nutrition

Peptide, CRAFT Research Funded

Ernie NeffResearch

A company that recently obtained a patent for a natural peptide solution to treat HLB has received Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) funding to see if the product has efficacy for other citrus diseases. CRDF will fund the company, Elemental Enzymes, for about $61,200, said CRDF Chief Operating Officer Rick Dantzler. Elemental Enzymes proposes to do research “to see …

Sending Fresh Citrus out of Florida

Tacy CalliesFresh, Tip of the Week

By Mark A. Ritenour The holiday season is a busy time for sending friends and family thoughtful gifts. For Floridians, the abundance of fresh produce during the winter months motivates many to share the experience with others. This is especially true for fresh citrus. Florida’s citrus gift fruit shippers have been supplying such treats for decades. With COVID-19 and a …

wage

Effort to Make Ag Workers a Top Vaccine Priority

Ernie NeffCOVID-19

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) on Dec. 2 urged Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to include agricultural workers among the state’s top priorities for the COVID-19 vaccine allocation. The request was similar to one various national-level food industry organizations made to President Donald Trump in November. “We understand the state has begun preparations for the rollout of the initial …

Citrus Woes Cut Alico Income

Ernie Neffbusiness

Alico, Inc. reported net income of approximately $23.7 million for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, down from $37.8 million for the prior fiscal year. It attributed the decrease in net income primarily to three factors: A decline in the market price per pound solids for citrus fruit this past 2019-20 harvest season largely attributable to unfavorable industry supply dynamics …

Keep OJ Shelves Stocked, Video Urges

Ernie NeffOrange Juice

A video being developed for the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) aims to educate retail buyers about the rise in demand for 100 percent orange juice (OJ) during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to FDOC Executive Director Shannon Shepp, the video will encourage buyers to take another look at the space allocation for OJ and all other Florida citrus products. The …

New Virtual UF/IFAS OJ Breaks for Growers

Ernie NeffEducation

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension citrus program is launching a webinar series of OJ Breaks free to all Florida citrus growers. The twice-a-month meeting series will provide the latest information on grove production practices and research findings.  The series will be delivered via Zoom and start Dec. 15. “COVID-19 has made it difficult …

psyllid

Keep Your Pesticide License Current

Tacy CalliesTip of the Week

By Ajia Paolillo Do you hold a Florida restricted-use pesticide (RUP) license? With the new year approaching, this is a great time to review the continuing education units (CEUs) that you have earned toward the renewal of your RUP license. Your license comes up for renewal every four years, and it is easy to forget about this with everything we …

nominations

Four to Join Citrus Hall of Fame

Ernie NeffAwards

The Florida Citrus Hall of Fame will induct four new members in 2021. They are John L. Jackson of Sorrento, Florida; the late Lew J. Prosser of Plant City, Florida; Adam H. Putnam of Memphis, Tennessee; and Steven D. “Steve” Sorrells of Arcadia, Florida. They will be inducted during a luncheon tentatively scheduled for Nov. 5 at Florida Southern College …

Florida’s Natural Growers Get Good Returns

Ernie NeffProcessing

Although COVID-19 whacked away-from-home sales at hotels, restaurants and the like in 2019-20, Florida’s Natural posted record net sales and its growers received strong returns on their fruit. “Our results were better than expected,” said Frank Hunt III, chairman of the nation’s third largest orange juice producer. Chief Financial Officer Chip Hendry pegged the cooperative’s historical high net sales at …

Sneak Peek: December 2020 Citrus Industry

Tacy CalliesSneak Peek

The ability to adapt is essential in growing citrus. John Gose, the cover story subject in the December issue of Citrus Industry magazine, knows this to be true. With nearly 40 years of citrus-growing experience at Lykes Bros., Gose has had to adapt to many changes during his career. Learn how he is adapting to citrus greening and the contributions …

Things to Be Thankful for This Year

Tacy CalliesTip of the Week

By Ruth Borger Despite 2020 being a challenging year with a lot to complain about, there are many things to be thankful for. This is the time of year to take a few minutes to reflect on what we have to be grateful for. Here are just a few things to be thankful for that come quickly to mind. A …

Citrus Alcohol Market to Grow

Ernie NeffMarket

Global demand for the citrus alcohol market is set to hover at approximately a 5 percent growth rate, as increasing preference for craft beer and rising alcohol consumption create fertile ground, according to a recent study. The study looked at citrus alcohol growth in more than 20 countries. “Citrus, owing to its flavor and strong acidity, has become an integral …

SWFREC Recognizes Growers During Farm-City Week

Ernie NeffAgriculture

Nov. 18-25 is National Farm-City Week, a time to recognize and honor the contributions of the country’s agriculturalists and to strengthen the bond between urban and rural citizens. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC) took the opportunity to recognize the agriculturists in its area. Some of its statements …

positive

Korea Is the Top Market for U.S. Oranges

Ernie NeffTrade

Korea is the United States’ top export market for oranges and the third largest market for lemons and grapefruit, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) recently reported. Oranges, lemons and grapefruit account for 99 percent of the country’s total citrus imports. More information from USDA/FAS about the Korean market follows: Citrus imports by Korea dropped in 2019 …

florida

Program to Protect California Ag Workers Expands Again

Len WilcoxCalifornia Corner, COVID-19, Labor

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announced that Yolo and Imperial counties are now included in the Housing for the Harvest program. This program provides temporary hotel housing for farm and food-processing employees to self-isolate if they have been exposed to COVID-19 and cannot properly self-isolate at home. Twelve counties are now participating in Housing for the Harvest: …

Strong Growth for Citrus Water Market

Ernie NeffMarket

The global citrus water market is projected to reflect strong growth in 2020 in spite of the widespread coronavirus outbreak. While lockdown restrictions have limited demand from the food-service sector, lucrative opportunities have arisen for the short-term owing to the demand for functional beverages during the crisis period. A recent report by Future Market Insights indicates that demand for the …

USDA OJ Purchases Set Precedent

Ernie NeffOrange Juice

Marisa Zansler, economist for the Florida Department of Citrus, recently gave the Florida Citrus Commission an update on U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Section 32 purchases of orange juice (OJ). A summary of her report follows. The purpose of USDA Section 32 purchases is to help alleviate depressed markets for domestically produced agriculture products. The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service also …

South African Citrus Exports to Set Record

Ernie NeffExport/Import

South African citrus exports, both globally and to the United States, are expected to reach record levels in 2020, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS). The expected record is based on the pace of exports up to August 2020, increased production, a spike in demand for health reasons and limited logistics disruptions …

Sneak Peek: November 2020 Citrus Industry

Tacy CalliesSneak Peek

As the new Florida citrus season starts, growers have many things on their minds: the low citrus forecast, the threat of potential freezes, and how best to protect both trees and employees. The November issue of Citrus Industry magazine aims to address these concerns. First up is a complete report on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s initial crop forecast for …

orange

FDOC Offers 2020-21 Citrus Season Outlook

Ernie NeffEconomics

Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) economist Marisa Zansler recently broke down the expected utilization of the 57 million boxes of oranges Florida is forecast to produce in the 2020-21 season. She also offered projections for utilization of grapefruit and specialty fruit, and made other economic projections in her outlook for the season. ORANGESAbout 96 percent of the orange crop is …