Florida

Climate Change in the Cold-Hardy Citrus Region

Daniel CooperCold Hardy, Weather

Climate change is a key reason that citrus production has progressed in South Georgia, North Florida and South Alabama, the area known as the cold-hardy citrus region. As more varieties, other than satsuma mandarins, continue to be planted in the area, warmer temperatures are needed for trees to flourish. Arnold Schumann, professor of soil fertility and water quality at the …

citrus canker

Citrus Canker Spreading in Cold-Hardy Region

Daniel CooperCold Hardy, Diseases

Citrus canker has long been a presence and concern for Florida’s citrus growers. Growers in North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama should be wary of its potential spread into the cold-hardy citrus region. Clive Bock, a research plant pathologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, spoke about the disease during the recent Cold-Hardy Citrus Meeting at the University of …

shiranui

Shiranui Gaining Popularity in Cold-Hardy Citrus Region

Daniel CooperCold Hardy, Varieties

Leaders in the cold-hardy citrus region have long advocated for growers to diversify their crop portfolios. Lindy Savelle, executive director of the Georgia Citrus Association, has wanted citrus producers in North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama to plant alternatives to satsuma mandarins, which has been the predominant citrus type produced in the region. Diversification helps extend the harvest season. …

cups

CUPS Expensive but Beneficial

Daniel CooperCold Hardy, CUPS

The benefits of implementing citrus under protective screen (CUPS) could be major for growers in the cold-hardy region. But they first must overcome the major limiting factor associated with the system — its cost. Arnold Schumann, a professor of soil fertility and water quality at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education …

managing

Immediate Response Required When Managing HLB

Daniel CooperCold Hardy, HLB Management

The first chore for growers in the cold-hardy citrus region when managing citrus greening is scouting for the disease and its vector, the Asian citrus psyllid. The next step is prompt removal of any trees infected with the disease, says Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and small fruits pathologist. “At this point, we think greening is still …

Mind Your Melon

Mind Your Melon Campaign Needs Your Input

Daniel CooperAgriculture, Survey

If you are a Florida grower, you might have heard about the Mind Your Melon mental health awareness campaign. We’ve written about it before here at AgNet Media. Marshal Sewell and his wife Taylor officially launched Mind Your Melon in May of 2022 during Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental health has been a passion for Sewell since 2007 when his …

plan

Marketing Plan Essential for Growers

Daniel CooperMarketing

Crop production is only half the battle for citrus growers in the cold-hardy citrus region of North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama. The other half is knowing where that crop is headed once it is harvested. Bill Barber, Ag Services LLC and Certified Crop Adviser, stressed to growers during a recent citrus meeting that they should have a marketing …

breeding

HLB at Center of Florida Citrus Breeding Efforts

Daniel CooperBreeding, Varieties

Peter Chaires, New Varieties Development and Management Corp. executive director, spoke about citrus breeding at the Cold Hardy Citrus Workshop on Sept. 24 at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office in Perry. Chaires said HLB tolerance “is an essential element of everything that’s being done in the breeding program with a stronger emphasis than …

Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo

Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo: Agriculture Matters

Daniel CooperCitrus Expo

More than 350,000 acres of citrus and specialty crops were represented at this year’s Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo in Tampa, Florida, on Aug. 21–22. These acres represented growers from central and southern Florida, as well as producers from the cold-hardy citrus region of North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama. More than 150 exhibitors and sponsors covered the trade …

Hurricane Debby

Hurricane Debby Damage in the Cold-Hardy Citrus Region

Daniel CooperCold Hardy, hurricane

The impact of Hurricane Debby on the cold-hardy citrus region appears minimal, according to one industry expert. Lindy Savelle, executive director of the Georgia Citrus Association and member of the Georgia Citrus Commission, said any damage from the wind-heavy storm was limited to the younger citrus trees. Savelle has groves in Georgia’s Thomas County. YOUNG TREES “When we get a …

