Citrus World Leaders to Meet in Daytona

Jaci SchreckengostTop

Business leaders of the global citrus industry will gather in Daytona Beach, Florida, on March 27 and 28 at the International Citrus Business Conference to develop solutions and strategic plans to ensure the survival of the world’s citrus industry. Citrus greening and declining OJ demand are threatening the survival of the citrus industry. Now more than ever, the leaders of …

Freeze Summary for Florida and Georgia Citrus

Ernie Nefffreeze

Temperatures dipped into the 20s in much of the Florida Citrus Belt on the morning of Jan. 18, but the state’s largest citrus growers association expected little, if any, freeze damage. Florida Citrus Mutual spokesman Andrew Meadows said there could be minor or moderate fruit loss in some low-lying pockets, “but absolutely no tree damage.” The coldest Florida citrus region …

citrus

Citrus Agency Shifts Money as Industry Seeks Aid

Daniel CooperCitrus, Citrus Greening, Industry News Release

The Florida Department of Citrus adjusted its budget Wednesday for the second time this growing season, as leaders of the storm-battered industry hold out hope the U.S. Senate will approve a disaster-relief package. The Florida Citrus Commission, which oversees the department, agreed to shift more than $70,000 out of administration, scientific-research and global-marketing budgets to cover an anticipated drop in …

citrus crop

Putnam on Citrus Forecast and Need for Federal Assistance

Daniel CooperIndustry News Release

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its Jan. 12 citrus crop forecast for the 2017-2018 season: “Florida’s iconic citrus industry and its growers continue to struggle with the unprecedented damage caused by Hurricane Irma. This damage, combined with the cumulative impacts of citrus greening, leaves Florida’s growers …

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Florida Citrus Mutual Sets Goals for 2018 Legislative Session

Abbey TaylorLegislative

The Florida legislative session began Jan. 9 in Tallahassee. Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM) has several goals for the 2018 session to aid an industry already dealing with devastating challenges. Andrew Meadows, FCM’s director of communications, says a big item on FCM’s radar is Hurricane Irma. The industry is continuing to suffer from the storm that occurred in September 2017. So, …

Diversification Possibilities for Cold-Tolerant Citrus

Jaci SchreckengostFreeze Protection, Top

North Florida and south Georgia citrus growers now have opportunities to diversify their crops and expand their season with cold-tolerant citrus varieties. Peter Andersen, a professor of horticulture at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy, said satsumas make up a majority of the citrus industry in the area. …

International Citrus Business Conference Focuses on Market Improvement

Jaci SchreckengostCitrus Greening, Top

The 2018 International Citrus Business Conference will be a meeting to tackle the pressing issues facing the citrus industry, including the rapid decline of citrus juice markets. Allen Morris, of Morris Agribusiness Services, says the citrus industry has lost 50 percent of the U.S. orange juice market since 2002. The industry continues to decline at a swift 5 to 7 …

florida

Imported Citrus Numbers Continue to Grow in Florida

Daniel CooperCitrus, Industry News Release

An increase in imported orange juice is anticipated by the Florida Citrus Commission to offset a decline in tax revenue from the state’s hurricane-battered growers, who await congressional action on disaster relief. The commission — during a brief conference call Wednesday — agreed to shift $556,147 from reserves to help cover the Department of Citrus’ budget for the current fiscal …

rubio

Disaster Relief Package Would Help Citrus Industry

Daniel CooperCitrus, hurricane, Industry News Release

Florida’s storm-battered citrus growers are closer to landing federal relief sought since Hurricane Irma devastated large parts of the state’s agriculture industry in September. The U.S. House on Wednesday will consider providing $2.6 billion for lost farm crops as part of an $81 billion disaster-relief package, which has been attached to the latest short-term “continuing resolution” needed to keep the …

citrus

Tax Bill Includes Help for Citrus Replanting

Daniel CooperCitrus, Citrus Greening, hurricane, Industry News Release

A proposal aimed at helping citrus growers replant after Hurricane Irma is included in a federal tax overhaul that could be approved this week by Congress, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., said Monday. The proposal, sponsored by Buchanan and backed by Florida’s congressional delegation, would provide tax incentives for farmers who cannot afford to replace trees damaged by the storm …

