Moroccan

Moroccan Tangerine/Mandarin Crop to Climb

Daniel CooperCrop Forecast, International

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) recently forecast Morocco’s tangerine/mandarin production for 2024–25 at 1.1 million metric tons (MMT). That’s an increase of 16% from the prior season due to increased irrigation practices and a high level of new plantings coming into full production for the Nadorcott and Afourer varieties. The Moroccan area planted with tangerines/mandarins is …

Mexfly

Mexfly Quarantines Change in Texas

Daniel CooperPests, Regulation, Texas

Federal and state agriculture officials have reduced, established and expanded several Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly) quarantines in Texas. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) took the quarantine actions. EDINBURG On Jan. 8, the two agencies reduced the Edinburg Mexfly quarantine in Hidalgo County. The reduction includes the …

global

Global Lemon/Lime Production to Decline

Daniel CooperCrop Forecast, International

Global production of lemons and limes in 2024–25 is forecast to be down 651,000 tons, to 10.2 million tons, by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS). The decline is due to a drop in production in the European Union (EU) and Türkiye as a result of unfavorable weather and yields. Exports are forecast to rise with high …

Brix

Brix Bill Reintroduced

Daniel CooperLegislative

U.S. representatives from Florida have reintroduced legislation to have the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alter the Brix standard in not-from-concentrate pasteurized orange juice from 10.5% to 10%. The Defending Domestic Orange Juice Production Act was reintroduced by Reps. Scott Franklin and Debbie Wasserman Schultz and is cosponsored by the entire Florida congressional delegation.  Currently, oranges below the 10.5% …

Orange Crop

Update to Brazil’s Orange Crop Forecast

Daniel CooperBrazil, Crop Forecast

Fundecitrus and its cooperators released an orange crop forecast on Feb. 10. Total production is forecast to be 228.52 million boxes for 2024–25. This is a 2.4% increase from the December forecast of 223.14 million boxes, but a decrease of 1.7% from the season’s initial orange estimate that was released in May. This forecast is for the São Paulo and …

Florida Crop Forecast Has Changes

Tacy CalliesCrop Forecast, Florida

The Feb. 11 citrus crop forecast, as reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA NASS), shows both decreases and an increase for Florida when compared to the January forecast. LESS ORANGESThe 2024–25 Florida orange forecast is 11.5 million boxes, down 500,000 boxes, or 4%, from the January forecast. If realized, this will be 36% less …

brassinosteroids

When to Apply Brassinosteroids to Improve Valencia Fruit Quality

Daniel CooperPGRs, Tip of the Week

By Fernando Alferez and Divya Aryal Like the work being done with Hamlin sweet orange, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers are studying the effect of brassinosteroids (BRs) on the internal maturation of Valencia sweet orange fruits. The conditions of the treatments are the same as in Hamlin: A treatment of 186 milliliters of BR …

survey

Survey Shows Popular Scions and Rootstocks

Daniel CooperRootstocks, Survey, Varieties

The Florida Citrus State of the Industry Survey seeks input from growers on key issues affecting their groves. The survey has been conducted for many years, has tracked the trajectory of HLB and reported on production practices. While not a scientific survey, it has reflected general trends over the years. Last month, we published results on trunk-injection therapy and the …

global

Positive Gains for Mexican Orange and OJ Production

Daniel CooperCrop Forecast, International

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) recently forecast that Mexican orange and orange juice (OJ) production will both increase slightly in 2024–25. ORANGES Orange production is forecast at 5.05 million metric tons (MMT), 2% more than the previous season. Mexico ranks fourth worldwide in the production of oranges with 10% of total production. It trails only Brazil, …