cold-hardy citrus

CITRUS NURSERY SOURCE: Strong Support for Cold-Hardy Citrus Growers

Daniel CooperCitrus Nursery Source, Cold Hardy

By Peter Chaires The citrus research program at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC) includes several projects aimed at assisting growers in the cold-hardy citrus region. Let’s take a look at what researchers are working on. EVALUATING SCIONS AND ROOTSTOCKS Presently, the citrus industry in North Florida faces …

study

HLB Management Different for North Florida Citrus

Daniel CooperCold Hardy, HLB Management

Living with huanglongbing (HLB) disease (citrus greening) is a much different process for citrus growers than protecting their crop from it. Growers in the cold-hardy citrus region are currently trying to keep the devastating disease out of their area. Industry experts like Michael Rogers, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Citrus Research and Education Center director, are …

Citrus Health Forum

Citrus Health Forum Helps Cold-Hardy Growers

Daniel CooperCold Hardy

Production in the cold-hardy citrus region is still in its infancy. Growers and industry leaders need events like the Citrus Health Forum to obtain the necessary information to help this young industry continue to flourish. The latest forum took place at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy …

Potassium and Silicon Improve Cold Hardiness

Tacy CalliesCold Hardy, Tip of the Week

By Muhammad Shahid Winter freeze is the main threat to the emerging citrus industry in North Florida, South Georgia and Southeast Alabama. Growers use microsprinkler irrigation as a freeze-protection strategy to protect the graft union of young trees, but it is not very effective in protecting aboveground plant parts in established trees. PLANT PROTECTIONUse of stress-mitigating substances could be an …

TEMP Act Aims to Provide Freeze Insurance for Growers

Josh McGillfreeze, Legislative

A U.S. senator and Congress members from Florida have introduced legislation to direct the Risk Management Agency to research and develop a crop insurance policy to cover losses caused by cold exposure and freezes. Sen. Marco Rubio introduced the Temperature Endorsement for Multi-Peril Policies (TEMP Act). Representatives Scott Franklin, Darren Soto, Cory Mills and Greg Steube introduced companion legislation in …

georgia

Season’s Expectations for Cold-Hardy Citrus

Josh McGillCold Hardy, Production

High quality and low quantity are in store for this year’s cold-hardy citrus crop in eastern Alabama, southern Georgia and the Florida Panhandle. Too many natural disasters negated the volume of this year’s crop load, according to Lindy Savelle, president of the Georgia Citrus Association and member of the Georgia Citrus Commission. “We had a freeze, and then we had …

UGA Citrus Research Benefits From Freeze

Josh McGillCold Hardy, freeze, Varieties

Research in South Georgia cold-hardy citrus requires freezing temperatures for studies to be effective. When temperatures dropped below freezing for multiple days around Christmas last year, it allowed Jake Price, University of Georgia (UGA) Lowndes County Extension coordinator, to conduct extensive research into various citrus varieties and rootstocks. He discussed his research during a citrus meeting in early August. “We’ve …

Update on the Cold-Hardy Citrus Region

Josh McGillCold Hardy

By Danielle Sprague Williams In North Florida and South Georgia, there has been a significant growth in citrus production due to the relatively mild winters, advances in freeze protection and cold-hardy citrus varieties. In addition to this, there is a relatively low incidence of the citrus greening pathogen and its vector, the Asian citrus psyllid. Due to these factors, many …

Silicon Could Benefit Florida Citrus

Josh McGillNutrition, Production

There has been much focus on the benefits of applications of plant growth regulators like gibberellic acid and 2,4-D, and more recently oxytetracycline hydrochloride to improve the health of citrus trees infected with HLB. Silicon also has been highlighted for its potential benefits to citrus. Mohammad Adnan Shahid, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professor, …

Cold-Hardy Citrus Production and Challenges

Josh McGillCold Hardy

By Maegan Beatty Cold-hardy citrus is grown across a few thousand acres in more than 16 counties in North Florida and South Georgia. The satsuma mandarin is a cold-hardy species that has been grown throughout North Florida since the 1800s. The fruit is typically medium sized, a reddish orange color and can produce the highest quality in cooler winters and …