Political Event Falls Short on Facts

Abbey TaylorLegislative

A recent southeast Florida algae rally drew a small crowd. By Gary Cooper U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (R-Palm City) hosted a campaign event in Stuart on Sunday and visited other South Florida areas in recent days. He partnered with anti-farming group Bullsugar.org and featured activist Erin Brockovich to help push his recently introduced Stop Harmful Discharges Act in Congress. The …

orange juice

World Orange Juice Consumption Falls Again

Tacy CalliesGlobal Perspectives

By Marcos Fava Neves The annual compilation of data on the world’s orange juice consumption recently became available for 2017. Markestrat researchers analyzed 40 countries that represent almost 100 percent of the world’s processed juice market. The information was first compiled in 2003. At that time, in frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) equivalent, world consumption was 2,390,000 tons. In 2017, …

What to Do if Citrus Black Spot Isn’t Near

Ernie Neffblack spot

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researcher Megan Dewdney addresses what growers should do if citrus black spot isn’t near their groves. She summarizes a presentation she made at a recent growers’ workshop in Sebring. “My few pieces of wisdom have been to tell people to just be conscious of their area and know whether they are …

farming

Has Farming Become a Political Whipping Boy?

Daniel CooperAgriculture, business, financial

By Gary Cooper Urban expansion is impacting agriculture throughout the Southeast. Florida appears to be the first state in this region to dramatically shift to a much more urban-thinking electorate. In light of this year’s primary elections, there are some points Florida agriculturists should be thinking about. I know many of you have been pondering some of this already, based …

Attorney on Crop Insurance’s Importance

Ernie Neffcrop insurance

Agriculture attorney Bill Crispin told a Citrus Expo crowd that “crop insurance has evolved over the last 20 to 25 years into being a much needed and reliable risk management tool for producers.” He spoke at Expo’s opening general session. “It’s important for producers across the board to participate in the crop insurance program,” Crispin said in an interview summarizing …

PFD

Lake Wales Grower Discusses Foot Rot and PFD

Ernie NeffDiseases, PFD

Lake Wales citrus grower Frank Thullbery, 88, says groves in his area have suffered badly from foot rot, or phytophthora, in recent years. He has also struggled with postbloom fruit drop (PFD). “I’ve seen half of the groves gone bad from foot rot, and a lot of people are not replacing their trees when they pull them out,” Thullbery says. …

HLB Early Detection Methods Available Now; More Coming Soon

Tacy CalliesCalifornia Corner, HLB Management

By Len Wilcox Early detection has become a vital line of defense in the California citrus grower’s war with huanglongbing (HLB) disease. Without careful monitoring, any tree in the grove can become a ticking time bomb that could lead to destruction of the entire orchard. The disease starts unnoticed. Many months can pass before a tree displays any visible evidence …

HLB

Methods of pH Management for HLB-Infected Trees

Ernie NeffHLB Management

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researcher Tripti Vashisth told growers at a citrus workshop in Sebring on Sept. 25 how to maintain proper soil pH for HLB-infected trees. She said HLB-affected trees seem to perform best when soil pH is 6.0. Vashisth said pH levels need to be adjusted continuously. “Our soils are known to be more …

Sneak Peek: October 2018 Citrus Industry Magazine

Tacy CalliesSneak Peek

The October issue of Citrus Industry magazine is all about improving plant health. Readers will learn both grower and researcher strategies for managing HLB-affected trees. Ned Hancock knows a thing or two about growing citrus; he has been at it since age 14. In the October cover story, the citrus grower tells how he’s keeping his trees healthy and what …

bactericides

Bactericides for Psyllids and HLB

Ernie NeffBactericides, HLB Management, Psyllids

Many growers in recent years have used bactericides in an effort to reduce HLB infection in their groves. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researcher Kirsten Pelz-Stelinski reports on use of bactericides to reduce both the bacteria that causes HLB and the psyllids that spread it. In greenhouse studies, she reports, bactericides appeared to offer “some reduction” …

grapefruit

Lemons: What’s Available and What’s Coming

Ernie Nefflemons

Lemon varieties now available for planting in Florida and varieties that may be available in the future were discussed at a recent lemon workshop in Lake Alfred. Fred Gmitter, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researcher, summarizes his presentation. “The currently available varieties are Bearss and Eureka,” Gmitter says. “Bearss is a heavy-bearing tree; it produces …

citrus

Citrus Tree Covers Keep Deadly Psyllids Away

Daniel CooperCitrus Greening, HLB Management, Research

University of Florida (UF) scientists are finding that by covering new citrus trees with mesh, they can keep disease-carrying insects from harming the plants. That could be a big step toward stemming the deadly citrus greening disease, UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) researchers say. Asian citrus psyllids can infect the citrus trees with greening, also known as …

Revamping Communication with Citrus Growers

Abbey TaylorCitrus, Citrus Greening

Florida citrus growers now have a one-stop shop for everything citrus research coming out of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). A new website, monthly enewsletter and monthly podcast were announced by UF/IFAS last month during Citrus Expo. Jack Payne, senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources with UF, says this “All In for …

PFD

Hands-On Training Scheduled at UF/IFAS Citrus Workshop

Daniel CooperCitrus, Citrus Greening, Industry News Release, Research

Florida citrus growers will learn about the latest research from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and test new technology at a workshop in Sebring, Sept. 25-26. UF/IFAS Extension Highlands County is working with statewide UF/IFAS Citrus Extension faculty to bring the latest in scientific studies and a hands-on learning experience to growers. Faculty will cover …

psyllids

Stansly’s Parting Shot at Psyllids

Ernie NeffPsyllids

Less than a month before his death, the late Phil Stansly offered Citrus Expo attendees advice for coping with psyllid resistance to neonicotinoid insecticides. Stansly was a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences entomologist based at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center. He was among those credited with organizing Florida’s first psyllid- and HLB-fighting citrus health …

citrus

CUPS Protects Citrus from HLB and Storms

Daniel CooperCitrus Greening, CUPS, Research

A system designed to protect citrus trees from the deadly greening disease withstood the ravaging winds of Hurricane Irma last year, University of Florida scientists say. With reinforcements installed after the storm, they’ll likely withstand even more dangerous storms. Using citrus under protective screening (CUPS), growers can keep the Asian citrus psyllids away from their trees, said Arnold Schumann, a …

citrus

Citrus Block Grant Application Workshops Scheduled for Growers

Daniel CooperCitrus, hurricane, Industry News Release

The Florida Division of Emergency Management (DEM) announced the successful receipt of $343,221,216.73 in federal Florida Citrus Tree Recovery Program funds to help Florida citrus farmers recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Irma. Four workshops will be held to assist growers in applying for the funds. This outcome was accomplished through a partnership with the Florida Department of Agriculture …

Why Citrus Growers Should Keep Spraying for Psyllids

Ernie NeffHLB Management, Psyllids

For several years after HLB was detected in Florida in 2005, most citrus growers and researchers agreed that it was essential to spray aggressively for the Asian citrus psyllids that spread the disease. In recent years, however, many growers have questioned whether it still makes sense to spray for psyllids when 100 percent of groves are infected, as is the …

Ag Industry Mourns Loss of Phil Stansly

Tacy CalliesCitrus

Philip A Stansly, age 74, of LaBelle, passed away Sept. 12, 2018 in Fort Myers, Florida. Stansly served the agricultural industry as a member of the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) Southwest Florida Research and Education Center team for 32 years. Stansly was a frequent contributor to Citrus Industry magazine and was featured as the “psyllid slayer” …