In the June All In For Citrus podcast, Michael Rogers gives an update on some of the activities keeping University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers busy this summer. Rogers is the director of the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred. One of their big projects is helping to coordinate the citrus seminars …
Orange Juice Market Share Declines
One hundred percent orange juice (OJ) fell from 67% beverage market share in 2022 to 62% in 2024, a Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) economist told the Florida Citrus Commission recently. The economist, Director of Economic and Market Research Marisa Zansler, added that orange-flavored drinks gained overall share in volume sold during the same period. The FCC is the FDOC’s …
Rootstocks for Improved Tolerance to HLB
By Lamiaa Mahmoud and Manjul Dutt Utilizing tolerant rootstocks to combat HLB is a long-term management strategy that can help sustain productivity and enhance tree survival, especially when implemented alongside other HLB management approaches. Australian limes are tolerant to HLB, and their DNA can be incorporated into HLB-susceptible citrus using conventional breeding methods to enhance tolerance to HLB. Over the …
June CSU Hurricane Forecast
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 …
Positive Changes
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 Board Convenes at Industry Conference
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 …
Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo to Feature Inspirational Speaker
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 …
Consider Summer Gibberellic Acid Applications
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 Expands Search for HLB-Fighting Molecules
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 …
Citrus Funding Appears Promising
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 …
A Review of Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers
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 …
How to Achieve Accurate Herbicide Application
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 …
Citrus Achievement Award Winner Brings the Fight to HLB
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Citrus Achievement Award. Most of those years, growers have been honored who have generational legacies in citrus. This year’s winner, too, comes from a citrus family. Ben Albritton is the 2025 Citrus Achievement Award winner. He says his family’s legacy and love for his fellow growers has him in it for the …
Citrus Rust Mites in Georgia
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 HLB Quarantines Expanded
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 …
Grower Participation Sought for Slug and Snail 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 & Specialty Crop Expo Power Panel to Address the Big Ag Issues
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 in Citrus
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, …
Nearly $23 Million Awarded for HLB 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
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 …





























