Citrus Australia says a newly enacted border zone instituted to curtail the spread of COVID-19 will result in citrus crops rotting if seasonal harvesters can’t get into New South Wales (NSW) quickly. The new border zone along the Murray River will tighten restrictions for entry from Victoria into NSW. “Although the agriculture industry has been defined as a critical service, …
New Resource to Help Fight Citrus Greening
If information is power, Florida citrus growers have a new asset in their fight against citrus greening disease. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) statewide citrus program launched a major revision of a website, providing instant access to a portfolio of information valuable to growers. The http://citrusresearch.ifas.ufl.edu/ website is now easier to navigate and includes …
Alternatives to Glyphosate in Groves
There are good reasons glyphosate is the most popular herbicide in U.S. citrus groves, but there are also concerns about its use, says Ramdas Kanissery. Because of the concerns, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences weed scientist suggests alternatives that growers can consider. Kanissery discusses glyphosate and its alternatives in a presentation originally intended for the …
APHIS Annual Report Highlights Citrus Efforts
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently released an annual report titled “Plant Protection and Quarantine: Helping U.S. Agriculture Thrive — Across the Country and Around the World.” The document includes updates on efforts to manage citrus diseases. “PPQ (Plant Protection and Quarantine) stands shoulder-to-shoulder with citrus growers to combat citrus canker, huanglongbing (HLB …
Australia: Juice Gets Lower Health Rating Than Diet Cola
Citrus Australia stated it is “vastly disappointed” with state ministers’ decision to remove the 5-star rating for fresh juice with no added sugar under the revised Health Star Ratings (HSR) system. The Food Regulation Forum, comprised of ministers from every Australian state and territory, on July 17 rejected Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud’s proposals to retain the current 5-star rating. …
Citrus Represented on Federal Marketing Panel
George Hamner says he intends to represent Florida citrus and “to also advocate for any Florida agricultural produce that I can” as a recent appointee to a federal marketing advisory committee. Hamner, of Indian River Exchange Packers, Inc., is one of 24 members of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee for 2020-22. “The committee’s …
New Book on the Asian Citrus Psyllid and HLB
A book about the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) and huanglongbing (HLB), edited by Jawwad Qureshi and the late Phil Stansly, was recently published by the Center for Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI). Qureshi is an entomologist with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS); Stansly was also a UF/IFAS entomologist. The book is Asian Citrus Psyllid: …
Court Rules in Favor of Florida’s Natural
A federal appeals court in New York has upheld the dismissal of a claim that Florida’s Natural Growers’ (FNG) use of the word “Natural” in its brand name was deceptive. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit made the ruling on May 29. The appeals court held that the company’s use of the word “Natural” in its …
Citrus Expo: New Format for Educational Sessions
While coronavirus will prevent the citrus industry from gathering this year at Citrus Expo, it will not stop growers from getting the education they need. The 2020 Citrus Expo educational program will be held live online Aug. 19–20 and will include door prizes. If you’re lucky, you could walk away with one of four $200 Bass Pro gift cards! The …
Citrus Grower Data Needed on Carbaryl Use
The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) is asking Florida citrus and blueberry growers for data on the use of the insecticide carbaryl (brand name Sevin). Carbaryl is listed as a recommended chemical control for chewing pests in the 2019-20 Florida Citrus Production Guide. The guide is produced by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Some …
Mental Health in Agriculture Industries
Agriculture industries have had to adapt to a lot of change in recent months. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has created a series of professional development webinars to help these industries navigate the global pandemic. The most recent session of the six-part webinar series featured a panel focused on mental health in rural communities. …
New California Face Mask Rules and Availability
In addition to California Division of Occupational Safety and Health face mask regulations, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued new mandates regarding face mask use in certain settings. WHEN TO WEAR A MASKFace masks are required whether or not members of the public are present in workplaces. The CDPH guidance also specifies that individuals engaged in work, …
Hemp: Finding Legal Seeds and Insurance
The Florida Hemp Association recently clarified which seeds can be legally grown under Florida law and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) rules. Growers must use either a seed approved by the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA) or a Pilot Project Hemp Seed approved though a university pilot project, the association reported. AOSCA is an organization …
IRCL Names President, Discusses Grove Trial
The Indian River Citrus League (IRCL) recently named a new president and provided an update on a large grapefruit trial. The new IRCL president is Daniel Scott. He succeeds Pat Schirard, who served two terms. Before being selected president, Scott served as chairman of the IRCL production committee. Scott is a third-generation citrus grower and is vice president of Scott …
UCR Scientists Say New Peptide Could Control HLB
According to a news article released by the University of California Riverside (UCR), scientists there have found a substance which may be capable of controlling citrus greening disease. The disease, also known as huanglongbing (HLB), has devastated citrus in Florida and in other regions worldwide. It also threatens California crops. The article says the new treatment effectively kills the bacterium …
OJ Federal Marketing Order Considered
The Indian River Citrus League (IRCL) recently reported on steps being taken to possibly create a federal marketing order for orange juice (OJ) to increase product demand. As background, the IRCL noted that the Citrus Administrative Committee (CAC) for decades has administered Federal Marketing Order 905 regulating the grade and size of fresh Florida citrus. The same order authorizes assessments …
FFVA: Protect Ag Workers From COVID-19
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Labor have provided joint COVID-19 guidance for agriculture workers and employers. Topics in the guidance include: creating an assessment and control plan; screening and monitoring workers; managing sick workers; returning to work after exposure; engineering controls; cleaning, disinfection and sanitation; administrative controls, including training and social distancing; cloth …
Tools to Protect Young Trees From HLB Being Studied
While citrus growers continue to look for the best practices to fight the deadly huanglongbing (HLB) disease, researchers are taking an integrated approach at protecting young trees by using tools growers already have access to. “In Florida and pretty much every citrus-producing area, we’ve been doing a lot of replanting or resets,” says Lauren Diepenbrock, an assistant professor of entomology …
Who Needs Grower Compliance Agreements?
Several growers recently asked the Highlands County Citrus Growers Association (HCCGA) if they need to sign a Grower/Caretaker Compliance Agreement (CA) they received from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). HCCGA Executive Director Ray Royce’s answer is essentially yes. He says state law requires all citrus growers and caretakers of 40 or more trees to sign a …
New Lighting Rules for California Agriculture
New nighttime lighting requirements have been set by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) and take effect on July 1, 2020. The new standard, “Outdoor Agricultural Operations During Hours of Darkness,” was heavily modified from the original proposal based on information provided by the agricultural industry throughout the course of the rulemaking process. It applies to all …





























