irrigation

Despite Drought Relief, Irrigation Remains Critical for Cold-Hardy Citrus

Daniel CooperCold Hardy, Irrigation

Increased rainfall across the cold-hardy citrus region is a sight for sore eyes. Still, citrus growers in South Georgia, North Florida and South Alabama must stay on top of their trees’ water needs to help ensure a viable crop this season. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, spoke on this subject at the recent …

billion

Trump Asks Congress for Additional $11 Billion in Farm Aid

Daniel Cooperfinancial, freeze

President Donald Trump is asking Congress to approve more than $11 billion in additional agricultural assistance, including $10 billion in economic aid for producers across the country and another $1.1 billion specifically for Florida farmers recovering from devastating winter storms and freezes. The request is part of a larger supplemental funding package now before Congress. Florida Farm Bureau Federation President …

Citrus Innovation Center

Citrus Innovation Center Creates Flavors and Fragrances

Daniel CooperResearch

When most folks think of Florida citrus, orange juice or fresh grapefruit comes to mind. Few appreciate the full diversity of the fruit hidden in its bloom, peel, juices and oils. That is where the Citrus Innovation Center comes in with high-tech approaches to extract more out of Florida’s signature crop. The 30,000-square-foot facility on the campus of Florida Polytechnic …

website

UF/IFAS Website Brings All Things Citrus Together

Daniel CooperTip of the Week

By Jamie D. Burrow, Tripti Vashisth and Michael E. Rogers In the early days of huanglongbing (HLB), the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Team realized it needed to bring its HLB content together on a single website to make it more accessible. The website has become outdated, and much more is available today for …

scientists

Scientists Speak About Long-Term HLB Solutions

Daniel CooperEvents, HLB Management

The recent Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference featured seminars from several scientists who are working on solutions to fight huanglongbing (HLB) disease. GENETIC RESEARCH Vivian Irish of Yale University presented her research on combating HLB through gene editing. She noted several promising gene-editing targets have been identified. Plans call for getting these lines planted to evaluate their resistance to HLB. …

HLB

Compost, Rootstocks and HLB

Daniel CooperHLB Management, Rootstocks

Compost-amended plots (left) had more weeds than those with no compost. A new study published in Scientific Reports examines whether repeated compost applications could improve the health and productivity of young citrus trees growing under endemic huanglongbing (HLB) conditions in Florida. Gabriel Pugina, Caroline Tardivo, Brittney Monus, Emma Dawson, Sarah Strauss and Ute Albrecht of the University of Florida Institute …

Indian River

PIECES OF THE PAST: Rooted in the Indian River

Daniel CooperIndian River, Pieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette Victor Knight was born June 5, 1929, into a family already rooted deep in the Indian River citrus industry. Friends would later say he was “born with his feet in the grove,” and for nearly eight decades he proved it. His family worked groves and cattle near Winter Beach. Knight was the sixth of seven children …

produce

Produce Pros Under 40 Years of Age Honored

Daniel CooperAwards

This year’s winners of the Produce Business 40 Under Forty awards include several young professionals with ties to the citrus industry. Michelle Alo, 38, is vice president of marketing at Kings River Packing, LP in California. She joined the company as director of marketing in 2022 and was promoted to her current position in 2024. She has been part of …

drought

Drought Impacting Irrigation Needs

Daniel CooperIrrigation, Weather

The next harvest season may still be months away for Florida citrus growers, but management remains a weekly duty. That involves a plethora of chores for grove owners this summer, says Matt Smith, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension agent for Lake and Orange counties. “Growers definitely need to keep irrigation in mind. And of course, …

June

All In For Citrus Podcast, June 2026

Daniel CooperAll In For Citrus Podcast

The citrus research team at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) generates a lot of information from the trials and experiments they conduct each year. That information can be a valuable resource to growers who are seeking production guidance for their groves. In the June episode of the All In For Citrus podcast, Michael Rogers, …

irrigation

Irrigation Maintenance Is Essential

Daniel CooperIrrigation

Microjet irrigation is the top method of freeze protection for citrus trees, but its effectiveness is only realized if growers perform proper maintenance of the sprinklers before a cold event occurs. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, emphasized that fact during the Georgia-Florida Irrigation Expo on June 10. Sutton said growers should treat their …

