The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center hosted an OJ Break seminar on May 14. The speakers provided updates on developing a gene-edited citrus tree with resistance to HLB and how growers can use existing tools to mitigate the disease. Nian Wang, UF/IFAS professor, provided an update on the status of …
California Navel Production Costs Soar
It costs $4,215 per acre to grow navel oranges in California in 2025, California Citrus Mutual (CCM) reported following a recent survey of production costs. That’s up from $3,300 in 2020 (a 35% increase), $2,712 in 2015 (a 75% increase), $2,099 in 2010 (a 125% increase) and $1,555 in 2005 (a 171% increase). Additionally, CCM reported that picking and hauling …
Trunk-Injection Biopesticide for HLB
Ching-Hong Yang, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) biological sciences professor, was recently awarded a $1.5 million federal grant to support research on a compound that suppresses HLB disease. His project is titled Bringing RejuAgro to Market: Development of a Groundbreaking Trunk Injection Biopesticide for Huanglongbing (HLB). The grant is from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture …
FFVA Seeks Emerging Leaders
The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) is seeking up-and-coming leaders who want to be more involved in FFVA to apply for participation in the FFVA Emerging Leader Development Program. Applications are due by June 13. Applicants should fill out the application form and the written agreement form and send them to Sonia.Tighe@ffva.com. Launched in 2011, the yearlong leadership program …
Farm Workforce Modernization Act Reintroduced
A bipartisan group of U.S. representatives recently reintroduced the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, H.R. 3227. The bill would update the H-2A agricultural guest worker program. It is a compromise solution that supporters said provides stability for farms and farmworkers. Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California, one of those who reintroduced the bill, said, “It is well-past time we get this bipartisan …
Georgia Student Honored for HLB Research
Carlton Collins recently was named top master’s researcher in the E. Broadus Browne Research Awards for Outstanding Graduate Student Research competition at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. He was recognized for his research on huanglongbing (HLB) disease, also known as citrus greening. Collins, born in Jamaica, was introduced to citrus production on a small …
Spinach Peptides Provide Defense Against HLB
Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists have developed an approach to countering the citrus disease HLB as well as zebra chip disease in potatoes and other vegetables. Their method uses spinach antimicrobial peptides, known as defensins, which naturally defend plants against a broad range of pathogens. Their study results were recently published in the Plant Biotechnology Journal. The effects show significant …
CUPS: Pest Monitoring and Management
By Jawwad A. Qureshi Several insect pests and mites colonize citrus crops in traditional open orchards. Most pests are localized and are suppressed by predators, parasitoids and entomopathogens to levels that are not economically damaging to the crops. The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) is the primary vector of huanglongbing (HLB) disease. Despite biological and chemical control of ACP, growing a …
New Insights Into OJ Demand
By Marisa L. Zansler One-hundred percent orange juice (OJ) has long been a favorite in American households, but supply challenges, changing consumer behaviors, a crowded beverage category and higher prices have impacted how much OJ consumers buy. Recent research conducted by Sungeun Yoon sheds light on consumer price sensitivity and substitution behaviors within the category, offering actionable insights for growers, …
Brazil Announces 2025–26 Initial Orange Forecast
Fundecitrus and its cooperators on May 9 forecast the 2025–26 orange harvest in Brazil’s Citrus Belt of São Paulo and Triângulo/Sudoeste Mineiro at 314.6 million boxes. That would be a 36.2% increase over the 2024–25 harvest of 230.87 million boxes. The expected larger harvest is mainly attributed to more fruit per tree. The increased number of fruit is due to …
Turkish Lemon Export Ban Lifted After Objections
Türkiye’s Ministry of Trade (MOT) temporarily banned lemon exports April 8 because of a predicted weather-induced shortage but lifted the ban days later following negative reactions from lemon producers and exporters. The MOT imposed the ban in consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry following a cold snap that caused frost damage across several areas of the country. According …
Greening-Resistant Orange Tree Research Progresses
Researchers with the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD) recently visited Brazil to discuss cooperative efforts with Fundecitrus to develop greening-resistant orange trees. The CIRAD researchers were Raphaël Morillon and Bárbara Hufnagel. CIRAD is an agronomic research and international cooperation organization for the sustainable development of tropical and Mediterranean regions. CIRAD maintains a large citrus genomic database on …
Update on CRAFT Programs
The Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation recently provided an update about its programs: EXPEDITED PROPAGATION The supplemental Program for Expedited Propagation application period closed April 30. Contracts should be issued to the selected projects in May. EXISTING TREE THERAPY The CRAFT board of directors approved amendments to all Existing Tree Therapy (ETT) Round 1, 2 and 3 contracts …
Texas Mexfly Quarantines Altered Again
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) in April made several changes to Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly) quarantines in Texas. This includes: SULLIVAN CITY The Sullivan City quarantine was expanded by 24 square miles to 79 square miles following detection March 12 of Mexfly larvae in sour orange …
Snail Management Can Be Complex
By Lauren Diepenbrock Snail management is becoming a more common discussion in Florida citrus with the arrival of a newer species in the Southeast. The snail of concern is Bulimulus bonariensis, previously referred to as Bulimulus sporadicus (Figure 1). Over the past three years, the first emergence of newly hatched snails was noted in late April through early May. The …
Legislature Passes Historic Florida Farm Bill
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson applauded the Florida Legislature for passing the Florida Farm Bill (SB 700), the most comprehensive agriculture-focused legislation in the state’s history. Sponsored by Senator Keith Truenow and Representatives Kaylee Tuck and Danny Alvarez, the legislation was passed with strong support from both chambers, delivering sweeping reforms that protect farmland from development, invest in agricultural …
PGRs Can Produce Remarkable Results
Tripti Vashisth, associate professor of horticultural sciences with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), has been studying the use of plant growth regulators (PGRs) to improve citrus tree health and fruit retention for several years now. Her work has culminated into a systems approach of when to use a particular PGR at a certain time …
Compete in the Ag Innovation Challenge
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), in partnership with Farm Credit, is seeking entrepreneurs to apply for the 2026 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. This national business competition showcases U.S. startup companies developing innovative solutions to challenges faced by America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on June 9. Access the …
Rules and Regulations of Pesticide Use
By Alissa Hevesh 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. A minimum score of 70% is required to receive credit. Pesticides are regulated to ensure the safety and well-being of the …
Mechanism of Resistance to HLB Identified
A research team led by Jian Ye from the Institute of Microbiology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has identified the first mechanism of citrus resistance to HLB. Results of the study were published in Science. Utilizing artificial intelligence (AI), the team has also developed antimicrobial peptides that offer a promising therapeutic approach to combat the disease. This discovery addresses …





























