PFD, HLB, Crop

Peace River Growers Discuss Citrus Issues

Ernie NeffBactericides, Citrus Greening, PFD

Six citrus growers shared their views on a wide range of topics with about 50 fellow producers at a Peace River Valley Citrus Growers Association (PRVCGA) gathering Thursday in Bowling Green. PRVCGA Executive Director LeAnna Himrod, who posed questions for the panelists, summarizes the discussions by topic. Crop size: “I think that everyone’s expecting it to be lower than last …

HLB

HLB Playbook for Growers in the Works

Ernie NeffCitrus Expo, Citrus Greening

Michael Rogers, director of the University of Florida’s Citrus Research and Education Center, discussed the planned HLB Playbook at the recent Citrus Expo. The playbook should be available in print and on the Internet by January. Rogers says the playbook will feature “all the information we know about managing citrus groves in the face of HLB and how growers can …

Complimentary Copy of Citrus Tree Nutrition Book for Growers

Kelsey FryCitrus Greening

Sponsored Content A brand new book, “The Critical Importance of Citrus Tree Nutrition,” recently made its debut at Citrus Expo. Growers who attended the event were able to receive a free copy of the book, courtesy of TKI Crop Vitality. Due to the popularity of the book, TKI is extending the promotion to Florida citrus growers who have not yet …

Citrus Growers Urged to Submit Comments to EPA on Simazine

Tacy CalliesHerbicides

The herbicide active ingredient simazine (Princep®) is currently undergoing re-registration review by EPA. A crucial step in that process is the public comment period. EPA is now accepting public comments. It would be very helpful to include comments from end-users in the Florida citrus community, where simazine is an important weed management tool. Click here for concise background information and …

Why Should Growers Take the Bactericide Survey?

Kelsey FryAgriculture, Bactericides

With the 2016 Citrus Expo approaching, Harold Browning, chief operations officer of the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF), is reminding Florida growers to take the bactericide survey if they haven’t already done so. The deadline to complete the survey is August 10. It can be found online at citrusexpo.net. Browning said that the bactericide survey results will be a …

bactericides survey

Sparks Urges Growers to Take Bactericide Survey

Ernie NeffBactericides, Citrus Greening

Florida Citrus Mutual CEO Mike Sparks tells why it’s important for Florida citrus growers to participate in a bactericide survey. The survey was developed by the Citrus Research and Development Foundation and is being administered by AgNet Media. Even growers who are not using the bactericides yet are asked to participate. The purpose of the survey is to collect data …

Growers Learn About Diaprepes Root Weevil Control

Tacy CalliesPests

University of Florida professor Larry Duncan presented the latest research on using entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) to control Diaprepes root weevil (DRW) in citrus to approximately 30 growers on June 30 at the Hardee County Extension Service office in Wauchula. The combination of HLB with DRW intrusion has created a situation that will accelerate the destruction of most infected trees. DRW …

New Method Tells Growers More About Citrus Decay

Kelsey FryCitrus

With citrus growers trying to save their groves in the wake of the deadly greening disease, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researcher has found a new technique that could help growers answer a vexing question – why so much fruit is dropping to the ground prematurely. If we know why fruit is dropping, we can …

Citrus Growers Share HLB Tips

Ernie NeffCitrus Greening

Sharing information, conducting field trials, being efficient, replanting, thermotherapy and managing tree stress are some of the practices five growers think might help manage HLB. The growers were panelists discussing possible ways to survive the devastating disease during Florida Citrus Mutual’s recent annual conference in Bonita Springs. Bill Barber of Lykes Brothers started and ended his presentation with a call …

Citrus Growers Surveyed on Percent of Trees Infected

Josh McGillCitrus, Citrus Greening

Florida citrus growers: 80 percent of trees infected by greening By: Brad Buck, 352-294-3303, bradbuck@ufl.edu Source: Ariel Singerman, 863-956- 8870, singerman@ufl.edu GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida’s citrus growers say as much as 90 percent of their acreage and 80 percent of their trees are infected by the deadly greening disease, which is making a huge dent in the state’s $10.7 billion …

Citrus Growers Can Begin Using Three Bactericides

Kelsey FryCitrus

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, with the concurrence of the Environmental Protection Agency, has issued a Crisis Declaration that makes the use of three bactericides legal as of today. See the Crisis Declaration for details. Growers should make sure to have a copy of the Crisis Declaration and other portions of the attachment in their possession when utilizing these products. …

Legislative Progress for Florida Citrus Growers

Kelsey FryCitrus

In a message below, Mike Sparks, executive vice president/CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual, reports positive news on the current status of the citrus industry’s agenda items in the legislative session. Dear FCM Board and Members: It’s been a whirlwind 2016 in Tallahassee and with a week left in the scheduled legislative session, I have some very positive news to share. …

Florida

Florida Citrus Show: A Day of Education and Enjoyment

Daniel CooperEvents, Florida Citrus Show

The Florida Citrus Show marked another successful event in March in Fort Pierce. The show provided attendees with a fun, informative day to learn about citrus and specialty crops while engaging with exhibitors during the tailgate-style trade show. CRAFT UPDATE Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) programs have been very popular with growers and have incentivized new citrus plantings across …

robot

Irrigation Robot Aims for ‘More Crop per Drop’

Daniel CooperCalifornia Corner, Irrigation, Technology

Water management is a major challenge facing agriculture in California and other dry regions. A new University of California Riverside (UCR) system can map soil moisture tree by tree, so growers water only where and when it’s needed. The system, detailed in the journal Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, is the work of Elia Scudiero’s research group. Scudiero is associate …

specialty crop

Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers Program: Another Chance to Apply

Daniel Cooperfinancial, USDA

The 2025 crop acreage reporting period required for specialty crop producers who want to apply for the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program has been reopened. Specialty crop producers now have until April 24 to report 2025 acres to FSA. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (USDA FSA) announced the reopening.  The ASCF program is designed to help address market disruptions, elevated input costs, persistent inflation and …

education

Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo: Education and Connection

Daniel CooperCitrus Expo

Citrus and specialty crop growers will have a great opportunity this summer to gather, learn and connect at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo. The event is set for Aug. 12–13 at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center in Fort Myers. The annual Expo brings together citrus and specialty crop producers for two days focused on practical education and valuable industry …

Brixy

CITRUS NURSERY SOURCE: Thought About Brixy?

Daniel CooperCitrus Nursery Source, Varieties

By Peter Chaires Nurseries and growers are continuously searching for suitable substitutes for Hamlin sweet orange to supply the early/mid-season orange juice market. Besides traditional sweet oranges, many new hybrids are in various stages of development. Some of these are likely to rise to the level of commercial viability in the orange-like category. Growers wanting to trial an orange-like hybrid …

Citrus Mutual

Florida Citrus Mutual Reports on Washington Visit

Daniel CooperFlorida Citrus Mutual

Matt Joyner, executive vice president and chief executive officer of Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM), reported on a recent trip that he, FCM President Kevin Koppleman and other FCM staff members made to Washington, D.C. Citrus Research and Field Trial Foundation Executive Director Steven Hall accompanied the group. During their visit, the National Citrus Council convened to discuss challenges facing citrus. …

Gmitter and Grosser

Gmitter and Grosser Receive Rare Award

Daniel CooperAwards

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus breeders and geneticists Fred Gmitter and Jude Grosser recently received the rare Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) Resident Professorship Award. The award has only been bestowed four other times in CREC’s 109-year history. The award recognizes careers that have brought distinction to the CREC through outstanding programs, important …