export

Brazilian OJ Exports to United States Surge

Josh McGillBrazil, Orange Juice

Brazil is the world’s leading exporter of orange juice (OJ) and accounts for nearly 80% of the OJ marketed in the world. For every five cups of orange juice consumed, almost four are produced in Brazil. According to the Institute of Agricultural Economics, in the first four months of the year, São Paulo exported $682 million in juice, of which …

Growers Learn About Cost-Share Opportunities

Josh McGillEvents, financial

The Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka hosted the first annual Growing Together: Central Florida Partners for Agriculture Symposium on July 27. The event was for both beginning and experienced growers and explored various tax, regulatory and insurance issues farm businesses must deal with. Several presentations focused on irrigation and nutrient management and how growers can obtain cost-share funds …

winter

Biologically-Based Management of Citrus Pests

Josh McGillBiologicals, Pests, Tip of the Week

By Jawwad Qureshi Management of the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP, Figure 1) is critical because it is responsible for spreading huanglongbing (HLB) disease. Although HLB is established in Florida, it continues to spread through ACP feeding in already infected trees and by infecting newly planted young trees. Some ACP control occurs naturally in the environment by beneficial organisms such as …

Biggest Need for Georgia Citrus Is Research

Josh McGillGeorgia, Research

The Georgia Citrus Commission members have been selected to serve the state’s up-and-coming industry. Now it is time for those five individuals to determine the pathway for the industry to be successful for the foreseeable future. Commission member Lindy Savelle believes research is the key component in advancing the state’s citrus industry. She said that is why the Georgia Citrus …

A Guide to Safe, Effective Pesticide Use

Josh McGillCEU, Pesticides

By Danielle S. Williams 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. Pesticides are vital tools in agriculture that help protect crops from pests and diseases. Pesticide use must be managed …

UF/IFAS Educational Programs at Expo

Josh McGillCitrus Expo, Education

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus researchers and Extension staff will provide multiple educational programs at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo Aug. 16–17. The event will be held at a new location this year — the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. Attendance is free to growers, but registration is required. UF faculty and staff …

Controlling Clustered Pellitory Weeds in Groves

Josh McGillweeds

Ajia Paolillo and Ramdas Kanissery with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) wrote in an Extension newsletter about clustered pellitory, a recently established weed in citrus groves. Paolillo is a multi-county citrus Extension agent. Kanissery is an assistant professor specializing in weed science.    Clustered pellitory is native to Florida and other areas in the southeastern …

Land Grant Research Prioritization Act Introduced

Josh McGillLegislative, Research

U.S. senators from Florida and Georgia have introduced legislation authorizing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to make priority research grants available for land-grant universities. The grants would fund research and development of agricultural applications of artificial intelligence (AI), advanced mechanized harvester technologies, invasive species control and aquaculture. The senators who introduced the Land Grant Research Prioritization Act are Marco …

Another Attempt to Bring Back Aldicarb

Josh McGillPesticides

Pesticide-maker AgLogic has asked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to approve use of the pesticide aldicarb on Florida oranges and grapefruit, the Center for Biological Diversity reported. The center, which opposes the approval, says it is dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places. The EPA approved a similar aldicarb request in the waning days of the Trump …

PIECES OF THE PAST: A Casserole Fit for a Queen

Josh McGillPieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette July brings summer barbecues, picnics and family celebrations. For me, one of the staples of these gatherings is a green bean casserole covered with crispy onions. So, imagine my surprise when I recently ran across a story that the recipe apparently has Florida citrus origins!  Cecily Brownstone was the food editor for the Associated Press from …

Silicon Recommendations for Citrus

Josh McGillCold Hardy, Nutrition

A University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researcher recently wrote an article about silicon that included recommendations for its use. The article by Muhmmad Shahid, assistant professor of horticulture, appeared in the UF/IFAS Cold Hardy Citrus Connection newsletter. Silicon’s benefits may include improved yield, a strengthened root system and tolerance to abiotic stress, including cold. Excerpts …

Grower-Friendly HLB Research Summaries

Josh McGillHLB Management, Research

The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) provides research directed at overcoming the devastating HLB disease and protecting the nation’s citrus industry. Since 2014, NIFA has funded approximately $200 million for HLB research projects.  Many HLB-related NIFA project one-page summaries are now easily accessible and written in a grower-friendly language and format on the …

Accelerating Citrus Breeding Efforts

Josh McGillBreeding

By John M. Chater Professors Jude Grosser and Fred Gmitter have been breeding improved citrus varieties at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) for decades. Over time, they have released several of their advanced selections. Many of these selections are sweet oranges. There is a subset of these creations …

Nutrition and Irrigation Role Reinforced for HLB Trees

Josh McGillIrrigation, Nutrition

In a virtual seminar for growers on July 19, Davie Kadyampakeni reinforced that optimal, balanced nutrition and frequent irrigation can improve HLB-affected citrus trees, yield and fruit. Kadyampakeni is a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) associate professor at the Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred. NUTRITION“Citrus fruit yields, juice quality and canopy size …

citrus

All In For Citrus Podcast, July 2023

Josh McGillAll In For Citrus Podcast, Citrus Expo

The Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo is fast approaching, scheduled for Aug. 16–17 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. The event is the subject of the July 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 Center, previews the presentation he will be giving …

Rossi Selected for Leadership Training

Josh McGillEducation

Lorenzo Rossi, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professor, has been selected to train in the American Society for Horticultural Science’s Leadership Academy. Rossi leads a team of 15 associates who perform research to support high-value crops, including citrus, at the UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center in Fort Pierce. He was selected for …

Minimal Crop Expected in Cold-Hardy Citrus Region

Josh McGillCold Hardy, freeze

Citrus harvests are just a few months away for growers in the cold-hardy citrus region of eastern Alabama, southern Georgia and the Florida Panhandle. Unfortunately, those harvests will be reduced to about 25% of the normal crop, according to industry leaders. The Christmas freeze event devastated this year’s crop in the region. Kim Jones, who grows and packs citrus in …

Capitalize on Cooperative Research

Josh McGillResearch, Tip of the Week

By Larry Duncan The growers advising the Citrus Research and Development Foundation understand very well the importance of cooperative research projects between growers and scientists. Several years ago, they earmarked a portion of research funding, not for carefully managed laboratory experiments or small plot trials at state, federal or private research centers, but rather for grower-run trials testing potential HLB …