Surviving Citrus Acreage May Offer Hope

Kelsey FryCitrus, Citrus Greening

The fact that much Florida citrus acreage has survived even as production has tumbled drastically in recent years could offer hope for the industry’s future, grower Larry Black says. Black, who is president of Florida Citrus Mutual, offered his comments on Monday at a citrus round-table hosted by Yara North America in Tampa. Sponsored ContentReMedium TI® Trunk Injections and Wet …

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 …

Effect of HLB: Citrus Land Sales Up, Prices Down

Kelsey FryCitrus

Increased citrus land sales in 2015 at substantially lower prices show some citrus growers, especially smaller ones, are capitulating to HLB, says Dean Saunders of Coldwell Banker Commercial Saunders Real Estate. Saunders’ company released the land sales data at its annual Lay of the Land Conference on Friday. Sponsored ContentReMedium TI® Trunk Injections and Wet WeatherNovember 4, 2026Finding Opportunity Amid …

Why Florida Citrus Will Survive HLB

Kelsey FryCitrus

Speaking at the Citrus Growers’ Institute in Avon Park on Tuesday, University of Florida genetics researcher Fred Gmitter asked the question, “Will Florida’s citrus industry survive HLB?” In an interview after his presentation, he gave several reasons why he thinks the citrus industry will not only survive HLB, but thrive. Sponsored ContentReMedium TI® Trunk Injections and Wet WeatherNovember 4, 2026Finding …

Per-Acre Prices of Florida Citrus Land

Josh McGillCitrus

Average per-acre prices of scores of citrus properties sold in 2015 are provided in this summary of the annual Lay of the Land Market Report prepared by Coldwell Banker Commercial Saunders Real Estate. The prices are for the Central Ridge, Flatwoods and Indian River areas. Prices are also provided for sales of former citrus land that went into other agricultural …

Miss Florida Citrus 2016 Crowned

Josh McGillCitrus

Miss Florida Citrus 2016 Was Crowned Last Weekend Contestants competed for the title of Miss Florida Citrus 2016 on March 19 in Winter Haven. The whole room grew silent as Summer Foley, Miss Florida Citrus 2015, prepared to announce the first-place winner. Miami’s Stephanie Capon was crowned the 2016 Miss Florida Citrus. Capon’s platform was Healthy HeARTbeats: Arts for Community …

Florida Citrus Hall of Fame Inductees

Josh McGillCitrus

Citrus Industry Legends Inducted into Florida Citrus Hall of Fame Friday, March 11, was the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame Celebration Luncheon, where a crowd of over 400 citrus community and industry members welcomed three new inductees into the Hall of Fame. The inductees are Dr. William S. “Bill” Castle of Lake Alfred, John C. “Jack” Norris of Palm City, …

bactericides survey

Update on the 2016-17 Citrus Appropriations and Legislation

Josh McGillCitrus

[nextpage title=”Update on Citrus Appropriations…”] Mike Sparks, executive vice president/CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM), distributed the following update on Florida citrus appropriations and legislation: Dear FCM Board and Members: I have some very positive news to share. The items/proposals/appropriations I’ve highlighted below have been approved by the Legislature and Governor Scott. This news came about quickly after our e-mail …

Future of Florida Citrus

Kelsey FryCitrus

Hope for the Future of Florida Citrus Anyone involved in the Florida citrus industry can speak of the hardships the industry has faced since HLB first appeared in the state in 2005. One member of the industry, who has stuck with it through thick and thin, offered his positive perspective on the future of the industry. Bill Castle, University of …

bactericides survey

Tallahassee Call to Action for Citrus Industry

Kelsey FryCitrus

Mike Sparks, executive vice president/CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM), distributed the following urgent request to the citrus industry today. Dear FCM Members and Friends: As you know, the budget process in Tallahassee is winding down. By any measure the Florida citrus industry had a tremendous 2016 session. With Governor Scott’s staff poring over the budget and sharpening his veto …

