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Below you'll see everything we could locate for your search of “Florida”
By Ute Albrecht, Gabriel Pugina and Larissa Nunes According to a recent industry survey, 64% of Florida citrus growers have injected their trees for three consecutive years with oxytetracycline (OTC). This article reports the results from three research trials conducted by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Plant Physiology Team at the Southwest Florida Research …
The Florida Legislature this year mandated the merger of two major Florida citrus research organizations: the Citrus Research and Field Trial Foundation (CRAFT) and the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF). CRAFT Executive Director Steven Hall recently answered questions about the merger. Q: What are the steps and timeframe for the merger? A: The legislation requiring the merger specifies that …
Southeastern residents increasingly support stronger protections against agricultural disease threats as concerns grow over food-system disruptions, say researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Findings from an August 2025 public interest survey distributed to 1,035 Southeast residents reflect growing public concern about how agricultural threats can affect food systems, public health and disaster preparedness. …
Climate change is creating new challenges for citrus growers, and one of the biggest impacts is on tree nutrition. According to a recent article in Frontiers in Plant Science authored by an international team of researchers, rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, drought, flooding, salinity and elevated carbon dioxide levels are all affecting how citrus trees take up and use nutrients. …
The Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) met virtually on May 29 to allocate legislatively authorized state general revenue funds for Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) marketing. The FCC, whose members are appointed by Florida’s governor, is the board that oversees the FDOC. After the FCC previously met on May 20, the Florida Legislature concluded its work on a budget that designates …
Highlands County Citrus Growers Association (HCCGA) Executive Director Ray Royce recently provided an update on the area’s current grove conditions and freeze recovery as well as the association’s status and priorities. GROVE CONDITIONS “For most groves in Highlands County, it is very clear now whether they are under active management and engaged in advanced production practices,” Royce said. “Those that …
By Tripti Vashisth, Taylor Livingston, Meryam Manzoor and Johann Hiller Citrus fruit quality and yield remain major concerns for sweet orange growers in the huanglongbing (HLB) era. These outcomes largely depend on the tree’s ability to support developing fruit throughout the growing season. Leaf area and canopy density are positively correlated with carbohydrate production and allocation to fruit, directly influencing …
By J. Scott Angle, jangle@ufl.edu, @IFAS_VP Steven Hall is the right guy to run a single state-supported citrus research organization. He is an agriculturalist as well as an administrator and attorney. He is a sixth-generation Florida farmer who leads his family farming operation in Jackson County. Since Hall was appointed executive director of the Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) …
The Citrus Industry section of the June 2026 issue of Specialty Crop Grower focuses on leadership and research. On the cover of the magazine is Ned Hancock, winner of the 2026 Citrus Achievement Award. He is being recognized for his decades-long leadership and dedication to serving Florida’s citrus industry. Don’t miss the accompanying video in the digital issue of the …
By Lauren Fessler Mathews, Ana Redondo and Ozgur Batuman Citrus canker continues to impact Florida citrus, increasing premature fruit drop and decreasing yield and fruit quality. While copper sprays have long been relied upon to control this disease, concerns about environmental impact and possible resistance development have led to efforts to find sustainable alternatives. Previous studies have shown that plant …
By Brenda Eubanks Burnette Editor’s note: This month’s Pieces of the Past is the author’s acceptance speech after being inducted into the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame on March 27. Congratulations, Brenda! Forty-five years ago, I had no idea that entering the Florida Citrus Queen contest would change the entire course of my life. I simply needed scholarship money for …
After significant drought in many parts of Florida, some much-needed rainfall began in May as the rainy season approaches. That seasonal transition, from a grove management perspective, is the focus of the May episode of the All In For Citrus podcast. Michael Rogers, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education …
By Lukasz Stelinski For many Florida citrus growers, pest management has become closely tied to Asian citrus psyllid control. That is understandable. The psyllid vectors the bacterium associated with citrus greening, and long-term disease pressure has pushed many operations toward frequent insecticide use. But frequent spraying comes at a cost. The more often the same chemistry is used, the faster …
By Ramdas Kanissery When the summer heat rolls in and the rain gets spotty, growers tend to shift their focus to irrigation, nutrition and HLB management. Weed control often gets pushed to the back burner. But here’s the thing: Heat and dry spells do not stop weeds. They change them, and those changes can make your weed management program a …
Have you heard of the term PULA yet? If not and you apply pesticides on your farm, now is the time to get up to speed on pesticide use limitation areas (PULAs). This topic was covered during the Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute, held at South Florida College in Avon Park in April. Matt Smith, University of Florida Institute of Food …
The New Varieties Development & Management Corp. (NVDMC) supports new variety development research to provide Florida citrus growers with unique, high-value varieties for the fresh and processed markets. The organization was established in 2005 just as HLB was confirmed in the state, making its mission even more important. A name that has been synonymous with NVDMC is Frank Hunt of …
Researchers have demonstrated how an early application of the plant hormone 2,4-D can significantly reduce fruit cracking (also known as fruit splitting) in citrus crops — a major economic challenge worldwide. The researchers are from the Mediterranean Agroforestry Institute at the Polytechnic University of Valencia and Valencian Institute of Agrarian Research in Spain. Their work complements pioneering studies conducted in …
Ernie Barnett, executive director of the Florida Land Council, has been named the 2026 recipient of the Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award. The award has been presented annually since 1994 to environmentally innovative growers, ranchers and others committed to protecting and preserving Florida’s resources. “Ernie Barnett has spent more than 35 years in the trenches working on Florida’s toughest land and water issues,” …
The Highlands County Board of County Commissioners has proclaimed the month of May to be Florida Orange Juice Month in Highlands County, Florida. The proclamation declared that: The proclamation encouraged all Highlands County residents and Floridians to take a Florida orange juice break and reflect on the wide range of positive impacts that this long-standing industry has had on the …
The Florida Citrus Packers (Packers) trade association has asked the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) to consider utilizing more of its Florida general revenue marketing dollars to promote fresh citrus from Florida. The request was made in an April 17 letter. The association, which represents packers of fresh Florida citrus, asked the FDOC to recognize that a greater percentage of …
