save the date

Save the Date: Aug. 4–5, 2027

Daniel CooperCitrus Expo, Events

The 2026 Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo was one to remember! Returning to Fort Myers, the Expo brought together citrus and specialty crop growers, industry professionals, exhibitors and sponsors for two days of learning, connecting and conducting business. See highlights from the 2026 Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo! THANK YOU! AgNet Media extends a heartfelt thank you to all of …

acreage report

California Citrus Acreage Report Released

Daniel CooperAcreage, California Corner

California has an estimated 266,300 acres of bearing citrus, up just 200 acres in the past four years. That’s according to an acreage report released Aug. 5 by the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The major source of the acreage data was a questionnaire mailed to all California …

citrus diseases

USDA Battles Numerous Citrus Diseases

Daniel CooperDiseases, USDA

Although huanglongbing (HLB) disease was highlighted in the citrus section of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (USDA APHIS) recent PPQ (Plant Protection and Quarantine) 2025 Annual Report, the report also noted efforts against other citrus diseases. Those diseases include citrus canker, citrus yellow vein clearing virus, sweet orange scab and citrus black spot. The …

honor

CITRUS NURSERY SOURCE: Honoring a Long-Term Leader

Daniel CooperCitrus Nursery Source

By Peter Chaires New Varieties Development & Management Corp. (NVDMC) board members recently gathered with friends and industry colleagues at Golden Ridge Groves to honor Frank M. Hunt’s 18-year tenure as NVDMC chairman of the board. Frank stepped forward in 2005, at the inception of the organization, and remained at the helm for all but two years of the next …

citrus red mite

Citrus Red Mite Threatens Cold-Hardy Production

Daniel CooperCold Hardy, Pests

The threat of Asian citrus psyllids to cold-hardy citrus does not mean growers should ignore other insects and their potential impacts in North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama. The citrus red mite should be a concern for growers, especially in the spring and if certain weather conditions persist, explains Apurba Barman, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor of entomology …

flexibility

Disaster Relief Deadline Extended; Farmer Flexibility Increased

Daniel Cooperfinancial, hurricane, USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending the deadline for farmers to apply for Stages 1 and 2 of the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) to Sept. 30. Additionally, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is providing greater flexibility for farmers who experienced quality losses on eligible crops.  When applying for this program, farmers who experienced quality-related discounts can use verifiable and reliable documentation to …

Alabama

Top Alabama Citrus Concerns: Weather, Canker and Greening

Daniel CooperAlabama, Diseases, Weather

A recent article from Alabama A&M and Auburn universities highlighted the major issues facing citrus growers in southern Alabama’s Baldwin and Mobile counties. FREEZES One of the biggest obstacles that citrus growers face is highly variable weather, including late-season freezes. Jacob Kelley, an Alabama Extension commercial horticulture agent at Auburn University, said winter temperatures that might swing from 80 to …

USDA

USDA Report Highlights HLB Efforts

Daniel CooperHLB Management, USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) highlighted huanglongbing (HLB) disease in the citrus section of its recent Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) 2025 Annual Report. It recognized HLB as the most serious disease of citrus, currently impacting Florida and Texas and threatening citrus in Alabama, Arizona, California, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. The report …

HLB-affected

Canopy Management Critical for HLB-Affected Citrus

Daniel CooperHLB Management, Production, Tip of the Week

By Tripti Vashisth, Meryam Manzoor and Johann Hiller Fruit quality and yield remain major concerns for sweet orange growers in the HLB era. Both are closely linked to the tree’s ability to support developing fruit throughout the season. Leaves are the primary source of carbohydrates needed for fruit growth, retention and juice development. Canopy density and leaf area directly influence …

bacterium

Beneficial Bacterium Boosts Citrus Nutrient Uptake

Daniel CooperNutrition, Research, soil

Researchers have discovered a soil bacterium that helps citrus plants grow by releasing a natural chemical signal that improves the plant’s ability to take up nutrients. The finding could lead to new biological products designed to improve citrus tree health and fertilizer efficiency. An article about the study was published in Horticulture Research. The authors are Hongfei Li, Dongxin Liu, …

