New Rootstocks in the Citrus Breeding Pipeline

Tacy CalliesResearch, Rootstocks

By Jude Grosser, Fred Gmitter and Kim Bowman Two citrus breeding programs have identified several rootstocks that can currently be planted with confidence when combined with appropriate scions, including mid- and late-season oranges, and grown with emerging enhanced nutrition programs. These citrus breeding programs are at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education …

Hemp: Finding Legal Seeds and Insurance

Ernie NeffAlternative Crops

The Florida Hemp Association recently clarified which seeds can be legally grown under Florida law and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) rules. Growers must use either a seed approved by the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA) or a Pilot Project Hemp Seed approved though a university pilot project, the association reported. AOSCA is an organization …

Rootstock Effects on Valencia and Hamlin in Large-Scale Commercial Plantings

Tacy CalliesResearch, Rootstocks

By Ute Albrecht, Sudip Kunwar and Jude Grosser Prior to 1865, the only rootstocks used in Florida were sour orange and sweet orange. Use of grafted trees instead of seedling trees became necessary because of the devastating effects of phytophthora on sweet orange. Sour orange was widely used as a rootstock because of its resistance to phytophthora and other positive …

International Efforts to Market Florida Citrus

Ernie NeffMarketing

Samantha Lane, Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) director of global marketing, recently discussed international marketing highlights for Florida citrus products during the 2019-20 season. CANADAIn Canada, highlights included fresh Florida orange programs with juicing demos in Ontario grocery stores. The programs resulted in a sales increase. Issues management work took place to educate registered dietitians on the health benefits of …

Tools to Protect Young Trees From HLB Being Studied

Tacy CalliesHLB Management

While citrus growers continue to look for the best practices to fight the deadly huanglongbing (HLB) disease, researchers are taking an integrated approach at protecting young trees by using tools growers already have access to. “In Florida and pretty much every citrus-producing area, we’ve been doing a lot of replanting or resets,” says Lauren Diepenbrock, an assistant professor of entomology …

How to Use the New Florida Citrus Rootstock Selection Guide

Tacy CalliesRootstocks

By Rhuanito S. Ferrarezi, William S. Castle, Kim D. Bowman, Jude W. Grosser, Stephen H. Futch, Steve Rogers and Andres Gonzalez First published in 1989 as Rootstocks for Florida Citrus, the work of William Castle and his colleagues remains relevant 30 years later. The purpose of the fourth edition of the Florida Citrus Rootstock Selection Guide is to provide timely …

Florida Department of Citrus: A Year in Review

Tacy CalliesMarket

Last week, the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) held a live webinar to present highlights from the 2019–20 fiscal year. Areas covered included budgets, scientific research, marketing and economic market research. This past year has been one of change, transformation and success for FDOC, as it has worked in collaboration with industry to meet the needs of both growers and …

UF/IFAS

UF/IFAS in Labs, at Citrus Expo and More

Ernie NeffAll In For Citrus Podcast, Citrus Expo, Research

In the latest phase of COVID-19 re-openings, more citrus researchers have returned to University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) laboratories. Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) Director Michael Rogers says the number of researchers allowed in labs had been gradually increasing throughout the pandemic. Rogers also discusses an award won by a CREC researcher, work on …

varieties

Top Picks From Citrus Variety Display Days

Tacy CalliesCitrus, Varieties

By Yu Wang, Fred Gmitter, Jude Grosser, Joon Hyuk Suh and Peter Chaires The Citrus Variety Display Days at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) have been a unique platform to fulfill one of the core missions of the Florida citrus industry. These events help identify new selections with …

soil

CRDF Sets Tax, Discusses Research Plans

Ernie NeffCRDF

The grower assessment to help fund Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) programs will remain at 3 cents per box for the 2020-21 season. CRDF directors, sitting June 23 as the Box Tax Advisory Council, approved the assessment on commercial citrus grown in Florida. “We don’t take for granted that we’re entitled to that money,” CRDF Chief Operating Officer Rick …

orange juice

Orange and Grapefruit Juice Sales Still Up

Ernie NeffMarket, Orange Juice

In a June 19 email to members of the citrus industry, Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) Chairman Ned Hancock noted that orange juice (OJ) sales climbed in the 2019-20 season. That’s noteworthy because OJ sales had been declining for years. Hancock reported that total OJ sales for the season beginning October 2019 are up by 10.4 percent with 309 million equivalent …

