CSU

June CSU Hurricane Forecast

Daniel Cooperhurricane

Colorado State University (CSU) hurricane researchers on June 11 maintained their April forecast for an above-average 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. CSU’s Tropical Cyclones, Radar, Atmospheric Modeling and Software team cited above-average subtropical eastern Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea surface temperatures as a primary factor for its prediction. While the June forecast has historically exhibited higher levels of accuracy than the …

Angle

Positive Changes

Daniel CooperHLB Management

By J. Scott Angle, jangle@ufl.edu, @IFAS_VP Two and a half years ago, Riley McKenna leveled with his dad. Without a tool that made a noticeable difference in the grove soon, it might be time for dad to retire and Riley to seek a new career. So why was he spending an April day with me and his cousin Morgan McKenna …

crdf

CRDF Board Convenes at Industry Conference

Daniel CooperCRDF

The Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) board of directors held its June meeting at the Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference in Bonita Springs. “Congratulations to Florida Citrus Mutual for putting on another outstanding industry conference,” said Rick Dantzler, CRDF chief operating officer. “Several growers who attended told me they got an awful lot out of the meeting.” Dantzler said …

Speaker

Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo to Feature Inspirational Speaker

Daniel CooperCitrus Expo, Events

The 2025 Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo will feature a special speaker and inspirational message from retired Battalion Commander Jack Oehm of the Fire Department of New York City (FDNY). Oehm was a battalion chief who first arrived at Ground Zero after both World Trade Center towers collapsed on Sept. 11, 2001. It was a tragic day for Oehm, the …

gibberellic acid

Consider Summer Gibberellic Acid Applications

Daniel CooperPGRs, Tip of the Week

By Tripti Vashisth, Maricielo Postillos and Taylor Livingston In recent years, many citrus growers in Florida have begun using gibberellic acid (GA) to enhance tree growth and productivity. Initially, the recommendation was to apply GA monthly from September to January for Valencia oranges to maintain canopy health, reduce fruit drop and improve yields. However, some growers are hesitant about applying …

Grove-First

Grove-First Expands Search for HLB-Fighting Molecules

Daniel CooperHLB Management, Research

By Randall P. Niedz and Michelle Heck Grove-First is a collaborative research initiative developed by U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service (USDA/ARS) scientists and partners to solve citrus greening (HLB) by evaluating potential treatments directly in the field. This direct-to-field strategy is based on the idea that only field testing can determine whether a treatment can rejuvenate HLB-infected trees …

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, …