funding

Citrus Funding Appears Promising

Daniel Cooperfinancial

Recent reports from Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM) and California Citrus Mutual (CCM) indicate that major support is likely forthcoming for the U.S. citrus industry. RECORD FLORIDA FUNDING FCM reports that the Florida Legislature continues to finalize a budget for the 2025–26 state fiscal year with a vote expected in both the Senate and House chambers on June 18. Senate President Ben Albritton, has advocated for record citrus …

fertilizers

A Review of Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers

Daniel CooperNutrition

A newly published article in the Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science explains how enhanced efficiency fertilizers (EEFs) can help maximize yields while reducing farmers’ chances of hurting their pocketbooks or the planet. EEFs include controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs) and slow-release fertilizers (SRFs). Hardeep Singh, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professor of cropping …

accurate

How to Achieve Accurate Herbicide Application

Daniel CooperTip of the Week, weeds

By Ramdas Kanissery As the summer season of weed control kicks off in citrus groves, now is the perfect time to make sure your spray rigs are set up for success. Effective weed control depends on: In many cases, poor herbicide performance is caused by two main issues: spraying at the wrong time and using incorrect application techniques. We’ve already …

rust mites

Citrus Rust Mites in Georgia

Daniel CooperGeorgia, Pests

By Jake Price There are two types of rust mites, the citrus rust mite (CRM) and the pink citrus rust mite (PCRM). The CRM is one of the biggest citrus pests in Georgia on fresh fruit. I don’t know that I have seen the PCRM in Georgia, but it is probably here. Every year, CRM is a problem at the …

California

California HLB Quarantines Expanded

Daniel CooperCalifornia Corner, HLB Management, Regulation

Federal and state agriculture officials recently expanded the areas quarantined for huanglongbing (HLB, also known as citrus greening) disease in California. The quarantined area in the Foothill Ranch and Mission Viejo areas of Orange County has been expanded by 26.69 square miles, the Riverside area of Riverside County by 11.3 square miles, and the Valley Center area of San Diego …

slug and snail

Grower Participation Sought for Slug and Snail Survey

Daniel CooperPests, Survey

Researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) are asking growers to participate in a survey about slug and snail pests affecting horticultural crops. The outcome will aid in a research project aimed at the development of appropriate Extension and research control methods against these pests. The title of the research project is Understanding and …

citrus

Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo Power Panel to Address the Big Ag Issues

Daniel CooperCitrus Expo, Events

There is a lot happening in the world of specialty crops that impact growers’ business operations. The Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo will host a panel discussion with the leaders of three associations to tackle those topics. The panel will include Mike Joyner, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association; Chris Butts, Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association and Matt Joyner, Florida …

managing aggressive weeds

Managing Aggressive Weeds in Citrus

Daniel Cooperweeds

Ramdas Kanissery gave advice for growers in a May 20 virtual presentation about managing aggressive weeds in citrus. Kanissery is a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences associate professor of horticultural sciences at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee. A summary of his recommendations follows. CULTURAL PRACTICES PRACTICAL APPROACHES As part of his presentation, …

research

Nearly $23 Million Awarded for HLB Research

Daniel CooperHLB Management, Research

The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA/NIFA) announced May 28 it has invested nearly $23 million in 14 HLB projects in 2025. The projects seek to find solutions to combat and prevent HLB in citrus. The projects are part of the Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Extension Program. The University of Florida is the only …

Podcast Topics: OTC Survey Results and Snail Research

Tacy CalliesAll In For Citrus Podcast, HLB Management, Pests

Trunk injection of oxytetracycline (OTC) to treat HLB is widely regarded as one of the biggest breakthroughs in the long fight against the disease. After two seasons of treatments, where do Florida citrus growers stand when it comes to the treatment? Tara Wade answers that question in the latest episode of the All In For Citrus podcast. The University of …

month

Injection Month Affects Fruit Size, Juice Quality and OTC Residues

Daniel CooperHLB Management, Tip of the Week

By Ute Albrecht, Gabriel Pugina, Caroline Tardivo, Jasmine de Freitas and Deived de Carvalho The month during which oxytetracycline (OTC) injections are performed can have a considerable impact on fruit size, juice quality and OTC fruit residues. Citrus fruit development can be divided into three overlapping stages: If injections are performed during Stage I, they promote cell division, which increases …

disease

Dealing With Disease: Canker, Black Spot and More

Daniel CooperDiseases

As the rainy season in Florida is set to begin, we caught up with Megan Dewdney to discuss citrus canker and other disease issues. Dewdney is a plant pathologist with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Q: How has the prevalence of citrus canker been in Florida in the past year or so? A: Dewdney: Citrus …

Georgia citrus

Innovation and Sustainability: Lessons From California for Georgia Citrus

Daniel CooperCalifornia Corner, Georgia

By Lindy Savelle In mid-April, members of the Georgia Citrus Association (GCA) traveled to California’s Central Valley to study the systems, innovations and strategies that have made the state a powerhouse in citrus production. Our goal was clear: to bring back ideas, solutions and inspiration that can help shape the future of Georgia’s growing citrus industry. Our group included growers, …

Mind Your Melon

Mind Your Melon Event Provides Sneak Peek of Survey Data

Daniel CooperAgriculture, Events, Survey

Mind Your Melon recently hosted an event at Southern Hill Farms in Clermont, Florida, to share some insights on a mental health survey and to inform attendees about future plans for the program. Marshal and Taylor Sewell founded Mind Your Melon to raise awareness of mental health issues among farmers and others involved in agriculture. Marshal’s father took his life …

Sneak Peek: June 2025 Citrus Industry

Daniel CooperSneak Peek

The June issue of Specialty Crop Grower magazine honors the winner of the 2025 Citrus Achievement Award. Ben Albritton, this year’s recipient, is a fourth-generation citrus grower and Florida politician. Learn all about his career and accomplishments in the cover story. Don’t miss the digital edition of the magazine to see an exclusive video interview. Albritton and Specialty Crop Grower …

Millennium Block

Millennium Block Research Update

Daniel CooperIndian River, Rootstocks, Varieties

Flavia Zambon, assistant professor with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, recently provided an update about Millennium Block research at the Indian River Research and Education Center. The block, established in 2019–20, is a large-scale, 5,500-tree trial seeking HLB-tolerant citrus varieties. Zambon says some varieties in the trial are showing strong fruit attributes without the need …

life

PIECES OF THE PAST: A Way of Life

Daniel CooperPieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette The citrus industry drew people to Florida with dreams of wealth and retirement, which eventually brought with it substantial economic development from the hardy pioneers who chose to make Florida their home. Their livelihood was widely marketed by not only the citrus packinghouses who sold their fruit, but also by their respective chambers of commerce and …

june

All In For Citrus Podcast, May 2025

Daniel CooperAll In For Citrus Podcast

The May All In For Citrus podcast features highlights from a recent OJ Break hosted by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) in Lake Alfred. Podcast host Frank Giles caught up with Michael Rogers, CREC director, during the event. Rogers summarized some of the information presented at the OJ …