CUPS growers

CUPS Growers Share Wish List

Daniel CooperCUPS

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) recently hosted a citrus under protective screen (CUPS) and individual protective covers (IPCs) field day at the Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred. The two approaches have proven effective in excluding the Asian citrus psyllid and HLB disease from trees. During the event, a panel discussion featured …

Controlled-Release Fertilizers

Controlled-Release Fertilizers Show Mixed Results for HLB

Daniel CooperHLB Management, Nutrition, Research

Controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs) may help improve leaf nutrition in citrus trees affected by huanglongbing (HLB), but choosing the right fertilizer program is critical to maintaining yields, according to new research. A University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences study compared two CRF programs with a conventional fertilizer program in mature Valencia sweet orange trees growing in Florida’s sandy …

opportunity

Finding Opportunity Amid Challenges

Daniel CooperHLB Management, Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content The world today is experiencing significant geopolitical turmoil. For the Florida citrus industry, one important question is how to turn this uncertainty into an opportunity. While the United States is certainly not immune to global challenges, our country remains in a relatively strong position compared to many others. The United States has become the world’s largest producer of …

study

Study Explores Two-Pronged HLB Approach

Daniel CooperHLB Management, Research

A new study suggests that tackling both the bacterium responsible for huanglongbing (HLB) and the tree’s own response to infection may offer a better path for managing the disease. A report on the research — “Combating citrus greening disease by simultaneously targeting the pathogen and callose-mediated phloem occlusion” — examines how the disease disrupts the movement of sugars through citrus …

crop

‘Exceptional’ Crop Expected in Cold-Hardy Citrus Region

Daniel CooperCold Hardy, Production

On the cusp of another harvest season, Lindy Savelle, executive director of the Georgia Citrus Association, believes there will be a bumper crop in the South Georgia, North Florida and South Alabama areas. “I’ve not talked to a single person who has said, ‘I’m not going to have fruit this year’ — not with satsumas and not with Cara Caras. …

future

Citrus Meetings Focus on Industry’s Future

Daniel CooperCRAFT, Florida Citrus Mutual

Florida Citrus Mutual and the Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation held joint board and field meetings in Fort Pierce on Oct. 15. Nearly 70 citrus growers, researchers and industry leaders came together to explore the latest research, emerging technologies and opportunities to strengthen Florida’s citrus industry. The day began at Picos Farm, an experimental research site at the …

industry

What Does Citrus Industry Recovery Look Like?

Daniel CooperAwards

The 2026 Citrus Achievement Award winner, Ned Hancock, has seen his groves and acreage decline over the past 20 years as HLB has ravaged the Florida citrus industry. But he believes there are some positive signs pointing the industry in the right direction. This year’s final crop estimate, putting production slightly ahead of the previous year, was among those positive …

microbial

OTC Injection Changes Soil Microbial Functions

Daniel CooperHLB Management, Research, soil

Citrus growers and researchers know that oxytetracycline (OTC) trunk injection can reduce the amount of the bacterium associated with huanglongbing (HLB) disease and improve fruit production and juice quality. However, new research shows the treatment also causes changes in microbial functions around citrus roots. Researchers conducted a field study in a commercial Southwest Florida orchard containing 8-year-old Valencia sweet orange …

high school

High School Researcher Launches HLB Product

Daniel CooperHLB Management

In 2025, high school student Tanishka Aglave regaled the Highlands County Citrus Growers Association (HCCGA) annual meeting with a discussion of her prize-winning investigation into a natural alternative treatment for HLB. Instead of using the standard HLB treatment oxytetracycline (OTC) as a trunk injection, she injected HLB-infected trees with an extract from the Indian curry leaf plant. She reported that …

cold-hardy

Blood Oranges Could Benefit Cold-Hardy Growers

Daniel CooperCold Hardy, Varieties

Blood oranges are an enticing option to help cold-hardy citrus producers diversify their crop portfolio. Muhammad Shahid, assistant professor of horticulture at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, is researching the crop at the North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy. Nothing has deterred him from recommending it to growers in North Florida, South Georgia …

