PFD, HLB, Crop

Peace River Growers Discuss Citrus Issues

Ernie NeffBactericides, Citrus Greening, PFD

Six citrus growers shared their views on a wide range of topics with about 50 fellow producers at a Peace River Valley Citrus Growers Association (PRVCGA) gathering Thursday in Bowling Green. PRVCGA Executive Director LeAnna Himrod, who posed questions for the panelists, summarizes the discussions by topic. Crop size: “I think that everyone’s expecting it to be lower than last …

HLB

HLB Playbook for Growers in the Works

Ernie NeffCitrus Expo, Citrus Greening

Michael Rogers, director of the University of Florida’s Citrus Research and Education Center, discussed the planned HLB Playbook at the recent Citrus Expo. The playbook should be available in print and on the Internet by January. Rogers says the playbook will feature “all the information we know about managing citrus groves in the face of HLB and how growers can …

Complimentary Copy of Citrus Tree Nutrition Book for Growers

Kelsey FryCitrus Greening

Sponsored Content A brand new book, “The Critical Importance of Citrus Tree Nutrition,” recently made its debut at Citrus Expo. Growers who attended the event were able to receive a free copy of the book, courtesy of TKI Crop Vitality. Due to the popularity of the book, TKI is extending the promotion to Florida citrus growers who have not yet …

Citrus Growers Urged to Submit Comments to EPA on Simazine

Tacy CalliesHerbicides

The herbicide active ingredient simazine (Princep®) is currently undergoing re-registration review by EPA. A crucial step in that process is the public comment period. EPA is now accepting public comments. It would be very helpful to include comments from end-users in the Florida citrus community, where simazine is an important weed management tool. Click here for concise background information and …

Why Should Growers Take the Bactericide Survey?

Kelsey FryAgriculture, Bactericides

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 …

bactericides survey

Sparks Urges Growers to Take Bactericide Survey

Ernie NeffBactericides, Citrus Greening

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

Tacy CalliesPests

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

Kelsey FryCitrus

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

Ernie NeffCitrus Greening

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

Josh McGillCitrus, Citrus Greening

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

Kelsey FryCitrus

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

Kelsey FryCitrus

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. …

packers

Packers Propose Using More FDOC Money To Market Fresh Citrus

Daniel Cooperfinancial, Florida Department of Citrus, Fresh

The Florida Citrus Packers (Packers) trade association has asked the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) to consider utilizing more of its Florida general revenue marketing dollars to promote fresh citrus from Florida. The request was made in an April 17 letter. The association, which represents packers of fresh Florida citrus, asked the FDOC to recognize that a greater percentage of …

crop

Cold-Hardy Citrus Crop Looks ‘Loaded’ for Upcoming Season

Daniel CooperCold Hardy, Production

While still early in the production season, growers in the cold-hardy citrus region are optimistic for a bumper crop this year. That optimism comes despite a mid-March freeze and prolonged drought that impacted all of the Southeast but was especially dire in South Georgia, North Florida and South Alabama. Lindy Savelle, executive director of the Georgia Citrus Association, discussed the …

citrus

CITRUS NURSERY SOURCE: As the Postfreeze Dust Settles …

Daniel CooperCitrus Nursery Source, freeze

Icy trees from the A.H. Whitmore Foundation Farm in Groveland during the recent Florida freezePhotos courtesy of Lennon Grove Service By Peter Chaires Emerging from the 2025 hurricane season unscathed, there was a newfound optimism in the air for Florida citrus growers. Trees were upright, fruit was on the tree, and incremental quality improvements were being reported. The industry collectively …

assessment rate

Change in Citrus Administrative Committee Assessment Rate

Daniel CooperFresh, Regulation

The Citrus Administrative Committee’s (CAC) assessment rate for fresh citrus has been increased to 2.5 cents per 4/5 bushel carton or equivalent of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines and pummelos grown in Florida. The prior assessment rate was 2 cents. The assessment increase was announced on April 29, 2026, in the Federal Register as a U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service …

soil amendments

Soil Amendments Improve Water Use in HLB-Affected Citrus

Daniel CooperIrrigation, soil, Tip of the Week

By Tripti Vashisth and Taylor Livingston Florida is currently experiencing one of the most severe droughts in the past 25 years, putting HLB-affected trees under intense water stress. With Florida’s well-draining sandy soils and increased water demand in HLB-affected trees, growers are in a difficult position trying to maintain adequate tree hydration. Soil amendments, such as biochar and compost, can …

crop expo

New Location and Format for the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo

Daniel CooperCitrus Expo, Events

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 …

fungicide

EPA Seeks Comments on Fungicide Strategy

Daniel CooperDiseases, Regulation

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its draft Fungicide Strategy and is inviting the public to weigh in. The draft strategy identifies practical, science-based protections that fungicide users can adopt to safeguard more than 1,000 federally endangered and threatened species. The strategy also aims to preserve the flexibility that states, growers and applicators need. EPA is opening this draft …

citrus breeding

Funding Expanded for California Citrus Breeding

Daniel CooperBreeding, California Corner

The U.S. House Committee on Appropriations has included additional funds in the fiscal year 2027 Agriculture Appropriations bill for the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) citrus breeding program in Parlier, California. It is allocating an additional $500,000 in federal funding, on top of the $1.5 million previously granted, to expand the program into California. If approved, the program …