dorian

Citrus Industry Dodges Hurricane Dorian

Ernie Neffhurricane

“This was a big miracle,” Indian River Citrus League Executive Vice President Doug Bournique said late Wednesday morning after Hurricane Dorian had passed Florida’s Citrus Belt. He said while assessments were still being made, there apparently was only minimal leaf and fruit loss in the Indian River region. The Indian River area was the closest Florida citrus-growing region to Dorian, …

Sneak Peek: September 2019 Citrus Industry Magazine

Tacy CalliesSneak Peek

The September issue of Citrus Industry features highlights from this year’s record-setting Citrus Expo. Inside you’ll find: An overview and photos from the trade show and educational programs A report in the Pulpwash column on the general session, which included speakers who addressed three hot topics in Florida ag: hemp, water and labor Research updates from the citrus seminar program, …

Growers Benefit From Citrus Expo Programs

Ernie NeffCitrus Expo

The new Citrus Expo hands-on session hosted by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) drew a full house of appreciative growers. “I think it went a lot better than we were expecting,” says Michael Rogers, director of the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center. . “We had a full house … They (growers) thought it …

florida citrus

Citrus Crop Value Up as Farmland Shrinks

Daniel CooperCitrus, Industry News Release

Florida citrus production and crop value is up from a year ago, when the industry was trying to recover after being hit hard by Hurricane Irma. But the industry continues to bleed acreage in the state, according to numbers released Aug. 28 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The federal agency’s commercial citrus inventory recorded 430,601 acres spread across …

june

All In For Citrus Podcast, August 2019

Taylor HillmanAll In For Citrus Podcast

August’s All In For Citrus podcast includes some exciting updates from the recent Citrus Expo! First, Michael Rogers, director of the Citrus Research and Education Center, summarizes the good grower responses that the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences( UF/IFAS) received about the seminar program at Citrus Expo. He discusses the new Hands-on Session that attracted a …

citrus expo

PIECES OF THE PAST: A Look Back at the First Citrus Expo

Tacy CalliesCitrus Expo, Pieces of the Past

Industry members attended the 28th annual Citrus Expo this month. Let’s take a look back to the event’s beginnings. Known as the Southwest Florida Citrus Expo at the time, the event took place Aug. 26–27, 1992, shortly after Hurricane Andrew hit South Florida. The first Citrus Expo was held at the Lee Civic Center in North Fort Myers, the same …

streetman

Streetman Receives Florida Citrus Packers’ Highest Honor

Daniel CooperAwards, Citrus, Industry News Release

Florida Citrus Packers honored George H. Streetman with its John T. Lesley Award for Excellence at Packinghouse Day. The John T. Lesley Award is the organization’s highest recognition, reserved for individuals making sustained and outstanding contributions to Florida’s fresh citrus industry. The list of recipients reads like a “who’s who” of the Florida citrus industry. Streetman served as president of …

citrus forecast

Trade Issues Update for Fresh Citrus

Ernie NeffTrade

Dan Richey, president of Riverfront Packing Company, gave an update on trade issues impacting fresh Florida citrus at the Aug. 19 Citrus Packinghouse Day in Lake Alfred. Foreign sales are extremely important for fresh Florida citrus, says Richey, a member for five years of the Agricultural Trade Advisory Committee, appointed jointly by the U.S. secretary of agriculture and the U.S. …

Students Learn About Citrus at Youth Day

Ernie NeffCitrus

Jazlyn Sanchez and Alexander Garzon, attendees at the June Citrus Youth Day, talk with Citrus Industry Editor Tacy Callies about their experience. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences event was held at the Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred. “This is actually my third year at the event,” says Sanchez, a 10th grader. “I’m …

FMC Citrus Ag Production Scholarship Program Will Launch at 2019 Citrus Expo

Tacy CalliesAwards, Scholarship

FMC to award five scholarships to Florida students. FMC, in collaboration with AgNet Media, announces a new scholarship program for students interested in citrus and horticultural studies at the University of Florida or Florida Southern College. “FMC understands how important the next generation is to the citrus industry in Florida,” said Eric Johnson, FMC retail marketing manager. “We hope this …

guide

Latest Citrus Production Guide to Be Unveiled at Citrus Expo

Daniel CooperCitrus Expo, Industry News Release, Production

The latest technical advice on citrus greening disease, tree nutrition, grove management and other aspects of Florida citrus cultivation will reach growers Aug. 14–15, as the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) unveils the newest edition of its annual guide at the 2019 Citrus Expo. Known as the “Florida Citrus Production Guide 2019–2020,” the 275-page document …

Supporting Citrus Growers of Today and Tomorrow

Tacy CalliesCitrus, Scholarship

By Tacy Callies Citrus Expo is well known for being a gathering place for industry leaders of all types — growers, researchers and other professionals. They come together at this popular annual event to get educated, network with peers and conduct business. CITRUS SCHOLARSHIPSupporting young people who are interested in agriculture — and in citrus, particularly — is becoming increasingly …

Citrus Exports to China and Hong Kong Down Significantly

Len WilcoxCalifornia Corner, Export

Exports of citrus from the United States to China and Hong Kong are down significantly, according to a news release from California Citrus Mutual (CCM). The association has been monitoring exports to China and Hong Kong since the trade dispute started in the spring of 2018. The data is from reports filed by the International Trade Commission, a federal agency …

lebbeck mealybug

More Lebbeck Mealybug Finds in Florida Citrus

Ernie NeffPests

Lebbeck mealybugs, found for the first time in Florida citrus in June in Highlands County, have now been confirmed in Hardee, DeSoto and Hendry county groves. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry (DPI) verified the pest finds. Lauren Diepenbrock, University of Florida entomologist, has been working closely with growers as the lebbeck mealybug finds …

Citrus Expo Seminar Program Preview

Ernie NeffCitrus Expo

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) horticulturist Tripti Vashisth discusses the citrus seminars to be presented Aug. 14-15 at Citrus Expo. She also reports on a presentation she’ll make at Expo regarding fruit drop. Vashisth is organizing the Citrus Expo educational sessions for growers. She says the goal is to present “something useful for the growers …

barriers

Citrus Black Spot Quarantine Area Updated in Florida

Daniel CooperDiseases, Industry News Release

Effective immediately, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is adding eight sections in Charlotte County, nine sections in Lee County, 28 sections in Hendry County, and five sections in Collier County to the citrus black spot (CBS) quarantine area in Florida. This action is in response to the confirmation of CBS during annual surveys conducted by APHIS and …

Citrus Industry Magazine CEU 2019 Article #3

Protecting soil and water while using pesticides By Laurie A. Hurner 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. Pesticides, pesticides, pesticides. It seems that the word pesticide has become quite …

citrus

Citrus Marketing via Social Media

Ernie NeffMarket

A presentation that David Armano, global strategy director at Edelman/Edible, made at the Florida Citrus Mutual annual conference this summer focused on marketing via social media. His company is the Florida Department of Citrus’ (FDOC) consumer marketing agency. Following his presentation, he and FDOC Executive Director Shannon Shepp discussed the use of social media for marketing Florida citrus. “We found …

Sneak Peek: August 2019 Citrus Industry Magazine

Tacy CalliesSneak Peek

The August issue of Citrus Industry magazine has everything you need to make the most of your time at Citrus Expo. The complete guide to the event includes a seminar schedule, exhibitor directory, details about the new hands-on citrus session and more. The Vegetable and Specialty Crop Expo is once again being held jointly with Citrus Expo. The general session …