Citrus Professor Awarded by UF/IFAS Extension Peers

Tacy CalliesAwards, Industry News Release

Water is essential to citrus growers. They scrutinize the amount available, its quality and when and how they should use it to grow their trees and sustain their livelihood. Soil and water sciences assistant professor Davie Kadyampakeni works tirelessly with Florida citrus growers to ensure that they have access to the most current research in water use and soil nutrient …

citrus

Report on the Florida Orange Juice Market

Ernie NeffOrange Juice

A Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) economist recently gave the Florida Citrus Commission a detailed report about Florida orange production and the not-from-concentrate (NFC) orange juice (OJ) market. On average, about 96 percent of the Florida orange crop is processed into OJ, said Marisa Zansler, director of economic and market research. Over the last five years, approximately 80 percent of …

citrus

All In For Citrus Podcast, June 2020

Taylor HillmanAll In For Citrus Podcast

Listen to the June episode of the All In For Citrus podcast to hear a bit of breaking news as well as updates on two research projects with exciting potential. Citrus Research and Education Center Director Michael Rogers learned just hours before the recording of this episode that the University of Florida was moving forward with phase three of reopening …

Good News About Juice and Kids

Ernie NeffOrange Juice

Consumption of 100 percent fruit juice by preschoolers is associated with beneficial effects on whole fruit intake and diet quality, according to a recent study. The study by researchers with the Boston University School of Medicine also found that fruit juice consumption had no adverse effect on body mass index (BMI) during childhood and into adolescence. BMI is a measure …

Preliminary 2020-21 Budget Approved for FDOC

Tacy CalliesFlorida Citrus Commission

On June 17, the Florida Citrus Commission approved a preliminary 2020-21 operating budget for the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) of nearly $20 million. The FDOC’s total preliminary budget is $19.875 million with an overall budget increase over the previous season of about $4.2 million, largely due to an increase in general revenue funds. The budget includes an anticipated $5.65 million …

Florida Citrus Commission Considers Tax Increase

Tacy CalliesFlorida Citrus Commission

To maintain a surge in orange juice sales linked to the coronavirus pandemic, the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) is looking to boost marketing, which could result in a higher tax for growers. On June 17, the Florida Citrus Commission, the governing body of the FDOC, directed staff members to map out a $10 million marketing plan that could require …

citrus

UF/IFAS Remains Resilient Amid COVID-19 Challenges

Tacy CalliesAgriculture

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) hosted a virtual statewide discussion for stakeholders on June 8 to provide an update on its initiatives. The emphasis was on efforts and issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the webinar, Nick Place, UF/IFAS Extension dean and director, highlighted Extension’s efforts to address the COVID-19 challenges. “This has …

More CRAFT Plantings to Come

Ernie Neffplanting, Research

A second phase of government-supported HLB research projects in Florida’s commercial groves is expected to be initiated this year by the Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation. A first phase, in which participating growers must have trees in the ground before June 30, saw growers signing up for 46 projects on 2,032 acres. Learn more about the first phase …

Southern Hemisphere Citrus Crop Forecast

Ernie NeffForecast, Industry News Release

A preliminary forecast for the Southern Hemisphere citrus season shows an expected small production decrease but an increase in exports. The first crop production and export forecast for the 2020 season was released by the World Citrus Organisation (WCO) on May 29. The preliminary forecast is collected from industry associations in Argentina, Australia, Chile, Peru, South Africa and Uruguay. The …