alternate bearing

Alternate Bearing Affecting Cold-Hardy Citrus Production

Daniel CooperCold Hardy, Production

Trees in the cold-hardy citrus region are expected to produce a low crop in 2025 following a massive crop in 2024.  Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, believes the trees’ alternate bearing cycle will contribute to the decreased crop in 2025, especially for satsuma mandarins. “This alternate bearing pattern probably started in 2023. That …

hurricane milton

Citrus Industry Recovery After Hurricane Milton

Daniel Cooperhurricane

By Maegan Beatty In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, Florida’s citrus industry is slowly working toward recovery. The storm brought damage to groves across key growing regions, raising concerns about long-term impacts on fruit yield and tree health. As recovery efforts continue, Indian River Citrus League Executive Vice President Doug Bournique and University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural …

Registration

Registration Now Open for the 2025 Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo

Daniel CooperCitrus, Citrus Expo, Events

Registration is now open for the highly anticipated 2025 Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo. The event takes place Aug. 20–21at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. Growers and industry professionals are invited to sign up now for complimentary registration to this two-day event filled with education, networking and innovation. Hosted by AgNet Media, the Expo is Florida’s premier event for …

Indian market

Indian Market Opens for Brazilian Citrus

Daniel CooperInternational, Trade

The recent conclusion of negotiations between the governments of Brazil and India formalized the opening of the Indian market for the export of Brazilian citrus products. This includes Tahiti limes, Sicilian lemons, sweet oranges, tangerines and similar products. The Brazilian Association of Fruit and Derivative Producers and Exporters (Abrafrutas) called the agreement “a strategic achievement for the sector.” It reported …

Florida Citrus Forecast Holds Steady

Tacy CalliesAs Seen On Instagram, Crop Forecast

The 2024–25 citrus forecast released on May 12 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows little change from the April forecast. ORANGESThe Florida all-orange forecast, at 11.63 million boxes, is up less than 1% from last month. If realized, this will be 36% less than last season’s final production. The forecast consists of 4.58 million boxes of non-Valencia oranges (early, …

citrus acreage

Report Citrus Acreage to USDA

Daniel CooperAcreage, Georgia

The executive director of the Georgia Citrus Association recently reminded fellow growers of the importance of reporting their citrus acreage to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA). “Accurate acreage reporting is more than a box to check. It’s a powerful tool that directly impacts our ability to receive support, shape policy and respond to challenges,” Lindy …

tree of the future

Citrus Tree of the Future Still Years Away

Daniel CooperCRDF, HLB Management

Not surprisingly, the focus of the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) centers on providing growers with help to overcome huanglongbing (HLB) disease. CRDF President Morgan McKenna Porter believes that help will best come with the development of the “tree of the future.” She says that tree does not have to be completely resistant to citrus greening. As long as …

mites

Management of Mites for Fresh Market Citrus

Daniel CooperCold Hardy, Pests

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Associate Professor Xavier Martini recently wrote an article In the Cold Hardy Citrus Connection about management of mites for fresh market citrus. Martini is an entomologist at the North Florida Research and Education Center. An edited version of his article follows.  Two types of mites mainly affect citrus production in …

dry

Citrus Water Needs Critical Amid Dry Period

Daniel CooperIrrigation, Weather

The current dry period in the Southeast can negatively impact the region’s citrus groves. Trees in the cold-hardy citrus region of North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama need water, especially ahead of the next harvest season. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, discussed why water is so important this time of year. “Water …

Florida citrus

State Aims to Help Florida Citrus

Daniel CooperFlorida Department of Citrus, Legislative, Marketing

Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) Chairman Steve Johnson recently wrote about Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) and state legislative efforts to help rejuvenate the Florida citrus industry. Johnson described the efforts in a column titled “The Four Rs of Florida Citrus Right Now: Reset. Replant. Renew. Renaissance.” FDOC INITIATIVES Johnson listed the following efforts by the FDOC: WORKING WITH THE LEGISLATURE …

