OJ: 5 Contributions to Good Health

Ernie NeffOrange Juice, Research

At the March Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) meeting, Gail Rampersaud summarized recently published studies showing that orange juice (OJ) contributes to good health. Rampersaud, a registered dietitian nutritionist, told the FCC, which governs the Florida Department of Citrus, about five ways the studies showed OJ is beneficial: Body Weight: Research shows that 100% OJ or fruit juice consumption is not …

unions

Department of Labor Targeting Southeast Agriculture

Ernie NeffLabor

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division is engaged in an education and enforcement initiative to increase compliance with federal labor laws in the Southeast’s agricultural industry. In addition to enforcement activity, the initiative provides compliance assistance to employers and educates workers and other stakeholders. The division is working with industry stakeholders in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, …

pollinator

Protecting Honey Bees in Citrus Groves

Tacy CalliesEnvironment

By Sylvia Willis, Amy Vu and Jamie Ellis When people think of Florida, the first thing that comes to mind is Fresh From Florida oranges. Florida accounts for 44 percent of total U.S. citrus production. Citrus, like many other fruits, vegetables and specialty crops, requires certain inputs to grow and produce fruit. But how are pollinators and the production of …

Growing Containerized Satsumas Under Screen

Ernie NeffCUPS, Research

Trials of containerized satsuma trees grown in a screened facility will soon begin in Louisiana, reported Louisiana State University (LSU) AgCenter horticulture Extension agent Anna Timmerman. She discussed the trials during the recent virtual 2021 LSU AgCenter Citrus Symposium. Research objectives include determining optimal planting density and yield. Field days for growers will likely be conducted in 2022, and a …

citrus

All In For Citrus Podcast, March 2021

Taylor HillmanAll In For Citrus Podcast, Sponsored Content

March’s All In For Citrus podcast brings news of in-person events, details on controlling the vector of HLB disease, as well as potential changes to nutrient and water management recommendations. Citrus Research and Education Center Director Michael Rogers begins the episode discussing several upcoming events for growers. On April 6, the Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute will return as a virtual …

Highlands County Youth Citrus Project Winners

Ernie NeffAwards

Rylan Turner’s tree was crowned Grand Champion of the Highlands County Youth Citrus Project, and Christopher Garrison’s tree garnered the Reserve Grand Champion award. Those two trees were sold in a live auction during the livestock auction night at the Highlands County Fair on Feb. 18. Lykes Bros. purchased the Grand Champion tree for $1,400 and Big T Tire bought …

Looking for Environmental Leaders

Ernie NeffAwards, Environment

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is accepting nominations for the Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award. The award recognizes agricultural producers who demonstrate leadership in developing and implementing innovative techniques to safeguard the environment and conserve natural resources. Nominations must be submitted to FDACS by April 15, 2021. The nomination form and more information about the award can be …

PIECES OF THE PAST: Marching On

Tacy CalliesPieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette March usually signals the annual Florida Citrus Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon, honoring those individuals who have made significant contributions to the state’s citrus industry. Like so many other things, COVID-19 changed that. This year, the celebration has been postponed to Friday, Nov. 5. Although it will still be at Florida Southern College, it will be …

Protect Young Citrus from Weeds

Josh McGillSponsored Content

Protect Young Citrus from Grasses, Broadleaf Weeds & Nutsedge Weeds in citrus groves can cause yield loss of up to 33%, according to research published by the University of Florida (UF) Citrus Research & Education Center. This significant – yet largely preventable – level of yield loss can be due to weeds that interfere with harvesting, serve as alternate hosts …

OJ Sales One Year into the Pandemic

Ernie NeffOrange Juice

Florida Citrus Commission Chairman Steve Johnson recently discussed the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on sales of Florida orange juice (OJ).   “We witnessed sales (of OJ) soar in the initial weeks (of the pandemic) as consumers stockpiled their pantries with kitchen staples and sought out healthy foods and beverages that provide immune support,” Johnson reported in an email to members of …

