Farmers’ Almanac

Farmers’ Almanac Folds

Daniel CooperAgriculture

The Farmers’ Almanac announced it has published its last issue, ending a 208-year run. “It is with a heavy heart that we share the end of what has not only been an annual tradition in millions of homes and hearths for hundreds of years, but also a way of life, an inspiration for many who realize the wisdom of generations …

South African

Surge in South African Citrus Exports

Daniel CooperExport, International, Trade

South African citrus growers packed 203.4 million 15-kilogram cartons for global markets in the 2025 export season. That’s a 19% increase from the original April estimate of 171.2 million cartons, and a 22% increase from 2024 exports. INCREASE IN ALL VARIETIES Final packed figures for 2025 are: GROWTH DRIVERS Driving the growth is a combination of favorable weather conditions in …

NVDMC

CITRUS NURSERY SOURCE: NVDMC’s Research Initiatives for 2025–26

Daniel CooperCitrus Nursery Source, Research

By Peter Chaires Last month’s Citrus Nursery Source article promised additional details on New Varieties Development & Management Corp.’s (NVDMC) 2025–26 sponsored projects. While there is only space for general summaries, it is important to highlight the areas of focus for each research team, and the emphasis on short-term benefits while continuing to build a foundation for the future. NVDMC …

CRAFT

CRAFT Provides Program Updates

Daniel CooperCRAFT, planting

The Citrus Research and Field Trial Foundation (CRAFT) recently reported it has processed more than 2,000 applications for its Year 7 programs. It has received more than $207 million in eligible applications across all program areas, with approximately $106 million available for funding projects this year. FAST TRACK All eligible Fast Track applications have been funded, and 220 contracts have …

alliance

New Alliance to Support Farmers’ Mental Health

Daniel CooperAgriculture

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has expanded the reach of its Farm State of Mind initiative by joining with the Farm Family Wellness Alliance to launch the Farm State of Mind Alliance. The Farm Family Wellness Alliance began in 2020 as a pilot project by Farm Foundation and National 4-H Council. It expanded in 2023 to support offering Togetherall …

hybrid citrus

New Chinese Citrus Hybrid Sells Out in Seven Days

Daniel CooperInternational, Varieties

A team of graduate students from the Citrus Research Institute of Southwest University sold out 5,000 boxes of a newly developed hybrid citrus variety in just seven days. The Citrus Research Institute in Chongqing, China, is affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. It all started when Li Shunxin, a graduate student under researcher Cao Li, and four classmates …

potential freeze

Cold-Hardy Citrus Producers Should Prepare for Potential Freeze

Daniel CooperCold Hardy, freeze, Weather

Cold-hardy citrus producers need to be prepared for a potential freeze event next week. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, cautioned growers on the UGA Citrus Blog that temperatures are expected to drop in the low 30s across the region next Monday and Tuesday, and perhaps in the upper 20s in some areas. The …

irrigation

Irrigation and Nutrient Management for Improved Tree Productivity

Daniel CooperIrrigation, Nutrition

By Davie Kadyampakeni, Alisheikh Atta, Jonas Pereira de Souza Junior, Christopher Vincent and Tripti Vashisth Typically, citrus water requirements are low in the winter and spring due to cooler temperatures but peak in summer and early fall due to rising temperatures. Thus, improved irrigation management is critical in these times of the year for improved production. Because most citrus trees …

export

Early-Season Export Report for Brazil

Daniel CooperBrazil, Export

The first 90 days of the 2025–26 Brazilian citrus season confirmed adjustments in the export market for orange juice (OJ) and citrus byproducts. LOWER VOLUME AND REVENUE In spite of the tariff exemption on Brazilian OJ in the United States, the performance of exports from July to September was below that verified in the same period last season. According to …