opportunity

Citrus Producers Express Growing Optimism Since the Introduction of ReMedium TI®

Daniel CooperHLB Management, Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content ReMedium TI® was introduced to the Florida market in January 2023. Since its introduction, citrus producers have experienced a steady recovery from citrus greening disease, also known as huanglongbing (HLB), one of the most significant challenges facing the Florida citrus industry. Across Florida, growers are reporting renewed optimism about the potential for recovery and future growth of the …

cold-hardy

CUPS in Cold-Hardy Region Remains a Question

Daniel CooperCold Hardy, CUPS

Citrus under protective screen (CUPS) has proven its effectiveness in helping Florida citrus producers overcome citrus greening disease. Its place in the cold-hardy citrus region remains a question, however. Arnold Schumann, professor at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center and leading CUPS researcher, discussed the potential for CUPS in the …

HLB-affected

Biostimulants Benefit HLB-Affected Citrus

Daniel CooperBiostimulants, Tip of the Week

By Noor Ul Basar, Muhammad Adnan Shahid, Duplicate Sambani and Davie M. Kadyampakeni Huanglongbing (HLB) remains the greatest challenge facing citrus production in Florida. While there is currently no cure for HLB, effective management of affected trees remains a primary focus for Florida citrus growers. Efficient nutrient management is an important strategy for maintaining the health and productivity of HLB-affected …

citrus

CITRUS NURSERY SOURCE: Moving From Creation to Adoption

Daniel CooperBreeding, Citrus Nursery Source

By Peter Chaires Growers and nurserymen have come to understand that citrus breeding is a continuum. It can’t be turned on and off like a light switch. Though priorities of emphasis, available techniques, tools and technologies may change, large shifts in breeding objectives take time and can produce delays and inefficiencies. Making crosses is a relatively quick process. Knowledgeable breeders …

IPCs

CUPS and IPCs Spotlighted at Field Day

Daniel CooperCUPS, Events, IPCs

In the long battle against HLB, there have been no tactics as successful at safeguarding citrus trees as protective screen. Citrus under protective screen (CUPS) structures can exclude the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) and HLB from entire blocks, while individual protective covers (IPCs) can keep individual trees free of HLB for the critical first few years after planting. In early …

states

Season’s First Forecast Shows Stark Contrasts Among Citrus-Producing States

Daniel CooperCrop Forecast

U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA NASS) released its first citrus crop forecast of the 2026–27 season on Oct. 9. The federal forecast for all Florida citrus varieties, with the exception of lemons, is down from last season. All citrus crops in other states are expected to increase. FLORIDA The Florida all-orange crop is expected to plummet …

RAISE Act

RAISE Act Targets Faster Disaster Aid

Daniel Cooperhurricane, Legislative

U.S. Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Scott Franklin (FL-18), Darren Soto (FL-09) and Kat Cammack (FL-03) introduced the Restore Agricultural Investment, Stability and Expansion (RAISE) Act of 2026, to provide the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) with the standing authority to help growers recover after natural disasters by issuing block grants. “Florida’s citrus industry knows firsthand the devastating impacts of …

Syngenta

Syngenta Seeks Summer Citrus Interns

Daniel CooperEducation

Syngenta is seeking applicants for its 2027 Florida citrus summer internship program running from May to August. Interns will gain hands-on experience working beside industry professionals, develop technical agronomic skills and build a foundation for a career in agriculture. WHAT YOU’LL DO Intern activities include: Interns will receive mentorship, competitive wages and a company truck for work use. QUALIFICATIONS Qualifications …

opportunity

ReMedium TI® Demonstrates Proven Performance in Citrus Greening Management

Daniel CooperHLB Management, Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content In the ongoing battle against citrus greening (also known as huanglongbing or HLB), a disease that has devastated Florida’s citrus industry, the trunk-injection product ReMedium TI® has demonstrated promising performance. Since its commercial release in January 2022, ReMedium TI® has continued to generate interest and optimism among Florida citrus growers seeking economically viable tools to manage the disease. Recent research …

Researcher of the Year

FFVA Names Researcher of the Year

Daniel CooperAwards

Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) recently presented Kim Bowman its 2026 Researcher of the Year Award. For more than 30 years, Bowman has led citrus rootstock research at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory in Fort Pierce, Florida. He has worked to develop innovative solutions to improve citrus production and help growers address …