With the 2016 Citrus Expo approaching, Harold Browning, chief operations officer of the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF), is reminding Florida growers to take the bactericide survey if they haven’t already done so. The deadline to complete the survey is August 10. It can be found online at citrusexpo.net. Browning said that the bactericide survey results will be a …
Sparks Urges Growers to Take Bactericide Survey
Florida Citrus Mutual CEO Mike Sparks tells why it’s important for Florida citrus growers to participate in a bactericide survey. The survey was developed by the Citrus Research and Development Foundation and is being administered by AgNet Media. Even growers who are not using the bactericides yet are asked to participate. The purpose of the survey is to collect data …
Growers Learn About Diaprepes Root Weevil Control
University of Florida professor Larry Duncan presented the latest research on using entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) to control Diaprepes root weevil (DRW) in citrus to approximately 30 growers on June 30 at the Hardee County Extension Service office in Wauchula. The combination of HLB with DRW intrusion has created a situation that will accelerate the destruction of most infected trees. DRW …
New Method Tells Growers More About Citrus Decay
With citrus growers trying to save their groves in the wake of the deadly greening disease, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researcher has found a new technique that could help growers answer a vexing question – why so much fruit is dropping to the ground prematurely. If we know why fruit is dropping, we can …
Citrus Growers Share HLB Tips
Sharing information, conducting field trials, being efficient, replanting, thermotherapy and managing tree stress are some of the practices five growers think might help manage HLB. The growers were panelists discussing possible ways to survive the devastating disease during Florida Citrus Mutual’s recent annual conference in Bonita Springs. Bill Barber of Lykes Brothers started and ended his presentation with a call …
Citrus Growers Surveyed on Percent of Trees Infected
Florida citrus growers: 80 percent of trees infected by greening By: Brad Buck, 352-294-3303, bradbuck@ufl.edu Source: Ariel Singerman, 863-956- 8870, singerman@ufl.edu GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida’s citrus growers say as much as 90 percent of their acreage and 80 percent of their trees are infected by the deadly greening disease, which is making a huge dent in the state’s $10.7 billion …
Citrus Growers Can Begin Using Three Bactericides
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, with the concurrence of the Environmental Protection Agency, has issued a Crisis Declaration that makes the use of three bactericides legal as of today. See the Crisis Declaration for details. Growers should make sure to have a copy of the Crisis Declaration and other portions of the attachment in their possession when utilizing these products. …
Legislative Progress for Florida Citrus Growers
In a message below, Mike Sparks, executive vice president/CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual, reports positive news on the current status of the citrus industry’s agenda items in the legislative session. Dear FCM Board and Members: It’s been a whirlwind 2016 in Tallahassee and with a week left in the scheduled legislative session, I have some very positive news to share. …
When and How To Use Silicon for Freeze Protection and Recovery
By Muhammad A. Shahid and Davie Kadyampakeni Silicon (Si) is getting a lot of attention from citrus growers as a tool to help trees handle stress, especially during cold and freeze conditions. It toughens up plant tissues, strengthens cell walls and helps trees better handle stress when it is applied at the right time. BEFORE FREEZE The most important thing …
OLL Orange Varieties Revisited at Griffin’s Grove
Last September, Jason Griffin hosted a field day in his citrus grove near Lake Alfred in partnership with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). The event was well attended, and some growers requested a second field day when the crop was closer to harvest. Griffin and UF/IFAS hosted a second event in late January as …
Top Florida Varieties and Rootstocks
Valencia SPB 1-14-19 remained the most propagated Florida citrus variety for at least the fourth straight year in 2024–25, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). The FDACS Division of Plant Industry’s Bureau of Citrus Budwood Registration recently released the Citrus Budwood Annual Report 2024–25. The report is a highly detailed 44-page document. US-942 returned as …
Sneak Peek: February 2026 Citrus Industry
The February issue of Specialty Crop Grower magazine features Part 2 of results from the Citrus State of the Industry Survey. Florida growers reveal details on their planting intentions. Find out what varieties and rootstocks they’re selecting, what percent are growing citrus under protective screen, and other insights. In the digital edition of the magazine, readers can find bonus coverage …
Join the Fun at the Florida Citrus Show
The 2026 Florida Citrus Show provides great educational opportunities for both citrus and small fruit and vegetable growers. The event is also an excellent opportunity to network with peers and learn about the latest goods and services available from the industry. The trade show portion of the event will be presented again this year in a tailgate format, which has …
Nutritional Needs of HLB-Affected Trees
By Davie Kadyampakeni, Alisheikh Atta and Edilaine Traspadini Citrus trees require optimal nutrition to be able to maintain high fruit yields, canopy size and good root health. Adequate nutrition supports not only yield and growth, but also tree resilience to disease and environmental stress, which is particularly important in HLB-affected groves. A balanced mix of macronutrients and micronutrients is needed …
Argentina Orange and Tangerine Forecasts Issued
Fresh orange production in Argentina is forecast at 680,000 metric tons (MT) for 2025–26 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS). That’s an 80,000 MT increase from the previous year. Argentine tangerine production is expected to reach 240,000 MT in 2025–26, based on favorable weather. That’s up from 180,000 MT the previous year. PLANTED AREA The …
CITRUS NURSERY SOURCE: Increased Interest in Fresh Utilization
By Peter Chaires Florida breeding programs have been largely focused on the juice stream in recent years. And for good reasons. Retaining the remaining processing capacity and infrastructure is of paramount importance to support Florida’s orange juice industry. Numerous sweet oranges have been released in hopes of achieving incremental improvements in HLB tolerance while improving juice quality. Likewise, there has …
PIECES OF THE PAST: A Legacy and a Launchpad
By Brenda Eubanks Burnette As I look back through my past columns, I realize I’ve unintentionally overlooked an organization that played a pivotal role in shaping both my career and my passion for Florida’s citrus industry — the Dundee Citrus Growers Association (CGA). Dundee CGA generously sponsored me — not once, but twice — in the Florida Citrus Queen Pageant, …
Alico Sells Large Grove in Hendry County
Alico, Inc. on Jan. 15 announced the sale of approximately 2,950 acres of citrus grove in Hendry County for $26.8 million. The company also announced that it has made significant progress in its plans to generate cashflow from its agricultural assets. Those actions have advanced its strategic transformation from traditional citrus operations to a diversified land company. According to Alico, …
Japanese Citrus Production and Trade Forecast
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 …
Oxytetracycline Performance Addressed at Citrus Workshop
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) hosted a statewide citrus grower workshop in mid-January at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee. The event offered a full day of education covering a wide range of topics, including management of pests, diseases, weeds and nutrients. Ute Albrecht, UF/IFAS associate professor of plant physiology, provided …



























