Projects Selected for Existing Tree Therapies Program

Josh McGillCRAFT

The Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation received nearly 700 eligible applications — representing more than 42,000 acres — for its new Existing Tree Therapies Program. A random lottery drawing was recently conducted by a third party, and 159 projects have been selected for inclusion in the program. The remaining applications have been placed on a waitlist.  CRAFT staff …

Indian River Center to Add Citrus Researcher

Josh McGillIndian River, Research

Brazil native Flavia Zambon will become assistant professor of production horticulture of citrus and other tree crops at the Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC) in November. The IRREC, located in Fort Pierce, is a branch of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).  Zambon has had years of research experience in all of Florida’s …

SCFBA

Safeguard Produce Supply, Coalition Urges

Josh McGillInternational

The Global Coalition of Fresh Produce recently called on national and international policymakers to implement measures to safeguard the supply of affordable and safe fruits and vegetables worldwide. The coalition also sought to ensure the viability of the fruit and vegetable industry. The coalition made the requests in a report titled Global Value Chains for Fresh Produce: An Urgent Call …

Determine Tree Health With Canopy Assist

Josh McGillHLB Management, Technology, Tip of the Week

By Amit Levy and Tripti Vashisth Many Florida citrus growers are currently injecting oxytetracycline, spraying gibberellic acid (GA) or treating trees with enhanced nutrition. A new program offered by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UFIFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) can help growers determine if these treatments are improving tree health and leading to …

cups

Long-Term Research Proves CUPS Performance

Josh McGillCUPS, Research

Arnold Schumann, a professor of soil fertility and water quality with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), led the effort to study the effectiveness of citrus under protective screen (CUPS) in protecting trees from HLB. The work resulted in growers having confidence in the practice. Today, Florida CUPS plantings are closing in on 1,000 commercial …

Hurricane Relief Act Advances

Josh McGillhurricane, Legislative

The U.S. House Committee on Agriculture on May 11 reported favorably on a bill that would provide relief to Florida agriculture producers harmed by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole in 2022. The Block Grant Assistance Act is a bill to ensure the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) can provide that relief. The bill will head to the U.S. House floor for …

Growing Matters: BeSure! Campaign Stresses Importance of Pesticide Labels

Josh McGillGrowing Matters

The BeSure! campaign from the Growing Matters Coalition tells us it’s always a good time to check your pesticide’s label.  The coalition says when choosing crop protection tools, both effectiveness and potential impact on the environment must be considered. Protecting bees and other wildlife is a major part of good stewardship practices and is why Growing Matters launched BeSure!, an initiative to support growers …

disease

Weather, Costs and Other Citrus Impacts

Josh McGillProduction, Weather

In U.S. Citrus Production – An Uphill Battle to Survive, Daniel Munch zeroed in on issues impacting citrus-producing states. In excerpts that follow, the American Farm Bureau Federation economist focuses on weather, disease, population, production shifts and increasing costs that have impacted citrus. FLORIDA FACES NUMEROUS CHALLENGESIn 2017, Hurricane Irma’s high winds and damaging rains battered key citrus-producing regions in …

Citrus Pest Management Course Offered

Josh McGillEducation, Pests

Citrus industry workers interested in learning more about citrus pest management are encouraged to enroll in Citrus Pest Management, a 16-week course taught by University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) faculty in the fall of 2023. The class provides a comprehensive overview of citrus pests and how best to manage them in today’s citrus greening environment. …

Monitor and Manage Ambrosia Beetles

Josh McGillPests

Winter Storm Elliott brought freezing temperatures to the Florida Panhandle Dec. 24–28, 2022, resulting in significant damage to citrus in the cold-hardy growing region. Trees that received significant freeze damage are more vulnerable to pests and diseases. Ambrosia beetles are among the pests being seen as a result of the storm. Because ambrosia beetles generally prefer dead or dying trees, …

U.S. Citrus Concerns Summarized

Josh McGillProduction

American Farm Bureau Federation economist Daniel Munch recently detailed concerns about the U.S. citrus industry in a report titled U.S. Citrus Production – An Uphill Battle to Survive. Excerpts providing an overview of those concerns follow.  Once leaders in citrus crop production, U.S. growers (particularly those in Florida) have faced numerous challenges that have led to an unfortunate decline in …

Seminar Speakers Share Latest Citrus Research

Josh McGillEducation, Events, Research

The citrus session at the Florida Grower Citrus Show started off with a special award acknowledgement by Ron Cave, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC). Cave recognized Pasco Avery for his induction into the 2022 class of the IPM Hall of Fame from the Southern IPM …

commercial

Citrus Research Funding Update

Josh McGillResearch

During the recent Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute, Michael Rogers, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center, provided details on recently funded citrus research projects. “The $16.3 million (from the U.S. Department of Agriculture) will go toward new research or continuing research to keep promising projects going,” Rogers said.  Eight …

dry

Considerations for High-Density Citrus Plantings

Josh McGillplanting, Tip of the Week

By Amir Rezazadeh Among all the factors that will affect the productivity and profitability of a citrus grove, choosing the optimal tree spacing is crucial. Florida citrus growers are planting trees at significantly higher densities than in the past. Due to negative impacts on plant health following the emergence of huanglongbing (HLB or citrus greening) in Florida, canopy growth substantially …

California Psyllid Program Requires Compliance Agreements

Josh McGillCalifornia Corner, Regulation

The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) quarantine program now requires all harvesters/farm labor contractors (FLCs) to have valid compliance agreements to harvest citrus groves. An FLC is defined as any person or establishment that employs people to perform work related to grove management and/or harvesting commercial citrus fruit. The requirement was announced by CDFA’s …

Growers Share First Impressions of Trunk Injection

Josh McGillEvents, HLB Management

The Peace River Valley Citrus Growers Association (PRVCGA) hosted growers and industry members on National Orange Juice Day to discuss early experiences with trunk injection of oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OTC-HCl). Two new OTC-HCl products, ReMedium TI and Rectify, were registered this season for use as an HLB treatment in Florida citrus. While some growers are taking a wait-and-see approach to trunk …

Citrus Mural Unveiled on National Orange Juice Day

Tacy CalliesFlorida Department of Citrus

The Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC), in partnership with Visit Florida®, is excited to announce the new installation of a hand-painted mural by artist Lauren Hom. Beginning May 4 (National Orange Juice Day), visitors can view the new Florida citrus themed art at the Florida Welcome Center in Jacksonville. Visitors who stop at the center will be able to take …

Leader Development Program Seeks Applicants

Josh McGillEducation

Applications are open until June 16 for those interested in being part of Class 13 of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) Emerging Leader Development Program (ELDP). ELDP, administered by the Florida Specialty Crop Foundation, was launched in 2011 to identify and develop leaders to be strong advocates for Florida agriculture. Program sessions provide a wealth of information about …

What’s New in Citrus Breeding?

Josh McGillAll In For Citrus Podcast, Breeding, Varieties

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus plant improvement team joined the All In For Citrus podcast to discuss new varieties and those in the breeding pipeline. Fred Gmitter, professor of horticultural sciences, Jude Grosser, professor of plant cell genetics, and John Chater, assistant professor of horticultural sciences, also discussed how HLB has impacted their …