus Threat
By Ozgur Batuman and Amit Levy Citrus yellow vein clearing virus (CYVCV) was first reported on lemon and sour orange trees in Pakistan in 1988. Since then, the disease has been primarily restricted to Asian countries. However, CYVCV was more recently detected in dooryard citrus in California in 2022. While there is no indication that the virus is present in …
Florida Citrus Production and Exports in 2023–24
A recent report recapped Florida citrus production and exports in the 2023–24 season. The summary, Florida Citrus Statistics 2023–2024, was published by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Division of Fruits and Vegetables. The production statistics for Florida are official estimates of the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service. THE BREAKDOWN Oranges constituted 89% of the …
All Hands on Deck for Florida Citrus
By J. Scott Angle, jangle@ufl.edu, @IFAS_VP My 89-year-old father-in-law has planted new trees in his California grove in the last two years. Bruce Kelsey believes in the future of citrus, and that reinforces my belief in the future of citrus. I’m not saying everything Bruce does makes sense. I wish he didn’t still go up on ladders and pick fruit, …
Global Lemon/Lime Production to Decline
Global production of lemons and limes in 2024–25 is forecast to be down 651,000 tons, to 10.2 million tons, by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS). The decline is due to a drop in production in the European Union (EU) and Türkiye as a result of unfavorable weather and yields. Exports are forecast to rise with high …
Florida Crop Forecast Has Changes
The Feb. 11 citrus crop forecast, as reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA NASS), shows both decreases and an increase for Florida when compared to the January forecast. LESS ORANGESThe 2024–25 Florida orange forecast is 11.5 million boxes, down 500,000 boxes, or 4%, from the January forecast. If realized, this will be 36% less …
Lemon Production in Argentina
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) forecasts Argentine lemon production to decline to 1.38 million metric tons (MMT) in 2024–25. The prior year’s production was 1.45 MMT. The decline is primarily due to early and persistent rainfall during the blooming season, which is expected to negatively affect fruit quality. Additionally, many producers are shifting their focus …
$129.2 Million in Emergency Funds to Combat Fruit Flies
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is using emergency funding to respond to threats from growing outbreaks of exotic fruit flies. Outgoing U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack approved the transfer of $129.2 million from the Commodity Credit Corporation to APHIS to directly support emergency response efforts domestically and internationally. This funding will …
USDA Funds Citrus Projects
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an investment of more than $70 million in the Plant Protection Act program. This includes funding of 357 projects in fiscal year 2025. The work will strengthen the country’s defenses against plant pests and diseases, safeguard the U.S. nursery system, and enhance pest detection and mitigation efforts. Part of the funding is going …