Crop Transformation Center

Crop Transformation Center in Full Swing

Daniel CooperBreeding, HLB Management

By J. Scott Angle, jangle@ufl.edu, @IFAS_VP About 18 months ago, Matt Joyner, Kyle Story, Morgan McKenna Porter, Emery Smith and other Florida citrus leaders visited me in Gainesville. Together, we shaped an idea to accelerate our search for solutions to HLB. The idea is already reality. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Crop Transformation Center …

lemon production

Lemon Production in Argentina

Daniel CooperCrop Forecast, International, lemons

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) forecasts Argentine lemon production to decline to 1.38 million metric tons (MMT) in 2024–25. The prior year’s production was 1.45 MMT. The decline is primarily due to early and persistent rainfall during the blooming season, which is expected to negatively affect fruit quality. Additionally, many producers are shifting their focus …

tango

Tango Rootstock Trial Update

Daniel CooperGeorgia, Rootstocks

Members of the University of Georgia (UGA) Extension team recently wrote an update on a Tango rootstock trial in the Cold Hardy Citrus Connection. The authors were Jake Price, Mary Sutton, Doug Collins, Jacob Kalina, Josh Dawson, Holly Anderson, Michasia Dowdy, Sara Curry, Ben Reeves, Tucker Price and Justin Shealey. Edited excerpts follow:  The Tango rootstock trial has been through …

Japan’s mandarin

Japan’s Mandarin and Orange Production

Daniel CooperCrop Forecast, International

Japan’s mandarin and orange crops are both forecast to decline in 2024–25 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS). MANDARINS Japan’s mandarin production is estimated at 830,000 metric tons (MT) for 2024–25, a 4.7% reduction from the prior year. Mandarin production in Japan continues to decline because of high summer temperatures, in addition to a decreasing …

fruit flies

$129.2 Million in Emergency Funds to Combat Fruit Flies

Daniel CooperPests

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is using emergency funding to respond to threats from growing outbreaks of exotic fruit flies. Outgoing U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack approved the transfer of $129.2 million from the Commodity Credit Corporation to APHIS to directly support emergency response efforts domestically and internationally. This funding will …

temperature inversion

Temperature Inversion: Not a Friend of Pesticide Applicators

Daniel CooperCEU, Pesticides

By Wael Elwakil 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. Temperature inversion is a weather phenomenon that alters the natural air movement in the lower layer of the atmosphere (troposphere). …

oxytetracycline

Lessons From Oxytetracycline Injection Trials

Daniel CooperHLB Management

By Ute Albrecht, Carol Tardivo, Gabriel Pugina, Larissa Nunes, Jasmine de Freitas and Gerardo Moreno Since the approval of oxytetracycline (OTC) injection to manage citrus greening (huanglongbing, HLB) in Florida, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) plant physiology team at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC) has completed various research trials with multiple …

PGRs

Orange Production in Chile

Daniel CooperCrop Forecast, International

Orange production in Chile is projected to increase by 2.2% and total 190,000 metric tons (MT) in 2024–25, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) report. The projected production increase is based on expected high yields and a 1.4% growth in area planted to 7,300 hectares. ACREAGE EXPANSION The area planted with oranges in Chile …

CRDF

CRDF Approves Funding for Key Research Projects

Daniel CooperCRDF, Research

Rick Dantzler, Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) chief operating officer, reported that the foundation’s January board of directors meeting was a productive one that resulted in the approval of several key citrus research projects. “We had a great meeting. The board approved funding to use a strain of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) to kill the progeny of psyllids,” Dantzler said. …

herbicide tolerance

Strategies for Managing Herbicide Tolerance

Daniel CooperTip of the Week, weeds

By Ramdas Kanissery Tackling herbicide tolerance in weeds is a critical aspect of effective weed control in citrus groves. It helps prevent both current and future weed management challenges. Herbicide tolerance occurs when certain weed species naturally survive and reproduce after herbicide treatment. Unlike herbicide resistance, where genetic changes allow weeds to survive and spread, herbicide tolerance doesn’t involve any …

grapefruit production

Grapefruit Production in South Africa

Daniel CooperCrop Forecast, Grapefruit, International

South African grapefruit production is expected to rise slightly in 2024–25. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) is forecasting a 1% increase from the prior year to 425,000 metric tons (MT). PLANTINGS Grapefruit acreage in South Africa has been shrinking since 2020–21, reflecting a downward trend in global consumption. The area planted in 2024–25 will likely …