emerging

FFVA Seeks Emerging Leaders

Daniel CooperEducation

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) is seeking up-and-coming leaders who want to be more involved in FFVA to apply for participation in the FFVA Emerging Leader Development Program. Applications are due by June 13. Applicants should fill out the application form and the written agreement form and send them to Sonia.Tighe@ffva.com. Launched in 2011, the yearlong leadership program …

HLB

Georgia Student Honored for HLB Research

Daniel CooperAwards, Georgia, HLB Management

Carlton Collins recently was named top master’s researcher in the E. Broadus Browne Research Awards for Outstanding Graduate Student Research competition at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. He was recognized for his research on huanglongbing (HLB) disease, also known as citrus greening. Collins, born in Jamaica, was introduced to citrus production on a small …

hurricane milton

Citrus Industry Recovery After Hurricane Milton

Daniel Cooperhurricane

By Maegan Beatty In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, Florida’s citrus industry is slowly working toward recovery. The storm brought damage to groves across key growing regions, raising concerns about long-term impacts on fruit yield and tree health. As recovery efforts continue, Indian River Citrus League Executive Vice President Doug Bournique and University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural …

spinach

Spinach Peptides Provide Defense Against HLB

Daniel CooperHLB Management

Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists have developed an approach to countering the citrus disease HLB as well as zebra chip disease in potatoes and other vegetables. Their method uses spinach antimicrobial peptides, known as defensins, which naturally defend plants against a broad range of pathogens. Their study results were recently published in the Plant Biotechnology Journal. The effects show significant …

Registration

Registration Now Open for the 2025 Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo

Daniel CooperCitrus, Citrus Expo, Events

Registration is now open for the highly anticipated 2025 Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo. The event takes place Aug. 20–21at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. Growers and industry professionals are invited to sign up now for complimentary registration to this two-day event filled with education, networking and innovation. Hosted by AgNet Media, the Expo is Florida’s premier event for …

pest

CUPS: Pest Monitoring and Management

Daniel CooperCUPS, Pests, Tip of the Week

By Jawwad A. Qureshi Several insect pests and mites colonize citrus crops in traditional open orchards. Most pests are localized and are suppressed by predators, parasitoids and entomopathogens to levels that are not economically damaging to the crops. The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) is the primary vector of huanglongbing (HLB) disease. Despite biological and chemical control of ACP, growing a …

oj

New Insights Into OJ Demand

Daniel CooperEconomics, Florida Department of Citrus, Orange Juice

By Marisa L. Zansler One-hundred percent orange juice (OJ) has long been a favorite in American households, but supply challenges, changing consumer behaviors, a crowded beverage category and higher prices have impacted how much OJ consumers buy. Recent research conducted by Sungeun Yoon sheds light on consumer price sensitivity and substitution behaviors within the category, offering actionable insights for growers, …

tree of the future

Citrus Tree of the Future Still Years Away

Daniel CooperCRDF, HLB Management

Not surprisingly, the focus of the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) centers on providing growers with help to overcome huanglongbing (HLB) disease. CRDF President Morgan McKenna Porter believes that help will best come with the development of the “tree of the future.” She says that tree does not have to be completely resistant to citrus greening. As long as …

mites

Management of Mites for Fresh Market Citrus

Daniel CooperCold Hardy, Pests

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Associate Professor Xavier Martini recently wrote an article In the Cold Hardy Citrus Connection about management of mites for fresh market citrus. Martini is an entomologist at the North Florida Research and Education Center. An edited version of his article follows.  Two types of mites mainly affect citrus production in …

programs

Update on CRAFT Programs

Daniel CooperCRAFT

The Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation recently provided an update about its programs: EXPEDITED PROPAGATION The supplemental Program for Expedited Propagation application period closed April 30. Contracts should be issued to the selected projects in May.  EXISTING TREE THERAPY The CRAFT board of directors approved amendments to all Existing Tree Therapy (ETT) Round 1, 2 and 3 contracts …

dry

Citrus Water Needs Critical Amid Dry Period

Daniel CooperIrrigation, Weather

The current dry period in the Southeast can negatively impact the region’s citrus groves. Trees in the cold-hardy citrus region of North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama need water, especially ahead of the next harvest season. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, discussed why water is so important this time of year. “Water …