ReMedium TI

ReMedium TI Receives Full Section 3 Label

Daniel CooperHLB Management

TJ BioTech LLC has announced that, as of June 11, 2026, ReMedium TI has received a full Section 3 label and registration from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, along with state approval from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The approved label allows for two consecutive years of treatment, starting with the 2026–27 season, followed by a one-year …

injury

Reducing Trunk Injury From OTC Injections

Daniel CooperHLB Management, Tip of the Week

By Ute Albrecht, Larissa Nunes and Igor Silva Trunk injection of oxytetracycline (OTC) requires drilling a hole into the trunk and injecting a foreign substance into the tree. Not only does the physical damage from drilling cause injury, but the application of chemicals can exacerbate both the external and internal damage. BARK CRACKING Externally, aside from the drill hole, bark …

NVDMC

CITRUS NURSERY SOURCE: NVDMC Research Focus for 2026–27

Daniel CooperCitrus Nursery Source, Research

By Peter Chaires Spring is planning season for most Florida citrus organizations. New Varieties Development & Management Corp. (NVDMC) is no exception. The board recently met with all breeding teams to review 2025–26 sponsored projects and establish research priorities for 2026–27. Though some aspects of these projects will be covered in greater depth in future articles, this month’s column is …

funding

Citrus Growers Enthusiastic About New Round of CRAFT Funding

Daniel CooperCRAFT, Events

The Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference was held in Bonita Springs in mid-June. The event, hosted by Florida Citrus Mutual, was well attended, and the crowd was buoyed by the recent news that growers and industry would be receiving nearly $200 million in funding from the Florida Legislature. Most of those dollars will be directed to the Citrus Research and …

preharvest

Top Fungal Threats Behind Preharvest Fruit Rot

Daniel CooperDiseases, Research

A new study has identified several fungal pathogens associated with preharvest sweet orange fruit spoilage. It provides insights that could help citrus growers better understand and manage fruit rot problems in the grove. The research, “Morphological Identification of Fungi Associated with Preharvest Spoilage of Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis L.) Fruit in Bilo Nopha, Southwestern Ethiopia,” was published in the journal …

trade

Ag Groups Ask for Fair and Balanced Trade

Daniel CooperTrade

A coalition of fresh fruit and vegetable organizations from California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan and Texas on June 2 asked U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer for a managed approach to import volumes. Their letter to Greer sought that managed approach “particularly during the domestic marketing seasons when the timing of foreign competition is itself the injury.” Citrus-specific associations signing the letter …

microjet

Microjet Irrigation Most Effective Freeze-Protection Method

Daniel CooperCold Hardy, freeze, Irrigation

Microjet sprinklers provide the most effective way for producers in the cold-hardy citrus region to protect their trees from freeze damage. Microjet irrigation is even more effective than drip irrigation and overhead irrigation. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, stressed that point during the recent Georgia-Florida Irrigation Expo at the UGA Vidalia Onion and …

guide

Explore the 2026 Citrus Variety Guide

Daniel CooperRootstocks, Tip of the Week, Varieties

By Jamie Burrow and Tripti Vashisth If you haven’t had a chance yet, take a few minutes to explore the new 2026 University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Variety Guide. You’ll find it beginning on page 21 of the April 2026 issue of the UF/IFAS Citrus Magazine. WHAT IT INCLUDES This guide is designed to …

A Land Remembered

‘A Land Remembered’ TV Series Producer To Speak at Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo

Daniel CooperCitrus Expo, Events

For many Florida farmers and ranchers, “A Land Remembered” is a treasured piece of historical fiction. The novel chronicles the lives of three generations of the MacIvey family in Florida from the 1850s to the 1960s. There has been a lot of buzz about a new TV series that is being made based on the book. Todd Wiseman Jr., who …