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Below you'll see everything we could locate for your search of “cover crops ”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on May 29 announced payment rates and the enrollment period for the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program. The USDA will issue $1.625 billion in payments to eligible specialty crop producers in response to elevated input costs and market disruptions resulting from foreign competitors engaging in unfair trade practices that impeded specialty crop …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently suggested preparations growers can make for hurricane season, which starts June 1. It also provided information about recovery resources. PREPARATIONS RECOVERY ASSISTANCE USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Risk Management Agency (RMA) offer a number of options to offset losses and help get you back on your feet. Contact your local USDA Service Center to …
The 2026 Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo makes its return to Fort Myers on Aug. 12–13 at the waterfront Caloosa Sound Convention Center. The Luminary Hotel, the event’s host hotel, is conveniently connected to the convention center. ENJOY YOUR STAY The new venue offers several opportunities to refresh and improve the Expo. The convention center will allow educational seminars to …
By Jawwad A. Qureshi Citrus under protective screen (CUPS) is a novel system for large-scale citrus production in screen houses covered with a tightly woven mesh screen on all four sides and the roof. The primary goal of this shift from a traditional open orchard to a CUPS system is to protect citrus crops from huanglongbing (HLB) disease, which is …
By Michelle Danyluk, William “Billy” Mitchell, Stephanie Brown, Emmy Collins, Keith R. Schneider and Taylor O’Bannon Most citrus growers have been meeting the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR) requirements since 2016. However, changes to this rule in May of 2024 now require growers to have an agricultural water assessment (AgWa) for production (i.e., pre-harvest) water. A …
Matt Joyner, executive vice president and chief executive officer of Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM), reported on a recent trip that he, FCM President Kevin Koppleman and other FCM staff members made to Washington, D.C. Citrus Research and Field Trial Foundation Executive Director Steven Hall accompanied the group. During their visit, the National Citrus Council convened to discuss challenges facing citrus. …
By Davie Kadyampakeni, Jonas Pereira de Souza Junior, Edilaine Istéfani Franklin Traspadini, Shankar Shrestha and Alisheikh Atta Integrated nutrient management is critical for improved and sustainable citrus production. Typical practices include split fertilization applications, the use of leguminous cover crops and the incorporation of soil amendments. This article discusses the importance of using novel blends, including macronutrients and micronutrients, as …
According to Saunders Land’s annual Lay of the Land Market Report, there were 79 Florida citrus land transactions in 2025 totaling 20,352 acres. Pricing ranged from $3,936 to $56,003 per acre. The average price per acre was $13,788. Sales ranged in size from 9.81 acres to 4,633.47 acres. Notable large transactions included a 4,633.47-acre sale in Charlotte County for $41.9 …
The Florida Ag Coalition has asked President Donald Trump for supplemental federal disaster assistance through a state-administered block grant for Florida farmers and ranchers impacted by recent freezes. The coalition represents agricultural producers and organizations across the state. The request was made in a March 9 letter. The letter noted that Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson on Feb. 20 indicated …
Georgia citrus growers, nurseries and numerous other agriculturists in eligible counties who suffered losses due to 2024’s Hurricane Helene may apply for assistance through the Georgia Hurricane Helene Block Grant Program beginning March 16. The application period will remain open until midnight on April 27. The application, eligibility requirements, guidance documents and additional details are available here. In September 2025, …
Citrus and other specialty crops suffered large losses from the late January/early February freeze that walloped Florida. Get the details in the cover story of the March issue of Specialty Crop Grower magazine. The article provides the early estimates of damage by crop according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. It also discusses efforts to secure financial …
U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody and Congressman Scott Franklin, both of Florida, have introduced legislation directing research and development of affordable crop insurance to cover losses caused by cold exposure and freezes. The Temperature Event Mitigation Policy (TEMP) Act introduction comes in the wake of the late January/early February freeze that caused an estimated $3.1 billion in losses to Florida’s crops. …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Feb. 13 it is providing $1 billion in funding for the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program. The federal aid is for specialty crops and sugar. Those commodities were not covered through the previously announced Farmer Bridge Assistance program. Citrus is one of numerous ASCF-eligible specialty crops. See the full list of …
The Florida Citrus Show has an excellent day of education and networking planned for citrus and specialty crop growers. One of the most timely talks will cover post-freeze production considerations for citrus growers. Learn what Extension resources are available to growers to assist in their recovery efforts. Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) programs have been a lifeline to growers …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) has issued a forecast for all Japanese citrus varieties for 2025–26. ORANGES Fresh orange production in Japan remains small and continues a gradual long-term decline as growers reduce investment in minor citrus varieties and prioritize more profitable crops such as mandarins. Orange production is estimated to decrease 4.7% from 4,090 …
The urgency to find a solution to huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening disease, is why citrus is an initial focus of Florida’s Crop Transformation Center (CTC). The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and the state’s citrus industry established the center three years ago. Through the CTC, faculty at the main UF campus in …
The annual Citrus State of the Industry Survey is back, and Part 1 of the results are in. The citrus section of the January issue of Specialty Crop Grower magazine shares what growers have reported on this season’s grove conditions. The report includes information on crop quality, expected yield and oxytetracycline use. Readers can scan the QR code in the …
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) provided the following tips for reducing spray drift in citrus groves: Source: UF/IFAS Sponsored ContentTake Advantage of Rising Temperatures to Treat for Fire AntsJune 8, 2026Make a Plan to Eradicate Fire Ants This YearMay 1, 2026Take the Sting Out of Fire AntsApril 1, 2026
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for Stage Two of the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP). SDRP provides more than $16 billion in disaster relief payments to eligible producers who suffered revenue, quality or production losses to crops, trees, bushes or vines due to qualifying disaster events in 2023 and 2024. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is …
Texas citrus is showing heavy crops, but limited summer irrigation has led to smaller fruit sizes so far, said Juan Anciso of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Anciso is an AgriLife Extension vegetable specialist and associate head of the Department of Horticultural Sciences at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Weslaco. According to Anciso, quality continues to remain good to …