management

Developing Snail Management Programs in Florida Citrus

Daniel CooperFlorida, Pests, Research

By Lauren Diepenbrock and Nicole Quinn In recent years, a new pest has been added to the ever-evolving scope of pest management in Florida citrus: Bulimulus bonariensis snails. These snails, also referred to as ghost snails or peanut snails, were reported to be clogging irrigation jets in Central Florida in 2020 in limited locations. Now, in 2025, they have spread …

scarring

Pest Scarring Damage Can Differ by Citrus Variety

Daniel CooperCalifornia Corner, Fresh, Pests

A new pictorial guide can help California growers differentiate between the damages caused by the same pest on different citrus varieties. Comparing the Fruit Rind Scarring That Three Early-Season Pests Cause in Mandarin Species and Sweet Orange was published by University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. Early-season insect pests — such as katydids, earwigs and citrus thrips — feeding …

microbes

Citrus Groves and Soil Microbes

Daniel CooperResearch, soil

Research by the University of Miami’s College of Arts and Sciences aimed at protecting the Florida scrub has spurred a related study of microbes found in the soil of former citrus groves. The citrus research is led by Joshua Fowler, a postdoctoral research associate. The sandy, well-drained soils of the Florida scrub, which support many native plants, also provide ideal …

artificial intelligence

CITRUS NURSERY SOURCE: How Artificial Intelligence Applications Could Enhance Nurseries

Daniel CooperCitrus Nursery Source, Technology

By Peter Chairs The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ (UF/IFAS) commitment to the use and development of artificial intelligence (AI) in production agriculture is fueling conversations throughout the citrus industry. For most of us, AI was not even on our radar a few years ago. Today, commercial and nursery growers are excited about the development of …

Citrus Growers’ Institute

Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute Put Researchers Under One Roof

Daniel CooperEvents, Research

The 2025 Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute had a different setup compared to previous years. Scientists from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) convened at South Florida State College in Avon Park on April 8 to share research that will help shape the future of the Florida citrus industry. Chris Oswalt, UF/IFAS citrus Extension agent who …

Citrus Industry

Book Chronicles Florida Citrus’ Rise, Fall and Future

Daniel CooperEducation, History, Industry News Release

Fifth-generation Floridian David Sumner, who grew up in a citrus family, has written “The Rise, Fall, and Future of Florida’s Citrus Industry.” The 327-page book includes historic citrus photos dating back to the late 1800s. Sumner tells the story of Florida citrus from the end of the Civil War to the present. He visited Florida archives and conducted 53 interviews …

Lakeland

PIECES OF THE PAST: A Lakeland Citrus Story

Daniel CooperPieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette I was recently at the opening of the Lakeland History and Culture Center’s new citrus exhibit called “From the Groves, Lakeland’s Citrus Story,” located in the Lakeland Public Library by Lake Morton. Lakeland was once called the “World’s Citrus Center,” so this exhibit is long overdue. It’s been two years in the making by LuAnn Mims, …

May

Sneak Peek: May 2025 Citrus Industry

Daniel CooperEvents, Pests, Sneak Peek

The May issue of Specialty Crop Grower magazine is where to find the latest Citrus Industry articles. If your grove is in Florida, there’s a good chance ghost snails have haunted your trees and irrigation equipment. An article from University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professors Lauren Diepenbrock and Nicole Quinn offers some advice on …

What the Georgia Citrus Association Learned in California

Daniel CooperAs Seen On Instagram, California Corner, Georgia

By Clint Thompson and Nick Papagni The Georgia Citrus Association’s trip to California last week allowed industry leaders to look for opportunities to advance citrus in the cold-hardy region. One of the focuses was learning about the different varieties produced in California that could have a potential future in the Southeast. Lindy Savelle, executive director of the Georgia Citrus Association …

alternative crops

Bill Seeks Citrus Alternative Crops

Daniel CooperAlternative Crops, Legislative

A bill passed unanimously by the Florida Senate and awaiting House approval would fund a $1 million Florida A&M University (FAMU) research project to identify alternative crops for former citrus lands. While the legislation authorizes the study, it is contingent on funding approval. The $1 million budget allocation for the FAMU project is part of a larger agricultural relief effort …