AEWR

Ruling on Adverse Effect Wage Rate Applauded

Daniel CooperLabor, Regulation

In late August, a federal court in Louisiana vacated the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) 2023 Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) Methodology rule. Grower advocacy groups applauded the ruling, noting it should help bring wage stability to the highly volatile AEWR.  The rule, published Feb. 28, 2023, based the H-2A program’s AEWRs on the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) …

witches' broom

Rootstock Influence on Witches’ Broom Disease of Lime

Daniel CooperDiseases, Limes

An Iranian study in controlled greenhouse conditions has enhanced the understanding of the influence of rootstocks on limes infected with witches’ broom disease of lime (WBDL). The study has also led to the acknowledgement that WBDL management may require tolerance of both scions and rootstocks. Authors of an article about the study are Samaneh Raheb, Sina Noorizadeh and Morteza Golmohammadi, …

fdoc

FDOC Addresses Misconceptions About OJ Brix Proposal

Daniel CooperFlorida Department of Citrus

The Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) addressed what it called misconceptions surrounding the recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposal to decrease the required sugar levels in pasteurized orange juice (OJ). Excerpts from an FDOC statement follow:  The Florida citrus industry … (has) advocated for this modification for years to more accurately reflect the natural changes in Florida’s citrus crop. …

recommendations

Georgia-Based Recommendations for Fertilization

Daniel CooperGeorgia, Nutrition

Georgia citrus growers need fertilizer recommendations that are specific to the state’s production. This would allow growers to make better decisions concerning crop management. That is one of the reasons Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, was hired in August 2024. She is conducting research that will benefit Georgia growers who need to mostly …

Farmers Feeding Florida

Farmers Feeding Florida Initiative Launched

Daniel CooperAgriculture, Florida

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, Senate President Ben Albritton (R-Wauchula) and Senate President Pro Tempore Jason Brodeur (R-Sanford) recently launched Florida’s statewide Farmers Feeding Florida initiative. Spearheaded by Simpson in partnership with the Feeding Florida Network, the Farmers Feeding Florida initiative is a priority of Albritton, sponsored in the Senate by Brodeur. The initiative expands Florida’s food bank infrastructure …

medfly

New Medfly Quarantine in California

Daniel CooperCalifornia Corner, Pests, Regulation

A portion of Santa Clara County has been placed under quarantine for the Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) following the detection of two wild female flies in the city of San José. If not stopped, Medflies can devastate fruits and vegetables by reproducing and leaving larvae in produce. The invasive flies can then spread to other regions. A quarantine is a …

Hawaii

Hawaii Ready to Export Lemons and Limes

Daniel CooperExport, Export/Import, lemons, Limes

Researchers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA/ARS) are opening new markets for America’s fruit growers. In Hawaii, Lisbon lemons and Persian or Tahiti limes, both commercially popular cultivars, are new crops recently planted on the rich-soil island of Maui. Currently, the fruit is being sold locally, but harvest volumes may eventually surpass local demand. Export from Hawaii …

soil moisture sensors

Installing and Using Soil Moisture Sensors

Daniel CooperIrrigation, Tip of the Week

By Sandra M. Guzmán and Amir Rezazadeh During Florida’s rainy and hurricane season, accurate water management becomes even more critical for citrus growers. Soil moisture sensors (SMSs) can be used as a baseline tool for making informed irrigation decisions. But to get reliable readings, it is critical to choose, install and use them correctly. WHERE TO INSTALL Proper SMS placement …

turnbull

PIECES OF THE PAST: The Turnbull Story

Daniel CooperPieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette I often wondered about the information on the Turnbull label that reads: “Turnbull Hammock. Settled in 1767 by Andrew Turnbull. Home of the Famous Indian River Oranges and Grapefruit. Grown and Packed by Oak Hill Citrus Growers Assn. – Oak Hill, Florida.” I was astounded to find out that a family in Vero Beach was direct …

snail

Snail Update: Impacts and Abamectin

Daniel CooperPests

Snail impacts on Southeast citrus production can be devastating. A big part of the problem is not the damage to citrus trees but the harm the pest inflicts on irrigation systems. Lauren Diepenbrock, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences associate professor and entomologist, conveyed this message to cold-hardy producers during the Citrus Grower’s Summer Update meeting on …