November

Sneak Peek: November 2025 Citrus Industry

Daniel CooperSneak Peek

Coming soon in the November issue of Specialty Crop Grower magazine are several articles geared to citrus growers. The Citrus Industry section of the magazine addresses a range of topics, including irrigation and nutrient management, CRISPR breeding efforts, momentum and research projects for the Florida 2025–26 citrus season and more. One of the best ways to keep HLB-infected trees productive …

medfly

Several Expansions to Santa Clara Medfly Quarantine

Daniel CooperCalifornia Corner, Pests, Regulation

Over the past month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) have expanded the Santa Clara Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) quarantine in California three times. Their actions resulted in the inclusion of a portion of Alameda County in the quarantine while also expanding the quarantine area …

momentum

Keeping the Momentum Going

Daniel CooperFlorida Citrus Commission, Florida Department of Citrus

Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) Chairman Steve Johnson recently cited ways the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) has been helping keep momentum going for Florida citrus. During the Sept. 23–26 International Citrus and Beverage Conference, Marisa Zansler (FDOC director of economic and market research) gave a citrus outlook and marketing update to key stakeholders in the beverage market. The overarching message …

citrus concentrates market

Citrus Concentrates Market to Rise

Daniel CooperInternational, Orange Juice

The global citrus concentrates market is anticipated to rise from U.S. $9.69 billion in 2025 to U.S. $13.81 billion by 2032, according to Persistence Market Research. The firm reports that citrus concentrates are in demand due to their versatility, natural flavor and nutritional benefits. They are widely used in juices, carbonated drinks, confectionery and dairy products, with orange and lemon …

movement

Texas Mexfly Fruit Movement Protocol Revised

Daniel CooperPests, Regulation, Texas

Federal agriculture officials have revised the requirements for the interstate movement of fresh citrus fruit from core areas of a Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly) quarantine in Texas. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued a revised federal order and protocol on Sept. 23. The protocol in the federal order provides three schedules for the interstate …

class

FFVA Names New Emerging Leader Development Class

Daniel CooperEducation

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) has announced the Class 15 members of its Emerging Leader Development Program (ELDP).  Class 15 members are: Over the coming year, class members will gain a comprehensive understanding of the agricultural industry. They will do that by visiting FFVA’s headquarters, touring farming and packing operations across Florida, meeting with elected officials and state …

Lennon Grove Service

Lennon Grove Service Awarded for Sustainable Farming

Daniel CooperAwards

The Florida Farm Bureau Federation presented Lennon Grove Service, Inc. with a This Farm CARES award on Oct. 6 at the Orange County Farm Bureau annual meeting. The grove was recognized for sustainable farming practices. The award is given to farmers and ranchers enrolled in best management practices. Established in 2000, Lennon Grove Service focuses on citrus production as well as …

Tampa Bay Lightning

FDOC Announces New Partnership With Tampa Bay Lightning

Daniel CooperCitrus, Orange Juice

The Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) has partnered with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Benchmark International Arena to promote Florida orange juice (OJ).  Throughout the 2025-26 season, fans will enjoy Florida OJ in fresh ways, including in-arena mocktails, pregame giveaways and interactive product sampling stations at Ford Thunder Alley and Publix Plaza. Lightning fans will also see and experience Florida …

October

Sneak Peek: October 2025 Citrus Industry

Daniel CooperSneak Peek

Breeding efforts to develop citrus trees resistant to HLB are well underway. But how long does the process take before trees are available to growers? Manjul Dutt, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professor, addresses this question and more in the Citrus Industry section of the October issue of Specialty Crop Grower magazine. His article …

OTC injection

Influence of Rootstock and OTC Injection on Valencia Yield

Daniel CooperHLB Management, Research, Rootstocks

By Kim D. Bowman, Ute Albrecht and Caroline Tardivo Profitability of citrus in Florida has been severely reduced by the impact of huanglongbing disease (HLB). Previous studies have demonstrated that rootstock selection and injection of established trees with oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OTC) can both significantly improve the health, cropping and fruit quality of trees affected by HLB. However, neither a superior …

weeds

The Relationship Between Snails and Weeds Needs Research

Daniel CooperPests, weeds

The preference of Bulimulus bonariensis snails to feed on weeds in citrus groves does not necessarily imply that increased weed management will lead to a reduction in pest populations. This relationship requires further research by Lauren Diepenbrock, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professor and entomologist. “It’s something I think we really need to look …