Texas

Texas Mexfly Quarantines Altered Again

Daniel CooperPests, Regulation, Texas

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) in April made several changes to Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly) quarantines in Texas. This includes: SULLIVAN CITY The Sullivan City quarantine was expanded by 24 square miles to 79 square miles following detection March 12 of Mexfly larvae in sour orange …

Snail Management

Snail Management Can Be Complex

Daniel CooperPests, Tip of the Week

By Lauren Diepenbrock Snail management is becoming a more common discussion in Florida citrus with the arrival of a newer species in the Southeast. The snail of concern is Bulimulus bonariensis, previously referred to as Bulimulus sporadicus (Figure 1). Over the past three years, the first emergence of newly hatched snails was noted in late April through early May. The …

microbes

Citrus Groves and Soil Microbes

Daniel CooperResearch, soil

Research by the University of Miami’s College of Arts and Sciences aimed at protecting the Florida scrub has spurred a related study of microbes found in the soil of former citrus groves. The citrus research is led by Joshua Fowler, a postdoctoral research associate. The sandy, well-drained soils of the Florida scrub, which support many native plants, also provide ideal …

PGRs

PGRs Can Produce Remarkable Results

Daniel CooperAll In For Citrus Podcast, PGRs

Tripti Vashisth, associate professor of horticultural sciences with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), has been studying the use of plant growth regulators (PGRs) to improve citrus tree health and fruit retention for several years now. Her work has culminated into a systems approach of when to use a particular PGR at a certain time …

rules

Rules and Regulations of Pesticide Use

Daniel CooperCEU, Pesticides

By Alissa Hevesh Editor’s note: This article grants one continuing education unit (CEU) in the Core category toward the renewal of a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services restricted-use pesticide license when the accompanying test is submitted and approved. A minimum score of 70% is required to receive credit. Pesticides are regulated to ensure the safety and well-being of the …

artificial intelligence

CITRUS NURSERY SOURCE: How Artificial Intelligence Applications Could Enhance Nurseries

Daniel CooperCitrus Nursery Source, Technology

By Peter Chairs The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ (UF/IFAS) commitment to the use and development of artificial intelligence (AI) in production agriculture is fueling conversations throughout the citrus industry. For most of us, AI was not even on our radar a few years ago. Today, commercial and nursery growers are excited about the development of …

biosolids

Biosolids: The Scoop on Processed Poop

Daniel CooperRegulation, Tip of the Week

By William Mitchell, Taylor O’Bannon and Michelle Danyluk Biosolids, sometimes referred to as sewage sludge, are a primarily organic solid product produced by wastewater treatment processes. These organic solids are often used as an inexpensive soil amendment to enhance soil quality. KNOW THE RULES AND RISKS The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR) prohibits the use of …

AccuWeather

AccuWeather Issues Hurricane Season Forecast

Daniel Cooperhurricane

The AccuWeather 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season forecast predicts 13 to 18 named storms this year. Seven to 10 of those storms are expected to strengthen into hurricanes. Three to five of the storms are predicted to strengthen into major hurricanes (Category 3 hurricane or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale). Category 3 hurricanes have maximum sustained winds of 111 …

Lakeland

PIECES OF THE PAST: A Lakeland Citrus Story

Daniel CooperPieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette I was recently at the opening of the Lakeland History and Culture Center’s new citrus exhibit called “From the Groves, Lakeland’s Citrus Story,” located in the Lakeland Public Library by Lake Morton. Lakeland was once called the “World’s Citrus Center,” so this exhibit is long overdue. It’s been two years in the making by LuAnn Mims, …