Cold-Tolerant Citrus Production Event

Jaci SchreckengostFreeze Protection, FSMA, Top

More than 100 growers from Florida and Georgia gathered at the Cold-Tolerant Citrus Production for the Southeastern Coastal Plain educational event on Dec. 13. Bob Hochmuth, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Science’s (UF/IFAS) Suwannee Valley Agricultural Extension Center, introduced the event, which was held at the center. Morning presentations by UF/IFAS speakers included information …

crop forecast

Citrus Industry Squeezed if Congress Doesn’t Help

Daniel CooperCitrus, Industry News Release

No “plan B” is available if Congress does not add citrus funding to the latest disaster relief package, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam said Wednesday. A day after the U.S. Department of Agriculture further reduced a forecast of the post-Hurricane Irma orange harvest, Putnam reiterated the need for federal assistance to the struggling industry, which could see damages from the …

Growing Citrus in the HLB Era

Tacy CalliesHLB Management

By Jim Gravley The entire citrus industry has changed since the arrival of HLB (citrus greening). To ensure success and produce a quality product, the grower must adapt and truly understand the issues brought on from the infection of HLB. The disease was officially identified in 2005 in South Florida, and we are still fighting to save this great industry. …

florida citrus

Florida Citrus Hall of Fame Inductees Chosen for 2018

Daniel CooperCitrus, Industry News Release

Two distinguished leaders will be inducted into the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame (FCHOF) during the 56th Citrus Celebration Luncheon on Friday, March 9, 2018, at Florida Southern College in Lakeland. L. Gene Albrigo, of Daytona Shores, and Marvin D. Kahn, of Sebring, will be honored at the luncheon, scheduled to take place at 11:30 a.m. Gene Albrigo has led …

UF Study: Screen Houses May Help Prevent Grapefruit Greening

Abbey TaylorCitrus Greening, Grapefruit

By: Brad Buck, 352-294-3303, bradbuck@ufl.edu GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Grapefruit grows better under screen houses than in unprotected groves because the indoor facilities keep out the insect that causes citrus greening, new University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research shows. Protecting citrus from greening is essential, UF/IFAS researchers say. The disease, first detected in Florida in 2004, …

International Citrus Business Conference Offers Rare Opportunity

Tacy CalliesIndustry News Release

The citrus industry has never been under such major threats to its survival as it is now. Citrus greening has drastically reduced Florida’s citrus crops. Orange juice and grapefruit juice consumption are dramatically down, and it’s not just due to higher prices. Consumers are switching to other beverages. Now more than ever, the citrus industry must gather its experts and …

citrus

Gov. Scott Proposes $22 Million for Florida Citrus Industry

Tacy CalliesIndustry News Release

Governor Rick Scott’s Securing Florida’s Future budget proposes $22 million for the Florida citrus industry. This includes $5 million supporting Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) marketing programs aimed at educating and increasing awareness among consumers of the health benefits of Florida citrus and Florida orange juice as well as $650,000 for new variety research ensuring Americans have access to the …

International Citrus Business Conference

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Update on Citrus Undercover Production Systems Research

Tacy CalliesHLB Management

By Arnold Schumann, Laura Waldo, Alan Wright and Rhuanito Ferrarezi  Authors’ note: This article was written before Hurricane Irma passed through Florida. We are still assessing the full impact and implications of storm damage to both University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus undercover production systems (CUPS) facilities and will provide updates in future articles. Citrus …

citrus

Nursery Challenges Pot License ‘Preference’ for Citrus Industry

Daniel CooperCitrus, Industry News Release

A Sarasota nursery has filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of part of a new law that includes a preference for the citrus industry in the state’s awarding of potentially lucrative medical-marijuana licenses. The lawsuit, filed last week by TropiFlora, LLC in Leon County circuit court, is similar to a case filed in September that challenges another provision in the …