CRDF

Seeking Injection Alternatives and Additions

Josh McGillCRDF, HLB Management, Research

The Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) approved three new projects during its September board of directors meeting. The projects will test the injection of different antimicrobial materials to treat HLB. One project will be managed by Ozgur Batuman, a citrus pathologist with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Another will be run by Kranthi …

Imports From Japan Would Pose Pest Risk

Josh McGillExport/Import, International, Regulation

A federal pest risk assessment for the importation of fresh citrus from Japan has identified the Japanese orange fly (Bactrocera tsuneonis) as posing a high risk of introduction into the United States. The 120-page assessment was prepared by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS). The agency assessed the risk of scores of insects, …

Three New Citrus Releases From UF/IFAS

Josh McGillVarieties

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center breeding program has released three new scion cultivars in the last year. These cultivars provide opportunities for diverse segments of the Florida citrus industry, including nurseries catering to the home landscape marketplace. The new releases demonstrate the value of a broad-based breeding program to …

Commissioner Simpson Presents Priorities at Expo

Josh McGillCitrus Expo

The Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo ventured into new territory this year — literally. After three decades at the Lee Civic Center in Fort Myers, this year’s event was held at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. There were several factors forcing the move this year, including damage to the Lee Civic Center from Hurricane Ian. With a new facility …

PIECES OF THE PAST: What’s a Name Got to Do With it?

Josh McGillPieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette I recently received Waverly Growers Cooperative’s 50th Golden Anniversary booklet (1914–1964) from a reader. One of the things I found interesting was how the town of Waverly was formed, and how various places in the area got their names. Between 1882 and 1884, W.B. Campbell, Asa Gibbons and F.W. Ohlinger homesteaded in a stopping place for …

Biopesticide Products Patented

Josh McGillPesticides

Research by Rhodes University PhD graduates Tamryn Marsberg and Michael Jukes has led to the patent of two viral-based products. MultiMax and CodlMax are alternatives to chemical pesticides on citrus, apples and litchi. The advantage of these products includes their lack of non-target effects; the pest is controlled without harming the environment. The products could assist with control of the …

Sallins Receive John T. Lesley Award

Josh McGillAwards

Florida Citrus Packers recently presented IMG Citrus founders Michel and Veronique Sallin with the organization’s highest recognition, the John T. Lesley Award. The presentation was made at the fresh fruit industry’s annual Citrus Packinghouse Day. The award is for individuals making sustained and outstanding contributions to Florida’s fresh citrus industry. IMG Citrus operates more than 11,000 acres of citrus groves …

Tau Fruit Fly Quarantine Expanded

Josh McGillCalifornia Corner, Pests, Regulation

Federal and state agriculture agencies on Aug. 15 expanded the Zeugodacus tau fruit fly quarantine in the Stevenson Ranch area of Los Angeles County, California. The action was taken by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). The expansion was in response to the confirmed …

Worldwide Citrus Production Down in All Categories

Josh McGillCrop Forecast, International

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) recently estimated that world citrus production is down for oranges, mandarins, orange juice (OJ), grapefruit and lemons/limes. For all categories, production will be lower in 2022–23 than in the prior year. OJGlobal OJ production for 2022–23 is estimated 9% lower to 1.5 million metric tons (MMT). Production is down due …

Citrus Hall of Fame Nominations Needed by Nov. 1

Josh McGillAwards

The nomination deadline for potential 2024 inductees into the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame is Nov. 1, 2023. Nominations received after that date will be considered for the following year. Eligible nominees are distinguished leaders who made significant contributions to the Florida citrus industry in any of the following fields: pioneering, harvesting, packing, processing, marketing, science and/or education. Nomination forms …

PIECES OF THE PAST: The Power of Pictures

Josh McGillMiss Florida Citrus, Pieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette This year, John Fuller, the new global marketing manager for the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC), and Matt Joyner, executive vice president/chief executive officer of Florida Citrus Mutual, served on the panel of judges for the Miss Florida Citrus/Miss Winter Haven Competition. It was interesting to introduce them both to this iconic, grassroots promotional program that …

Peru

Global Mandarin Production Declining

Josh McGillCrop Forecast, International, Mandarins

Global production of tangerines/mandarins for 2022–23 is estimated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) to be 36.9 million metric tons (MMT), down 900,000 metric tons (MT) from the prior year. China production, which accounts for almost 72% of global tangerine/mandarin production, is estimated to be down 2% to 26.5 MMT due to lower yields. European …

Less Global Orange Production

Josh McGillCrop Forecast, International

Global orange production for 2022-23 is estimated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) at 47.8 million metric tons (MMT), 5% less than the prior year. Lower production in the European Union, Turkey and the United States is only partially offset by a larger crop in Egypt. U.S. production is estimated to drop by over a …

South African Grapefruit Production Up

Josh McGillCrop Forecast, Grapefruit, International

South African grapefruit production is forecast at 420,000 metric tons (MT) for 2022–23 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS). That’s up slightly from prior-year grapefruit production of 416,000 MT. ACREAGE AND VARIETIESSouth Africa’s planted grapefruit area has grown by 18% over the past seven years, mainly driven by a surge in global demand, especially in …

South Africa Mandarin Production to Grow

Josh McGillCrop Forecast, International, Mandarins

Tangerine/mandarin production in South Africa is forecast by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) to grow by 6% in 2022–23 to 680,000 metric tons (MT). There is a growing trend to establish new orchards under netting, which has improved water efficiency, yields and the overall quality of mandarins in South Africa. INCREASED PLANTINGSThe South African tangerine/mandarin …

orange

Outlook for Brazil’s 2023–24 Orange Crop

Josh McGillBrazil, Crop Forecast

The total Brazilian orange crop for 2023–24 is forecast at 410.6 million 40.8-kilogram boxes, a decrease of 1.1% from last season, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) reported recently. The commercial area of the state of São Paulo and the western part of Minas Gerais should produce 309 million boxes, a decrease of 1.55% from last …

Brazilian

Brazilian OJ Exports to United States Surge

Josh McGillBrazil, Orange Juice

Brazil is the world’s leading exporter of orange juice (OJ) and accounts for nearly 80% of the OJ marketed in the world. For every five cups of orange juice consumed, almost four are produced in Brazil. According to the Institute of Agricultural Economics, in the first four months of the year, São Paulo exported $682 million in juice, of which …

Tau Fruit Fly

First Tau Fruit Fly Quarantine in Western Hemisphere

Josh McGillCalifornia Corner, Pests, Regulation

A portion of Los Angeles County has been placed under quarantine for the Tau fruit fly (Zeugodacus tau group) following the detection of more than 20 flies in the unincorporated area of Stevenson Ranch, near the city of Santa Clarita. The fly has a very wide host range, including numerous citrus varieties as well as a select range of native …

A Guide to Safe, Effective Pesticide Use

Josh McGillCEU, Pesticides

By Danielle S. Williams Editor’s note: This article grants one continuing education unit (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. Pesticides are vital tools in agriculture that help protect crops from pests and diseases. Pesticide use must be managed …

UF/IFAS Educational Programs at Expo

Josh McGillCitrus Expo, Education

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus researchers and Extension staff will provide multiple educational programs at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo Aug. 16–17. The event will be held at a new location this year — the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. Attendance is free to growers, but registration is required. UF faculty and staff …