Weather

Florida Winter Weather Trends

Daniel CooperWeather

Florida state climatologist David Zierden recently discussed past and present weather impacts on Florida citrus and said the next three months of winter are projected to be warmer than usual. Zierden, of Florida State University’s Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Prediction Studies, spoke during a virtual Winter Weather Lunch Break on Dec. 10. PAST Zierden said 13 freezes occurred over a 162-year …

South African

Small Changes for South African Orange Industry

Daniel CooperCrop Forecast, International

South African orange production and area under production are both forecast to increase by 1% in 2024–25 compared to the prior year. Orange juice production is projected to climb 4%. The forecasts by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) are for 1.69 million metric tons (MMT) of orange production, 44,500 hectares of oranges planted, and orange …

sweet

PIECES OF THE PAST: On a Sweet Note

Daniel CooperPieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette Christmas is normally the brightest spot at the end of what can be a very long year for many of us. It signals not only the end of the year, but the beginning promises of a hopeful new year ahead. One bright spot this year was the 100-year celebration of when the first Florida Citrus Queen …

forecasts

Florida Citrus Forecasts Tumble

Daniel CooperCrop Forecast, Florida

Federal forecasts for Florida citrus production tumbled Dec. 10, led by a 20% decrease in oranges compared to the initial October forecast. The declines primarily reflect damage from Hurricane Milton, which was not accounted for in the initial forecast. The 2024–25 season forecasts for all other citrus-producing states were unchanged from October. The Dec. 10 Florida forecasts by variety are …

recommendations

H-2A Improvement Recommendations

Daniel CooperLabor

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently offered two recommendations for improving the H-2A visa program. The first recommendation is that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) establish a schedule to process H-2A petitions electronically. The second recommendation is that the Department of Labor (DOL) evaluate options it could use to better locate workers to return back wages. The recommendations …

HLB

Changing With the Times

Daniel CooperIndustry News Release

By Robin Loftin and Frank Giles When HLB was first confirmed in Florida in October 2005, it was difficult to imagine the path the disease would take the state’s citrus industry down. In some ways, it has been a testament to the resolve and ingenuity of growers who have kept trees alive and continued planting, despite some early prognostications that …

he called

PIECES OF THE PAST: He Called It a Day

Daniel CooperPieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette University of Florida Professor P.H. Rolfs gave a speech during the 1935 Florida State Horticultural Society (FSHS) meeting about the “Founders and Foundations of Florida Agriculture.” (FSHS Proceedings, 1935). An interesting read, it touched on many of the major industry members of the time, but I truly loved the following excerpt I found under the heading …

relief fund

Georgia Hurricane Relief Fund Accepting Applications

Daniel Cooperhurricane

The Weathered But Strong: Georgia Hurricane Relief Fund has announced that applications are open for farmers impacted by Hurricane Helene. The relief fund was established by the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) in partnership with the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture and with support from more than 40 agricultural partners. The fund aims to raise $1.5 million by Dec. 31 to …

hybrid

HLB-Tolerant Hybrid Varieties Highlighted

Daniel CooperEvents, Indian River, Varieties

Two varieties that tolerate HLB and produce ample fruit yield and juice were the highlights of the recent Millennium Block Field Day in Fort Pierce, Florida. The 20-acre Millennium Block at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC) examines fresh fruit varieties and rootstocks. “The two varieties that give …

Future

Belief in the Future of Florida’s Citrus Industry

Daniel CooperAwards

This is the fifth installment of Q&A features with Brenda Eubanks Burnette, the 2024 Citrus Achievement Award winner. Why do you believe in the future of Florida citrus? Burnette: I think Florida citrus growers, like most other farmers, are the most resilient, stubborn and steadfast people you’ll ever meet. We have multi-generational families who have helped shape the state of …

outlook

Florida Citrus Outlook for the 2024–25 Season

Daniel CooperFlorida Department of Citrus

The expected utilization of Florida’s 2024–25 citrus crop was the focus of economist Marisa Zansler’s Florida Citrus Outlook presentation to the Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) in October. Zansler is director of economic and market research for the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC). Before discussing expected utilization by varieties, Zansler pointed out that her outlook was based on the U.S. Department …

examination

Florida Pesticide Examination Process Changing

Daniel CooperCEU, Education

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) recently announced changes to the Florida pesticide examination process. It noted that pesticide applicators often rely on UF/IFAS Extension to obtain pesticide education, training and support, and to take their respective exams. All 67 county offices have historically offered free exams, through paper or using a computer. The changes …

Dundee Citrus Growers Association

Dundee Citrus Growers Association Celebrates 100 Years

Daniel CooperFlorida, History

Dundee Citrus Growers Association has struggled with the same major setbacks as the rest of Florida’s citrus industry, including multiple freezes in the 1980s and HLB in this century. But Dundee, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary, has not only survived but has become the state’s largest citrus cooperative. A recent video recounts the association’s history, focusing on the growth, …

aid

Florida Legislators Seek Hurricane Aid

Daniel CooperFlorida, hurricane

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Florida members of Congress recently urged Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to ensure Florida farmers get critical aid and policy flexibilities as they recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. “These back-to-back major hurricanes have decimated Florida agriculture, our state’s second largest industry,” the Florida legislators’ letter to Vilsack stated. “According to the Florida Department …

pesticides

Pesticides and the Environment

Daniel CooperCEU, Pesticides

By Mongi Zekri 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. The fate processes for pesticides fall into three major types: adsorption, transfer and degradation. PESTICIDE ADSORPTION The adsorption process binds …

Table

PIECES OF THE PAST: Table Talk

Daniel CooperPieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette Florida Citrus Mutual was organized in 1948 to help stabilize citrus prices. The organization eventually expanded its focus to address the need for a strong unified voice for the Florida citrus industry on issues debated at the local, state and federal level. However, to get that unified voice from the board members was often a challenge, …

Future

The Florida Citrus Hall of Fame and an Infamous Moment

Daniel CooperAwards

This is the fourth installment of Q&A features with Brenda Eubanks Burnette, the 2024 Citrus Achievement Award winner. What are some of the resources available to the public through the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame? Burnette: The Florida Citrus Hall of Fame includes a digital database of Florida citrus crate labels, postcards, citrus industry photographs and a variety of artifacts, …

root recovery

Grove Recovery After Milton

Daniel CooperHLB Management, OTC Expert

Sponsored Content In this special series, Tom Johnson, owner of TJ BioTech, tackles questions about optimizing trunk-injection applications to treat HLB. Q: After a series of weather challenges, including Hurricanes Helene and Milton, what are you hearing from Florida citrus growers about the continued health and recovery of groves going forward? Tom Johnson: I am certainly not suggesting that I …

plantings

CITRUS NURSERY SOURCE: Tree Propagations Provide Insight on Plantings

Daniel CooperCitrus Nursery Source, Varieties

By Peter Chaires The summer of 2024 has been one of suspense, hope and anticipation. There is great suspense in learning how many acres will remain in citrus production, be repurposed or worse yet, be developed. There is a great sense of hope that Mother Nature will provide ideal growing conditions for the crop, and natural disaster recovery will not …

Hurricane Milton

Hurricane Milton Resources

Daniel Cooperhurricane

Hurricane Milton is currently expected to be a major hurricane when it makes landfall on Florida’s west coast late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. It will likely impact a large portion of the state. In anticipation of the hurricane and its aftermath, Florida Citrus Mutual has canceled its crop estimate luncheon that was scheduled for Oct. 11 in Zolfo …