FDOC Efforts Successful in Moving More Juice

Tacy CalliesOrange Juice

According to the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC), sales of 100 percent orange juice (OJ) continue to show promising results. In the 4-week period ending Aug. 1, average year-over-year sales of total OJ increased 21 percent with 32.64 million equivalent gallons sold, per the latest Nielsen retail sales report. Sales of not-from-concentrate (NFC) OJ increased 27 percent for the period. …

CRDF Looking at Peptide for HLB

Ernie NeffHLB Management

When news broke in July that University of California Riverside (UCR) scientists had found a peptide that might control HLB, Rick Dantzler quickly contacted lead UCR scientist Hailing Jin. Dantzler is chief operating officer of the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF), which was organized in Florida primarily to find ways to solve or cope with HLB. Jin had found …

World Orange Production to Fall

Ernie NeffCrop Forecast

Global orange production for 2019-20 is estimated to fall 7.8 million metric tons (MMT) from the previous year to 46.1 MMT, according to a July report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service. Consumption is forecast to be flat, though not down. Global trade is expected to be lower with an anticipated drop in exports from Brazil and …

Win a $200 Bass Pro Gift Card at Citrus Expo

Tacy CalliesCitrus Expo

The Citrus Expo and Vegetable & Specialty Crop Expo are coming to you this year! The popular annual events will be virtual to present information to growers in a safe way against the backdrop of COVID-19. Join us for the virtual event on Aug. 19–20 as we bring the citrus, vegetable and specialty crop (VSC) industries together in this new …

Where to Send Unsolicited Seed Packets

Tacy CalliesIndustry News Release

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has expanded the list of locations where the public can send unsolicited seed packets. Options for submitting reports online to APHIS or the state departments of agriculture have also been added. APHIS urges anyone who receives an unsolicited package of seeds to submit an online report and …

nutrition

Citrus Expo to Cover Wide Range of Production Topics

Tacy CalliesCitrus Expo

The Citrus Expo team and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) have joined forces to offer educational sessions in a virtual format for this year’s Citrus Expo. On Aug. 19–20, the 2020 seminar program will debut online at CitrusExpo.net at 9:30 a.m. Attendees will be able to watch videos of research presentations. With safety as …

Citrus Expo Seminar Schedule Now Available

Tacy CalliesCitrus Expo

Citrus Expo is coming to you this year! The popular annual event has gone virtual in order to deliver the information to growers that they need. On Aug. 19–20, the 2020 seminar program will debut online at CitrusExpo.net at 9:30 a.m. Attendees will be able to watch videos of the research presentations from their computer or cell phone. See the …

citrus

Global Orange Juice Production to Drop

Ernie NeffInternational, Orange Juice

Global orange juice production for 2019-20 is estimated to slip 23 percent from last season, to 1.6 million tons, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service. Much of the blame falls on Brazil and Mexico, where fewer oranges are expected to be available for processing. Worldwide orange juice consumption is projected to be flat, though not down. …

OJ May Help Lower Blood Pressure

Ernie NeffOrange Juice, Research

A growing body of scientific research shows that 100 percent orange juice (OJ), and its vitamins and minerals, may play a beneficial role in helping to lower blood pressure and other risk factors for heart disease. Recently, a randomized control study performed by researchers at Eurecat, Centre Tecnològic de Catalunya, in Reus, Spain concluded that 100 percent OJ and 100 percent OJ fortified …

PIECES OF THE PAST: Orange Blossoms and Brides

Tacy CalliesPieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette The orange blossom has been part of wedding culture for centuries. Incorporating orange blossoms into the bride’s trousseau originated in ancient China where the white blossoms represented purity, chastity, innocence and fertility. In the article, “To Gather Orange Blossoms – History of Wedding Flowers Bouquets,” Cornelia Powell wrote, “There are few trees so prolific as the …

Growers to Offer Trade Input

Ernie NeffTrade

The Trump administration will hold two hearings in August with seasonal produce growers to discuss foreign trade policies that may be harming farmers. The U.S. Trade Representative’s office, along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, recently announced the hearings planned for 9 a.m. Aug. 13 and Aug. 20. At the hearings, officials from the federal agencies will hear from farmers …

citrus

All In For Citrus Podcast, July 2020

Taylor HillmanAll In For Citrus Podcast, Sponsored Content

July’s All in For Citrus podcast episode focuses on online educational opportunities for growers as in-person events continue to get canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions. Citrus Research and Education Center Director Michael Rogers begins the program with an update on the phased reopening of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Rogers says more researchers are …

International Efforts to Market Florida Citrus

Ernie NeffMarketing

Samantha Lane, Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) director of global marketing, recently discussed international marketing highlights for Florida citrus products during the 2019-20 season. CANADAIn Canada, highlights included fresh Florida orange programs with juicing demos in Ontario grocery stores. The programs resulted in a sales increase. Issues management work took place to educate registered dietitians on the health benefits of …

china

OJ Federal Marketing Order Considered

Ernie NeffMarketing

The Indian River Citrus League (IRCL) recently reported on steps being taken to possibly create a federal marketing order for orange juice (OJ) to increase product demand. As background, the IRCL noted that the Citrus Administrative Committee (CAC) for decades has administered Federal Marketing Order 905 regulating the grade and size of fresh Florida citrus. The same order authorizes assessments …

oranges

Who Needs Grower Compliance Agreements?

Ernie NeffRegulation

Several growers recently asked the Highlands County Citrus Growers Association (HCCGA) if they need to sign a Grower/Caretaker Compliance Agreement (CA) they received from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). HCCGA Executive Director Ray Royce’s answer is essentially yes. He says state law requires all citrus growers and caretakers of 40 or more trees to sign a …

PIECES OF THE PAST: Selling Citrus on the Honor System

Tacy CalliesPieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette I recently came across a business reply card from Perrin & Thompson Groves of Winter Haven. I had heard of them since I grew up in Winter Haven but had never seen an advertisement like this one! The ad reads: “TRY THESE TREE-RIPENED ORANGES AND GRAPEFRUIT. Let us ship you on APPROVAL and at our expense …

Miss

Miss Florida Citrus 2020 Is Crowned

Ernie NeffAwards

Leila Sabet, 24, of Ponte Vedra Beach was crowned Miss Florida Citrus June 13 in the very first virtual Miss America preliminary pageant in Florida. Due to COVID-19, “the country closed down just two weeks prior to when this year’s pageant was scheduled to take place” so it was delayed and rescheduled as a virtual event, said Miss Florida Citrus …

Bill Aims to Prohibit Citrus Imports From China

Ernie NeffLegislative, Trade

Florida Congressman Greg Steube on June 11 introduced the U.S. Citrus Protection Act, legislation that would prohibit the importation of commercially produced fresh citrus fruit from China. “As farmers and ranchers in Florida and across the country are struggling to cope with the decreased demand for their products as a result of the economic shutdowns, more than ever we need to put …

Cost-Effective Psyllid Control Strategies

Ernie NeffPsyllids

Lukasz Stelinski makes the case that reducing HLB-spreading Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) populations improves tree health — even when trees already have HLB. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) entomologist offers several tips about psyllid control in a new presentation available online. Keeping ACP populations down seems to help yield, Stelinski states. His hypothesis is …

Deadline Coming Up for California Citrus Mutual Scholarships

Len WilcoxCalifornia Corner, Scholarship

California Citrus Mutual (CCM) awards three scholarships to students who are pursuing an education and future in the agricultural industry. The deadline to apply for the scholarships has been extended to June 30. The CCM High School Scholarship is given to a a qualified high school senior pursuing a continued education in an agriculture-related field. An eligible candidate must be …