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Below you'll see everything we could locate for your search of “growers”
By Megan Dewdney Sometimes there is an unfortunate coincidence between the timing of fruit changing color and rain events. This can set up a situation where brown rot occurs unexpectedly and growers need to stop the disease after it has begun. CONTROL OPTIONS By this time of year, the traditional brown rot control measures are less effective. These are primarily …
“Bulimulus snail management is an ongoing challenge, but we have some tools to help!” researcher Lauren Diepenbrock stated in her recent Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo presentation. CHALLENGES Diepenbrock, associate professor of entomology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Citrus Research and Education Center, reported that not every Florida grove is infested with the snails. …
By Marisa L. Zansler Two decades of decline has resulted in a loss of nearly 2 out of every 3 acres since 2004. That is a sobering statistic, and it captures the harsh reality of Florida’s iconic citrus industry. The symbol of the state’s agricultural strength has endured a prolonged period of decline driven by the impacts from the spread …
A University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences (UGA CAES) publicationevaluates 12 early-maturing satsuma varieties and compares them to Owari to determine which ones may be best suited for Georgia. While Owari — harvestable late October through mid-November — is the most popular variety grown in Georgia, growers have an increasing interest in earlier-maturing citrus. The early-maturing varieties …
Vulnerability of citrus trees to phytophthora root rot is a concern for cold-hardy growers. But there are precautions that producers can implement that will guard against infection buildup. One of those precautions includes site selection and not planting trees in poorly drained locations, according to Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia assistant professor and small fruits pathologist. “Site prep is really …
Earlier this summer, the Trump administration appointed Marcinda Kester to serve as the state executive director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Kester has worked for FSA for 33 years and most recently served as the FSA county executive director for Florida’s Polk, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Prior …
The 64th annual Citrus Packinghouse Day was held in early September at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred. The event drew fresh fruit growers and packers from various parts of Florida. Presentations were given on shipping regulations, new varieties and citrus under protective screen (CUPS). Fresh fruit, …
Citrus has a brighter future in Florida and surrounding areas, according to one industry expert. Hopefully, there will be enough farmers left standing to profit from it. Rick Dantzler, Citrus Research and Development Foundation chief operating officer, was a featured speaker at this year’s Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo. He spoke about the industry’s future as it continues to navigate …
A citrus disorder called greasy green has plagued Florida grapefruit producers for several years, causing a significant reduction in profits. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Associate Professor and Extension Specialist Megan Dewdney discussed the disorder and its management at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo in August. Dewdney works at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and …
By Flavia Zambon and Mac Hossain The Millennium Block is located at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC). It is designed to support long-term citrus trials under real-world growing conditions, including HLB pressure, but without oxytetracycline injections. Currently, the block has 19 distinct grapefruit and pummelo scions in …
Researcher Manjul Dutt told a Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo audience in August why it can take up to 14 years to get a genetically modified citrus tree from discovery to commercial release. He also discussed the transgenic citrus progress at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), where he is an assistant professor at the …
In late August, Jake Price with University of Georgia Extension reported on damage to citrus caused by birds and katydids. BIRDSAs it is now getting later in the season, fruit are getting larger, and people are noticing more blemishes on fruit. Birds can cause one type of unusual damage. If you see green fruit that appears scratched or scraped with …
Pruning may help cold-hardy producers salvage their satsuma crop from one year to the next and not endure extreme alternate bearing cycles. “Pruning in the heavy year may help alleviate that alternate bearing pattern. But we still have to do the research to support that,” said Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist. While pruning …
With a global market valued at nearly $67 billion, bamboo may offer an alternative crop for Florida citrus growers whose groves have been devastated by HLB. “Bamboo is a good alternative crop to diversify beyond citrus,” said Michael Rogers, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC). “The …
Phytophthora root rot’s impact on young citrus trees is concerning for groves in the cold-hardy citrus region of North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama. Newly planted trees are more vulnerable to the disease than older, established trees, says Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia assistant professor and small fruits pathologist. He discussed the disease’s impact during the Citrus Grower’s Summer …
By Tripti Vashisth, Johann Hiller and Taylor Livingston Poor fruit quality has long been a significant hurdle for sweet orange growers in the HLB era. With high fruit drop rates and challenges in harvest management, many growers find themselves picking fruit earlier than ideal, resulting in subpar Brix levels. To effectively improve the Brix of the fruit, it is essential …
A 2024 survey showed that most Florida citrus growers used oxytetracycline (OTC) trunk injection on most of their acres, resulting in improved yield and reduced fruit drop. Tara Wade, associate professor at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, presented survey results at the recent Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo. OTC …
The September issue of Specialty Crop Grower features an article on the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo’s extensive educational program. Read highlights of what growers learned over the two-day Tampa event and hear more in the August episode of the All In For Citrus podcast. The Citrus Industry section of the magazine begins with an article detailing two big announcements …
With a record amount of funding from the Florida Legislature, the Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation hosted a road show in early September that included stops in Fort Pierce, Lake Placid and Lake Alfred to provide information about grower programs. All three stops were well attended by growers interested in learning about the latest cycle of funding. With …
Minimal satsumas this harvest season will impact cold-hardy producers far beyond the loss of production in the region. MAINTENANCE MANDATORY Growers are now tasked with maintaining their groves when there is little to no fruit on the trees. It is a chore that producers should still follow through on, however, says Jake Price, University of Georgia (UGA) area citrus agent. …