HLB Control: A New Potential Method

Ernie NeffHLB Management

A University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researcher has found a material that can be used to silence essential genes within Asian citrus psyllids and in the HLB-causing bacterial pathogen that the psyllids spread. The material is  2’-deoxy-2’-flouro-d-arabinonucleic acid antisense oligonucleotides (FANA ASO), small-sized single-stranded nucleic acids.  The discovery was made by Kirsten Pelz-Stelinski, an associate …

Panhandle Growers Experience Scales

Ernie NeffPests

Many citrus growers in Florida’s panhandle were experiencing high populations of scales early this year, particularly Florida red scale and false Florida red scale, Jefferson County Extension agent Danielle Sprague announced in a recent issue of the Cold Hardy Citrus Connection newsletter. The newsletter is a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension publication. Sprague pointed …

Time to Check Under the Hood for Nematodes

Tacy CalliesPests, Tip of the Week

By Larry Duncan Monitoring population levels of plant parasitic nematodes and phytophthora is best done in springtime prior to the rainy season. Peak population density of the citrus nematode (Tylenchulus semipentrans) occurs at that time, and the accuracy of sample results increases with population density. The sampled population levels of this nematode and those of Phytophthora spp. can be compared …

Biological Controls for Lebbeck Mealybug

Tacy CalliesBiologicals

Lebbeck mealybug (Nipaecoccus viridis) was first identified in Florida citrus in 2019 in Highlands County. It has now been documented in commercial citrus groves in 11 counties and in dooryard citrus plantings in two counties. While lebbeck mealybug can feed on most of the above-ground parts of a citrus tree, it is most damaging in the canopy, where it feeds …

Field Trials for Cultivar Evaluation; Soil and Root Health

Ashley RobinsonAll In For Citrus Podcast, Research

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus researchers are collaborating on ground-breaking research projects to fight against HLB. They are working with researchers at the University of California-Riverside (UC-Riverside), Texas A&M and Washington State University on a project to field-test new citrus cultivars for tolerance or resistance to HLB. The research is funded by the U.S. …

orange juice

Decline in 100% Fruit Juice Consumption

Ernie NeffOrange Juice

A new research report shows that Americans continue to consume fewer fruits and vegetables despite consistent dietary advice to the contrary. An accompanying decline in the consumption of 100% fruit juice, such as orange juice (OJ), is likely a significant contributor to the issue. The Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) reported in its “State of the Plate: America’s Fruit …

Irrigation and Nutrition Management in the Era of HLB

Ashley RobinsonIrrigation, Nutrition

A solid nutrition and irrigation program can enhance the productivity of HLB-affected trees and improve citrus tree health, potentially making production profitable even under HLB conditions. This was the subject of Davie Kadyampakeni’s talk during a March 9 OJ Break virtual meeting held for citrus growers. Kadyampakeni is a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant …

Conservation Program Improvements

Ernie NeffEnvironment

The application deadline for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is March 26 for fiscal year 2021.   Through CSP, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) helps agricultural producers and forest landowners earn payments for expanding conservation activities while maintaining agricultural production on their land. CSP also encourages adoption of new technologies and management techniques. Changes …

Canopy Management to Improve Fresh Fruit

Ernie NeffPruning

A new University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) document, Management of Citrus Tree Canopies for Fresh-Fruit Production, addresses the principles of citrus pruning and canopy management. It tells how applying those principles can improve the quality and quantity of fresh fruit production in Florida. Here is an excerpt from the document: “Canopy management has three goals …

grapefruit

Grapefruit Part of Tariff Suspension

Ernie NeffGrapefruit, Trade

Florida grapefruit grower and packer Dan Richey hopes a recently announced four-month suspension of tariffs on U.S. products shipped to the European Union (EU), including grapefruit, will become permanent. The EU and the United States on March 5 agreed on the mutual four-month suspension of the tariffs related to World Trade Organization (WTO) aircraft disputes. The suspension will cover all …