The Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program in California recently detected sweet orange scab (SOS) in new areas of the state. Additionally, an unofficial lime swallowtail butterfly (LSB) sample was identified from Los Angeles County, and several LSB sightings have been reported in Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo counties. SWEET ORANGE SCABSOS is a cosmetic fungal disease that impacts …
Combating California Red Scale
California red scale (CRS) is one of the key pests for growers in the San Joaquin Valley, home to 75% of the state’s citrus production. CRS is a sap-sucking insect that attacks all parts of citrus trees. It causes dieback of branches, yield loss and downgrading of fruit. According to Sandipa Gautam, University of California assistant research entomologist at the …
Keeping HLB out of California Groves
The recent annual report from California’s Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program (CPDPP) offered insights into ways the state’s citrus industry has kept HLB out of commercial groves. Jim Gorden, chair of the group’s Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Committee, stated that the California industry has “invested countless hours, leveraged millions of dollars and created dozens of innovative partnerships” in …
Florida Grower Advises California on HLB
Pete Spyke, a Florida gift fruit citrus grower and shipper, recently offered some advice to California citrus growers for dealing with HLB. In a letter to California’s Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program, Spyke suggested that growers continue to detect and remove HLB-infected trees. Spyke’s letter follows: Dear California Citrus Growers, Based on my observations and discussions with growers and …
Scholarships From California Citrus Mutual
California Citrus Mutual (CCM) is offering agricultural scholarships to high school and college students looking to pursue careers in the industry. Over the last 25 years, the CCM Scholarship Foundation has awarded a total of $80,000 to 59 students. Casey Creamer, CCM president and CEO, said that supporting the next generation of agriculturalists is crucial for overall industry longevity. Having …
California Funding to Reduce Wildfire Threat
California citrus growers joined their fellow farmers and ranchers in suffering through the worst wildfire season in California history. Some groves were directly threatened by wildfire, and many were located in growing areas that were blanketed with smoke for weeks or months. Smoke exposure resulted in employee time loss due to respiratory illness, and an increase in asthma and allergy …
California Growers Needed for Thrips Study
Researchers from the University of California’s Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center are asking for help from industry members as they investigate citrus thrips. Thrips are a serious headache for citrus growers. They cause issues in all varieties of citrus, particularly in the San Joaquin Valley. Additionally, the pest has been known to rapidly develop resistance to management materials. Growers …
Coordinated Treatment Planned for California Citrus
Citrus growers and industry members recently gathered virtually to discuss the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) and huanglongbing disease (HLB) situation throughout the Central Valley of California. The reason for the concern is a negative trend seen in 2020. ACP DETECTION HISTORYACPs, the vectors for the disease, are widespread in Southern California where HLB-infected trees have been found. There are ongoing …
Wind Damages California Lemons
Wind damage sustained last week in California is still being assessed by county agriculture commissioners in San Diego and Ventura counties. However, damage appears to be limited to lemons and avocados. The wind damage was the result of a series of storms that swept through Southern California last week. The region experienced strong winds with gusts of nearly 100 mile-per-hour …
California Growers Reminded to Stay Alert
Jim Gorden, chair of the Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Committee (CPDPC), is greatly concerned about the increase in sporadic Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) detections across California. Gorden sent an open letter to all citrus growers asking them to increase their vigilance against the pest and the risk of citrus greening, known as HLB disease. He said that “While the …
ACP/HLB Management Survey for California
Researchers from Sacramento State and the University of California, Riverside are requesting input from citrus industry members to help examine the economics of Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) and huanglongbing (HLB) management in California citrus groves. The research team is looking for growers, advisors and other citrus industry members in California to provide input on overall knowledge of ACP and HLB, …
COVID-19 Emergency Standards for California
The California Department of Industrial Relations adopted emergency temporary standards to protect workers from hazards related to COVID-19. Pending approval by the Office of Administrative Law, the temporary standards will be in effect immediately. The emergency standards will undergo a lengthy review process before becoming permanent California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) standards. The temporary standards apply to …
Program to Protect California Ag Workers Expands Again
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announced that Yolo and Imperial counties are now included in the Housing for the Harvest program. This program provides temporary hotel housing for farm and food-processing employees to self-isolate if they have been exposed to COVID-19 and cannot properly self-isolate at home. Twelve counties are now participating in Housing for the Harvest: …
Sudden ACP Increase in California Worrisome
To the surprise and consternation of growers and officials, 74 Asian citrus psyllids (ACP) have been discovered in Kern County, California, since June. Local and state officials are concerned about the recent uptick in trappings and are working to find how extensively the infestation has spread. The trappings have been equally dispersed in residential and commercial citrus. Staff from the …
Quarantine Expansion for HLB in California
A quarantine expansion has been declared following the detection of the citrus disease huanglongbing (HLB, also known as citrus greening) in five residential citrus trees located in Rancho Cucamonga, California. This is the first time the disease has been confirmed in Rancho Cucamonga, marking the fifth city in San Bernardino County to have had a positive detection of HLB. California …
Navel Orange Estimate Released for California
The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service released the 2020-21 California Navel Orange Objective Measurement Report. The survey was conducted from June 15 to Sept. 1. Estimated fruit set per tree, fruit diameter, trees per acre, bearing acreage, and oranges per box were used in the statistical models to provide an estimate of crop production. Based on the …
California Introduces Housing for the Harvest
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that Housing for the Harvest is underway in Fresno and other Central Valley counties. This is a new program designed to provide temporary hotel housing options for farm and food-processing employees to self-isolate if they are COVID-19 positive and do not require hospitalization. The state is securing hotel rooms in participating counties like Fresno and …
Infected ACP Found in California Commercial Grove Is No Surprise
For the first time, an Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) carrying the bacteria which causes huanglongbing (HLB) was found in a commercial grove in Riverside County. While the discovery has prompted concern, University of California Riverside Extension Specialist Monique Rivera said that the find has been expected and is not all that surprising. “We’ve had positive trees removed here in Riverside, …
California Citrus Movement Rules Amended
The Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program, an agency of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), has revised the rules governing shipment of citrus within the state. The rules are in place to protect commercial citrus groves from the threat of huanglongbing (HLB) disease. Effective July 31, 2020, bulk citrus fruit may be shipped directly to a packinghouse …
California Ag Responds to COVID-19 Pressure
Now a COVID-19 hot spot, California agriculture has been working to protect its labor force from the pandemic. However, COVID-19 exposures have occurred and illness reports are on the rise. “Rising rates in the Central Valley are concerning. California is making $52M available to increase testing, contact tracing and quarantine efforts, and sending strike teams to four counties with increased …