By Arnold Schumann, Laura Waldo, William Holmes, Gary Test and Tim Ebert Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly common in electronic devices at home or work, in social media, video streaming services, electronic commerce, and in internet search engines. Now, AI is rapidly entering the farming scene. Growers using modern precision agriculture tools and techniques often face a barrage of high …
Citrus Youth Day: Science and Recruiting
Citrus Youth Day at Lake Alfred’s Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) on June 28 gave the University of Florida (UF) a chance to teach a little science and recruit future UF students. Jamie Burrow, Extension program manager for UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and Citrus Youth Day coordinator, said more than 70 youngsters registered for the …
How a Processor Is Coping with HLB
Everyone in the citrus business knows HLB has wreaked havoc on Florida citrus growers. But it has also caused severe problems for processors, said Bob Behr, CEO of Florida’s Natural Growers (FNG). FNG is one of the nation’s largest processors and marketers of orange juice. Behr told the audience at the recent Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference that low citrus …
PIECES OF THE PAST: A Great Read
By Brenda Eubanks Burnette Summertime is always a good time for reading. I recently received a new book titled “Winter Garden Change Makers,” written by my friend, Jerry Chicone, Jr. He dedicated the book to the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation to “encourage more people to step forward to make positive changes for their hometown.” The book is a tribute to …
Sneak Peek: July 2018 Citrus Industry Magazine
The most successful citrus growers are often the ones who are able to adapt to new techniques and technologies. The July issue of Citrus Industry magazine offers a look at tools designed to help growers increase efficiency and productivity. Artificial intelligence is increasingly used in electronic devices, social media and internet search engines. But did you know this technology is …
Bayer on HLB: No Single Solution Likely
Denise Manker with Bayer CropScience provides an update on Bayer’s collaborative effort with the Citrus Research and Development Foundation to seek solutions for HLB. Her presentation came during the recent Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference in Bonita Springs. Manker told the audience there will not likely be a “silver bullet” that will provide a solution to the disease. “I think …
The Complex Path for New Citrus in California
By Len Wilcox Continuous research and development of new varieties is an important function of the University of California, Riverside (UCR). Efforts have led to hundreds of profitable varieties now being grown in California. According to a report in California Agriculture, University of California’s (UC) research journal, one of those varieties has been a source of more than $14 million …
Field Testing of New HLB-Tolerant Scions and Rootstocks
By Rhuanito S. Ferrarezi, Jude W. Grosser, Fred G. Gmitter, Ed Stover and Kim Bowman Citrus is Florida’s most important agricultural commodity. The state produces citrus for different markets: round oranges for juice; navels, mandarins, grapefruit and lemons for the fresh-fruit industry; and lemons for extracting peel oil for processing. Huanglongbing (HLB) disease affects all citrus varieties. Since the discovery …
A Grower’s Plan to Survive HLB
An Indian River-area grapefruit grower told the crowd at Florida Citrus Mutual’s recent annual conference about his company’s plans for coping with HLB. The plans include replanting with some diverse citrus varieties at higher densities, said Daniel Scott, vice president of Scott Citrus Management. Grapefruit has for the most part proven extremely difficult to grow profitably in the face of …
Certis for Citrus Program Helps Fund Fight Against HLB
The biopesticide company, Certis USA, presented the non-profit Citrus Research and Development Foundation, Inc. (CRDF) with a check for $20,000 to help fund research projects in an effort to find a cure for huanglongbing (HLB; citrus greening). The presentation was made during the Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference that took place at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa. …
USDA Encourages Grower Attendance at WHIP Meetings
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency will hold several information sessions in Florida about the Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program (WHIP). The meetings are the first step in the Hurricane Irma relief package. The USDA is encouraging all growers who wish to participate in WHIP to attend at least one meeting. Below are the dates, times and …
Alternatives to Rootstock Propagation by Seed: Differences, Concerns and Expectations
By Ute Albrecht Commercial citrus rootstock propagation traditionally occurs via use of nucellar apomictic seed, which generates genetically identical seedlings that are used as liners for budding. With the high demand for superior rootstocks in the age of HLB, commercial nurseries are currently experiencing a shortage of seeds for some of the most popular rootstock varieties. In addition, for many …
Don’t Graze in the Weed Garden!
A weed garden established this spring beside the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee is intended to help growers, Extension agents and others identify weeds in the grove. “The key ingredient in a weed management toolbox is to correctly identify the weed,” says Ramdas Kanissery, weed scientist at the center. “We’d like to invite groups to this garden. …
Strong Finish for 2017–18 Brazilian Citrus Season
By Marcos Fava Neves The last Fundecitrus announcement (April 10) of the season for the Brazilian citrus crop was 398.35 million boxes. This includes: 77.48 million boxes of Hamlin, Westin and Rubi 18.02 million boxes of Valencia Americana and Valencia Argentina 118.47 million boxes of Pera Rio 139.62 million boxes of Valencia 44.76 million boxes of Natal (Navel) SEASON SUMMARY …
Extra Manganese and Boron for HLB
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researcher Jude Grosser discusses small experiments that indicated manganese and boron can help citrus trees cope with HLB. In a greenhouse experiment from a few years ago, HLB-infected sweet orange trees were overdosed with micronutrients and secondary nutrients. “It looked like … manganese had the biggest effect on growth of the …
Zinkicide Could Help Manage HLB
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researcher Evan Johnson reports that the product Zinkicide appears promising as a management tool for HLB. “Zinkicide is a zinc-based nanoparticle that is designed to become systemic inside the tree and has high bactericidal activity so that hopefully it can target Liberibacter,” Johnson says. Liberibacter is the causal agent of HLB. …
FDACS Begins Efforts to Eradicate Oriental Fruit Fly
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has positively identified the presence of three Oriental fruit flies, Bactrocera dorsalis, in south Miami-Dade County. The initial fly was discovered during routine trapping, and additional flies were discovered during expanded trapping activities. The department, along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, monitors more than 56,000 fruit fly traps statewide as an …
Citrus Renovation Irrigation Support Program Introduced
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Water Policy has a new citrus cost-share program to assist with irrigation improvements on groves that are being replanted. FDACS announced it has set aside roughly $3 million for the Citrus Renovation Irrigation Support Program (CRISP). The program is designed to be a 75 percent cost share for the …
The Road to Recovery
Growers discuss lessons learned from Hurricane Irma, replanting plans, grove rehabilitation, crop insurance and more. By Tacy Callies Florida citrus growers awaiting Hurricane Irma federal aid and insurance payouts are doing their best to keep crops healthy until more money is available. Paul Meador, citrus grower and head of Everglades Harvesting & Hauling in LaBelle, took a big hit from …
Rucks on Citrus Varieties and Industry Recovery
Phil Rucks of Phillip Rucks Citrus Nursery weighs in on the increasing demand for late versus early orange varieties, the impact of Hurricane Irma and HLB. Rucks notes that over the past 30 years, the demand for early-season oranges versus late-season oranges has essentially reversed. In the past, he says, early varieties accounted for about 60 percent of plantings. Now, …