Tim Hurner, Peter McClure and the late Richard Kinney were inducted into the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame on March 8 in ceremonies at Florida Southern College (FSC). Hurner was a longtime Highlands County citrus Extension agent who directed the citrus horticulture program at FSC for several years. He called his time at FSC a career highlight, “working with young …
New Extension Agent for Indian River Citrus Growers
A horticultural research scientist with experience in the development of disease-free citrus rootstock and disease-tolerant citrus varieties in Iran’s northern agricultural region will now serve the Indian River District’s growers. Amir Rezazadeh recently began his new position as multicounty fruit and field crops agent for the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension in Saint Lucie …
Growers Talk About Valencias, PFD and Nutrition
Highlands County Extension director and citrus agent Laurie Hurner discussed Valencia oranges, postbloom fruit drop (PFD) and nutrition in summarizing a recent grower forum she hosted. “I think that the overarching feeling (of growers) is positive,” Hurner said. “It seems that Valencias are coming on strong; everybody’s seeing a good crop that’s hanging on the tree. So I think we’ll …
Large-Scale Citrus Field Trials Idea Surfaces
Citrus research continues to be a topic in state and federal funding circles as the industry’s battle with HLB, or citrus greening, continues. One idea in the incubator of industry discussion is the Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) program. It would involve large-scale grower field trials throughout Florida. Rick Dantzler, chief operating officer of the Citrus Research and Development …
Planting: ‘More Options Than Ever’
Michael Rogers recently said there is increased optimism in the Florida citrus industry. “With that optimism, growers are starting to give more consideration to replanting,” said Rogers, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred. According to Rogers, some growers who held off on planting in the …
Strategies for Stronger Roots
Citrus growers discuss production practices to improve root health. By Tacy Callies What began as an experiment in Ben Krupski’s 10-acre grove in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida, is now a common practice he uses as production manager for Lennon Grove Service. Four years ago, Krupski started testing the use of compost in his small leased block of Hamlin trees. In the first …
Helping Generations Cope with Freezes
Winter Weather Watch is a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension program that has helped generations of Florida citrus growers be prepared for freezes. “Back in the ’60s, we didn’t have the Internet. We had rotary dial phones,” says multi-county citrus Extension agent Chris Oswalt, who discusses the history and workings of Winter Weather Watch, which …
When to Be on Canker Alert
Citrus fruit is susceptible to canker after it reaches three-eighths of an inch in diameter, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension pathologist Megan Dewdney told growers this winter. “Once you get to that point and we get rain, then all bets are off as to whether you will keep canker out,” Dewdney said at a winter …
Peace River Growers Discuss Current Issues
Fruit size, Hurricane Irma relief funds and replanting were among issues addressed at a recent grower roundtable meeting in Arcadia. Peace River Valley Citrus Growers Association Executive Director Kait Shaw summarized some of the discussion. Regarding fruit size, she said, “Hamlins in particular are very small this year, but even the Valencias. I just don’t think the fruit is as …
Nutrients, Hurricane Impact and Production
Grower and tree hedger Frank Youngman was among the attendees at a Feb. 28 grower forum in Sebring, Florida. He discussed nutrition, Hurricane Irma’s impact, tree condition and production. Youngman said nutrients are “the key factor in what we’re seeing as far as tree quality, also fruit quality, and the ability for the trees to maintain the fruit throughout the …
PIECES OF THE PAST: Think Upside Down
By Brenda Eubanks Burnette The headline of a Wilson & Toomer Fertilizer Company advertisement in a 1949 Citrus Industry magazine read “how to think UPSIDE DOWN — and make more money!” It included the following copy: “If a tree can be said to think at all — it thinks from the bottom up — just opposite to Man. To make …
Gmitter Talks Gene Editing at AgVocacy Forum
By Gary Cooper This year’s AgVocacy Forum, hosted by Bayer Crop Science, again featured numerous provocative and insightful presentations dealing with emerging issues in agriculture from a number of perspectives. Bayer hosts many of the nation’s farm media for this two-day event each year, just before the start of the nationwide gathering of corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum producers at …
Developments at CRDF
Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) Chief Operating Officer Rick Dantzler updated growers on CRDF activities during the Florida Citrus Show in January. He summarized his comments in an interview after his presentation. Here are a few key points: “We’ve had a 25 percent reduction in our staff” since he joined CRDF last year, Dantzler said. “Growers are having to …
Sneak Peek: March 2019 Citrus Industry Magazine
The March issue of Citrus Industry magazine gets to the root of the matter. Several articles cover the topic of root health. Citrus growers Ben Krupski and David Wheeler share successful strategies for stronger roots. Methods include the use of compost, more frequent irrigation and other techniques. Three University of Florida research articles in the March issue also address root-related …
Crop Insurance Policies for Citrus Growers
By Ariel Singerman To compensate growers for losses suffered due to Hurricane Irma in 2017, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has put in place the Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program (WHIP). As part of the requirements for receiving payments from WHIP and/or the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Citrus Recovery Block Grant, citrus growers will have to …
Lake Okeechobee Levels Rising; Discharges to Increase
Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) Colonel Drew Kelly, commander of the Jacksonville District, held a media conference call on Feb. 22 to explain a change to the discharge schedules for Lake Okeechobee, as water levels are rising in the lake. Listen to the audio clip below to hear the entire press conference, including questions from South Florida media and Southeast …
Albrigo: Bloom Looks Good
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ (UF/IFAS) researcher known for his work on the timing of bloom sees the potential for good bloom this season. “Flowering for Florida’s next citrus crop has been coming along fairly well,” UF/IFAS Emeritus Professor Gene Albrigo said in a Feb. 13 interview. He expects the first wave of spring flowers …
Orange Juice Market Outlook
By Marcos Fava Neves A recent Nielsen report reveals negative news for U.S. retail orange juice (OJ) sales. When comparing November 2018 with November 2017, the decline in OJ consumption was 7.4 percent. The value shrunk 3.4 percent, dropping from $223.94 million to $216.44 million. This represents a $7 million dollar loss. Not-from-concentrate juice came down 12 percent, and reconstituted …
Citrus Expo Seminar Planning Underway
Citrus Expo is just six months away, which means the planning process has started for the seminar program. Growers of citrus, vegetables and specialty crops will once again have the opportunity to earn continuing education units and Certified Crop Adviser credits at the event. Citrus Expo will kick off with a general session on top agricultural issues of importance to …
All In For Citrus Podcast, February 2019
In February’s All In for Citrus podcast, learn about the new faces with the University of Florida’s citrus research staff, a winter weather watch program, flowering models and how fertilization impacts fruit quality. Listen to the latest episode of the All In For Citrus podcast. Sponsored Content5 Facts About Fire Ants and How to Control ThemApril 30, 2024BRAZILIAN RESEARCH RESULTS …