Citrus Industry This Week: Using Bactericides on Citrus; Crop Forecast Changes

Kelsey FryCitrus

Today’s issue of Citrus Industry This Week includes information on everything you need to know about bactericides and the results of the latest citrus crop forecast. Want to learn more? Click here to subscribe. Click here to subscribe to the monthly Citrus Industry magazine. Sponsored ContentReMedium TI® Trunk Injections and Wet WeatherNovember 4, 2026Finding Opportunity Amid ChallengesOctober 21, 2026Citrus Producers …

Citrus Crop Forecast Increases

Kelsey FryCitrus

Mark Hudson, of the National Agricultural Statistics Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA/NASS) in Washington, D.C., issued the March citrus crop forecast. Although there was no increase in the non-Valencia oranges for this month, an increase was reported for the Valencias. There also was a slight increase for white grapefruit. Florida crop forecast: Download Audio Full crop forecast: …

Suggested Use Patterns for Antibacterial Products on Citrus

Kelsey FryCitrus

Megan Dewdney and Jim Graham with University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) have developed a suggested use pattern for the three antibacterial products that were recently allowed for use on citrus under a Crisis Declaration by Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam. The new document, titled “Suggested Antibiotic Use Pattern for Huanglongbing Management,” was put together …

Upcoming Meetings on Bactericide Use for Citrus

Kelsey FryCitrus

Florida citrus growers are reminded of three upcoming meeting on bactericide use for citrus: 1. On March 9 at 8:00 a.m., Laurie Hurner, University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences citrus agent, is hosting a citrus grower forum where several topics will be discussed in conversations led by growers and production managers; including the most recent information regarding the …

Growing Citrus Hydroponically

Kelsey FryCitrus

The benefits and challenges of growing citrus hydroponically are addressed by University of Florida researcher Arnold Schumann in this interview with Southeast AgNet’s Tacy Callies. Benefits include high, early fruit production. Nutrition is one of the challenges. Download Audio Sponsored ContentReMedium TI® Trunk Injections and Wet WeatherNovember 4, 2026Finding Opportunity Amid ChallengesOctober 21, 2026Citrus Producers Express Growing Optimism Since the …

Commissioner Adam H. Putnam Issues Crisis Declaration to Help Citrus Industry Combat Citrus Greening

Kelsey FryCitrus

From the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today issued a crisis declaration to the Environmental Protection Agency in order to help the citrus industry fight citrus greening. His statement is as follows: “We have issued a crisis declaration, which allows for the temporary use of three promising treatments that researchers …

Urgent Request from Florida Citrus Mutual

Kelsey FryCitrus

Mike Sparks, executive vice president/CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM), distributed the following urgent request to the citrus industry this morning. Dear FCM Members and Friends: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently reviewing our industry’s request to grant a Section 18 Emergency Exemption for two bactericides – oxytetracycline and streptomycin. The bactericides are essential in our fight against …

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. …

Calcium Benefits Citrus

Kelsey FryCitrus

Bill Easterwood of Yara North America proclaims the numerous benefits of calcium for citrus. He says calcium is the third most important nutrient for citrus. In this interview with Southeast AgNet’s Tacy Callies, Easterwood describes several symptoms of calcium deficiency in citrus and says the nutrient has an influence on the initiation of plant protection mechanisms. Download Audio Sponsored ContentReMedium …

Citrus Industry This Week: Science Brings Optimism; Fungal Diseases

Kelsey FryCitrus

Today’s issue of Citrus Industry This Week includes a report on bactericides from Doug Bournique, and Megan Dewdney discusses anticipated spring fungal diseases that growers will need to cope with. Want to learn more? Click here to subscribe. Click here to subscribe to the monthly Citrus Industry magazine. Sponsored ContentReMedium TI® Trunk Injections and Wet WeatherNovember 4, 2026Finding Opportunity Amid …