Orange Market

Orange Market Growth Projected

Daniel CooperInternational, Oranges

A report from The Business Research Company states that the global orange market size will grow from $3.64 billion in 2024 to $3.87 billion in 2025 and to $4.9 billion in 2029, developing at a compound annual growth rate of 6.1%. According to the report, the growth in the orange market can be attributed to: MAJOR PLAYERS Major companies operating …

plot

Florida CUPS: From a Small Plot of Potted Plants to 1,500 Acres

Daniel CooperCUPS

When University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Professor Arnold Schumann started a citrus under protective screen (CUPS) plot in Florida in 2014, the grapefruit trees were in above-ground pots. The plot at the Citrus Research and Education Center was on 1.33 acres that included 1 acre of planted citrus. After five years, the grapefruit trees on …

trip

Highlights From California Ag’s Trip to Brazil

Daniel CooperBrazil, California Corner

A recent Citrus Industry article reported on Brazil’s Fundecitrus hosting a delegation of agriculture leaders from California. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) also reported on the trip, which included other venues in addition to Fundecitrus. Highlights from the CDFA report follow. During the trip to Brazil, the California delegation visited farms, packinghouses, research facilities and business incubators …

global

Strong Growth for Global OJ Market Projected

Daniel CooperInternational, Orange Juice

The global orange juice (OJ) market is anticipated to expand from $3.5 billion in 2024 to $5.8 billion by 2034, according to a Global Insight Services report. According to the report, global OJ volume, estimated at 1.7 million metric tons in 2024, is forecast to reach 2.1 million metric tons by 2028. The OJ market is witnessing dynamic growth, primarily …

Mexfly

Mexfly Quarantines Reduced in Texas

Daniel CooperPests, Regulation, Texas

Federal and Texas officials have amended the Brownsville Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly) quarantine in Cameron County and the Edinburg-Palmview-Donna Mexfly quarantine in Hidalgo County. In addition, they removed the Sebastian Mexfly quarantine in Willacy County and the Roma Mexfly quarantine in Starr County. The actions taken by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and …

summer update

Summer Update Informs Growers on Impactful Issues

Daniel CooperEvents, Georgia

The annual Citrus Grower’s Summer Update meeting on Aug. 14 in Valdosta, Georgia, provided cold-hardy growers with updates on several factors impacting the industry. Information on topics ranging from snails to phytophthora to Asian citrus psyllid trapping were presented to growers who are on the cusp of harvesting another season’s crop. Jake Price, University of Georgia (UGA) area citrus agent …

medfly

Medfly Eradicated From California

Daniel CooperCalifornia Corner, Pests

A Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) infestation centered in and around the city of Fremont, California, has been eradicated. The eradication ends a 213-square-mile quarantine that began Sept. 6, 2024. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Alameda County agricultural commissioner’s office accomplished the eradication. CDFA used the release of sterile male …

Insect Pests

Insect Pests To Watch for in Georgia

Daniel CooperGeorgia, Pests

Georgia citrus growers are a couple of months away from harvest season. If producers are going to maximize this year’s crop, they need to protect it from insect pests. Apurba Barman, University of Georgia assistant professor of entomology at the Tifton Campus, discussed insect pests during the Southeast Citrus Update in Lyons, Georgia on July 24. He focused on a …

sweet spot

CUPS: Sweet Spot, AI Tool and Spraying

Daniel CooperCUPS

Researcher Arnold Schumann recently discussed much about citrus under protective screen (CUPS), including the ‘sweet spot’ size for a structure, an artificial intelligence (AI) tool for gathering information, and pest spraying tips. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) professor has learned much from a CUPS facility he initiated in 2014 and from commercial CUPS growers. …

Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau Offers ‘Make America Healthy Again’ Recommendations

Daniel CooperAgriculture

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) on Aug. 1 sent a series of recommendations to the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission. AFBF stated that the recommendations “will benefit health outcomes and ensure farmers can continue growing safe, healthy and affordable food for America’s families.” “Farmers and ranchers share the goal of advancing health in America,” said Farm Bureau President …