product

New Product Registered to Aid in the Fight Against Citrus Greening

Daniel CooperHLB Management

Silvec Biologics Inc. has announced that its RNA-based therapy-delivery product is registered for unconditional commercial use under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. The product is registered under the name Construct CTV-SoD2. “A new tool is now available to help strengthen citrus tree health and support the future of Florida’s citrus industry,” said Matt Joyner, executive vice …

hedging

Hedging Under Study for Cold-Hardy Citrus

Daniel CooperCold Hardy, Pruning

One of satsuma mandarin’s drawbacks is its alternate bearing tendency. It will produce a heavy crop load one year and a low one the next year. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, said tree hedging may provide a solution. She discussed the management technique at the Southeast Georgia Citrus Update in Lyons, Georgia on …

crop load

Understanding Crop Load and Alternate Bearing

Daniel CooperProduction

By Fernando Alferez and Muhammad A. Shahid Citrus trees bloom profusely. It is estimated that a healthy adult tree can produce more than 200,000 flowers every year. This number is much higher than that of fruits the tree can maintain and develop. Normally only between 1% to 5% of flowers set fruit that develops, matures and can ultimately be harvested. …

leader

FFVA Announces Emerging Leader Class 16 Members

Daniel CooperEducation

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) announced the selection of 13 up-and-coming leaders for Class 16 of its Emerging Leader Development Program. The program is an immersive, hands-on experience addressing the critical issues facing Florida agriculture. It helps class members develop the skills needed to lead within FFVA and beyond. Since its inception in 2011, the program — administered …

water status

Tree Water Status May Predict Citrus Cracking

Daniel CooperIrrigation, Research, Water

New research suggests that how citrus trees respond to water stress may be more important than simply how much water they receive. The findings could help growers improve irrigation management, reduce fruit cracking and protect yields as weather becomes more variable. An article about the study — “Linking plant water status dynamics to yield and fruit cracking in citrus orchards …

CRAFT

CRAFT Now Accepting Applications

Daniel CooperCRAFT, HLB Management, planting

The Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation has announced that applications are now open for Traditional New Plantings Cycle Eight and Existing Tree Therapies (ETT) Round Five. TRADITIONAL NEW PLANTINGS This program evaluates grower-selected rootstock and scion combinations under commercial growing conditions. EXISTING TREE THERAPIES This program evaluates therapeutic treatments designed to improve the health and productivity of mature …

consumer demand

Consumer Demand Outlook for Florida Citrus

Daniel CooperEconomics, Florida Department of Citrus

By Marisa L. Zansler The 2026–27 Florida citrus season is about to begin, making it an appropriate time to assess the outlook and consumer demand for Florida’s orange, grapefruit and specialty citrus production. For much of the past decade, industry conversations about what lies ahead for Florida citrus have, understandably, centered on its production challenges. The grip of citrus greening, …

Florida citrus

A Familiar Format Returns to the Florida Citrus Production Guide

Daniel CooperProduction, Tip of the Week

By Michael E. Rogers Florida citrus growers continue to adapt to new challenges, regulations and technologies while maintaining the resilience that has defined the industry for generations. Supporting that effort, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research and Extension programs remain focused on delivering practical, science-based solutions that help growers maintain productive and profitable operations. For …

hormones

Hormones May Protect Citrus Trees From Heat Stress

Daniel CooperResearch, Weather

As high temperatures become more common in citrus-growing regions, researchers are searching for ways to help trees better tolerate heat. A new study suggests that two naturally occurring plant hormones — abscisic acid (ABA) and brassinosteroids (BR) — may strengthen citrus trees’ defenses against heat stress. The research was published in the journal Horticulturae by Longfei Jin, Yueting Sun, Yanmei …

CEO

California Citrus Mutual Names New CEO

Daniel CooperCalifornia Corner

California Citrus Mutual (CCM) has selected Tom Danowski as its new CEO effective Sept. 1. Danowski most recently served 13 years as president and CEO of the Oregon Wine Board and Oregon Winegrowers Association. There, he helped drive the Oregon wine industry’s total annual economic impact from $2.7 billion to $8 billion, CCM reported.  Prior to working in Oregon’s wine industry, …