Earn continuing education units (CEUs) through Citrus Industry. Each article grants one 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. The following series of articles and tests are available with their expiration dates noted: 2025 #4: Using Pesticides Safely (11/2/26) …
Disaster Relief Deadline Extended; Farmer Flexibility Increased
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending the deadline for farmers to apply for Stages 1 and 2 of the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) to Sept. 30. Additionally, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is providing greater flexibility for farmers who experienced quality losses on eligible crops. When applying for this program, farmers who experienced quality-related discounts can use verifiable and reliable documentation to …
Brix Basics for Citrus Growers
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) recently published “Brix Basics: Where Plant Sugars Come From and Why They Matter.” Edwin Gutierrez Rodriguez, UF/IFAS citrus Extension agent for DeSoto, Hardee and Manatee counties, authored the article. Edited excerpts follow: Degrees Brix is the measurement of the total dissolved solids in a liquid, based on how much …
New Product Registered to Aid in the Fight Against Citrus Greening
Silvec Biologics Inc. has announced that its RNA-based therapy-delivery product is registered for unconditional commercial use under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. The product is registered under the name Construct CTV-SoD2. “A new tool is now available to help strengthen citrus tree health and support the future of Florida’s citrus industry,” said Matt Joyner, executive vice …
CRAFT Now Accepting Applications
The Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation has announced that applications are now open for Traditional New Plantings Cycle Eight and Existing Tree Therapies (ETT) Round Five. TRADITIONAL NEW PLANTINGS This program evaluates grower-selected rootstock and scion combinations under commercial growing conditions. EXISTING TREE THERAPIES This program evaluates therapeutic treatments designed to improve the health and productivity of mature …
New Research Tool Could Speed Search for HLB Treatments
A new research platform may help scientists identify potential treatments for citrus greening disease faster, potentially speeding up the search for solutions. Citrus greening, also known as huanglongbing (HLB), is caused by the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas). The disease disrupts the tree’s ability to transport nutrients, leading to symptoms such as blotchy leaves, small and misshapen fruit, poor juice …
Sneak Peek: August 2026 Citrus Industry
The Citrus Industry section of the August issue of Specialty Crop Grower magazine features practical production advice, a new variety resource, citrus marketing insights and more. The section opens with a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) article explaining crop load management and alternate bearing in citrus. Fernando Alferez and Muhammad A. Shahid discuss why citrus …
Assessing Citrus Varieties for Peel Benefits
Many people throw away citrus peels because they are too bitter to eat raw, but this outer layer of the fruit’s skin is a rich source of many sought-after beneficial compounds. The peel is in demand for companies seeking to use those compounds for health and pharmaceutical products. Christina Dorado, lead scientist and chemist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture …
PIECES OF THE PAST: A Reminder of Days Gone By
By Brenda Eubanks Burnette When Thomas E. Hogan arrived in Vero Beach in January of 1920, he could hardly have imagined that his name would one day be tied to one of the county’s most enduring agricultural legacies. A native of Suwannee County, Hogan and his wife came south from the small town of Wellborn, settling along the hammock lands …
Florida Citrus Finds New Momentum
Shannon Shepp, Florida Department of Citrus executive director, recently discussed the renewed sense of optimism being felt in the Florida citrus industry due to recent positive developments. INCREASED CITRUS PRODUCTION One of the reasons for optimism is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s final citrus forecast for the 2025–26 season. Despite weathering another challenging season, including damaging freezes, Florida orange production …
California Weighs In on OJ Standard Change
Like the Florida citrus industry, California Citrus Mutual (CCM) welcomed the recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) update of the federal standard of identity for pasteurized orange juice (OJ). The action marks the first significant revision to the standard in more than 60 years and takes effect Aug. 19. The FDA reviewed consumer sensory data during its rulemaking process …
Grant Funds Commercialization of Harvesting Robots
The European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator program has awarded a €2.5 million grant to Israel’s Nanovel. The company is developing autonomous robots powered by artificial intelligence (AI) for harvesting dense-canopy citrus orchards. The award also includes eligibility for an equity investment of up to €4.3 million, intended to anchor a planned funding round of approximately €8 million. Nanovel will utilize …
Understanding Today’s Pesticide Labels
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. A minimum score of 70% is required to receive credit. Pesticides are vital tools in agriculture that help protect crops …
Leverage NRCS Conservation Practice 336 to Improve Soil Health
By Tripti Vashisth, Taylor Livingston and Abhishek Neupane Florida citrus production occurs predominantly on sandy soils that are inherently low in organic matter and possess limited water- and nutrient-holding capacity. These soil constraints have become increasingly important in the era of huanglongbing (HLB), where compromised root systems reduce the tree’s ability to efficiently acquire water and nutrients. As a result, …
Early Data on Biofertilizer for HLB-Affected Trees
By Flavia Tabay Zambon and Paulo Eduardo Branco Paiva Florida’s citrus industry has faced severe decline due to huanglongbing (HLB, also known as citrus greening). Production has dropped 92% since the 2003–04 season, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service. Growers have relied on cultural practices, tolerant varieties and antimicrobial treatments, especially oxytetracycline (OTC), which has recently …
Pectin in Peels Could Be Valuable Byproduct
Citrus peel has long been viewed as a byproduct of juice processing, often ending up as animal feed or compost. New research suggests it may deserve much more attention. Scientists found that pectin extracted from citrus peel has excellent functional properties that could increase its value for use in food, beverage and pharmaceutical products. The study was published in the …
First Brazilian Variety of Caviar Lime Registered
The state of São Paulo has the first Brazilian variety of caviar lime registered in the National Register of Cultivars. Developed by the Agronomic Institute (IAC), the Faustrime cultivar was registered in 2023 and is expected to reach the market later this year. Faustrime is a hybrid of the Australian finger lime (Microcitrus australasica) crossed with a Eustis limequat. Originating …
Proposed Act to Improve H-2A Program
U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson of Pennsylvania, chair of the House Agriculture Committee, introduced the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act of 2026. The act is meant to improve the accessibility and cost of agricultural labor through the H-2A visa program. The legislation is supported by more than 400 agricultural groups. The H-2A program allows foreign workers to perform temporary agricultural jobs in …
Vitamin C Linked to Better Brain Health in Older Adults
A new study published in the journal PLOS One suggests that higher vitamin C levels in the blood are associated with healthier brain structure and stronger brain network connectivity in older adults. The research provides another reminder of the potential value of vitamin C-rich foods, including citrus fruits and juices. The study — “Plasma Vitamin C Levels Are Associated With …