South African

South African Orange and OJ Production Forecast

Daniel CooperCrop Forecast, International

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) recently forecast production and trade for South African oranges and orange juice (OJ) in 2025–26. ORANGES South Africa’s 2025–26 orange production is forecast to increase by 1% from 2024–25, to 1,850 million metric tons (MMT). The orange planted area is projected to increase by 2% in 2025–26, reaching 46,000 hectares. Valencias …

transformation

Crop Transformation Center Speeding Up the HLB Battle

Daniel CooperBreeding, Technology

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 …

performance

Study Shows Performance of New Rootstocks

Daniel CooperResearch, Rootstocks

A recent article provides estimates for the performance of Valencia orange grafted on new hybrid citrus rootstock cultivars developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS). These estimates can help growers decide which rootstocks to plant in HLB-endemic regions. Authors of the article are Ariel Singerman of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), …

cold-hardy

Cold-Hardy Citrus Update Following December Freeze

Daniel CooperCold Hardy, freeze

Cold-hardy citrus in the Southeast endured sub-freezing temperatures in mid-December, the second major freeze to impact the region this season. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, discussed how this freeze impacted citrus trees and fruit in North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama. “We’re seeing some damage on younger trees that were probably planted …

Register Today for the Florida Citrus Show

Morgan ColeCitrus, Events, FCS24

The Florida Citrus Show is scheduled for Thursday, March 12. The event will be held at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Indian River Research and Education Center and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory in Fort Pierce. The Florida Citrus Show combines educational seminars for both citrus …

Greenie

Greenie’s Performance in the Cold-Hardy Citrus Region

Daniel CooperCold Hardy, Varieties

The December All In For Citrus podcast episode includes Muhammad Shahid, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professor at the North Florida Research and Education Center. He discusses winter preparations for the cold-hardy citrus region. For an area where freezes are common, these are important considerations. In addition to preparing for the cold, Shahid shares …

pest management

Planning Pest Management for Florida Citrus in 2026

Daniel CooperPests, Tip of the Week

By Lauren Diepenbrock Pest management is a year-round challenge in Florida citrus. But with knowledge of insect, mite and snail seasonal biology in relation to tree phenology, plans can be developed to protect fruit and maintain productive citrus trees. Populations of some highly problematic pests (Asian citrus psyllid and citrus leafminer) generally increase with flush/new growth development, so targeting peak …

marketing

Florida Citrus Marketing Efforts Updated

Daniel CooperFlorida Department of Citrus, Marketing

The Florida Citrus Commission’s (FCC) Global Marketing Committee in December provided an update on all Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) marketing programs. The FCC, appointed by Florida’s governor, is the FDOC’s governing board.  ORANGE JUICE Marketing programs for orange juice (OJ) included ongoing activities with the Tampa Bay Lightning and a media event held in New York City on Dec. …

Florida Citrus Extension Agent Retiring

Daniel Cooperextension

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) recently announced the pending retirement of multi-county citrus Extension agent Chris Oswalt. Oswalt has been the agent for Polk and Hillsborough counties for decades. Michael Rogers, UF/IFAS statewide citrus research and Extension coordinator, said Oswalt “has faithfully served and greatly benefited numerous growers, researchers and his fellow Extension agents.” …

January

Sneak Peek: January 2026 Citrus Industry

Daniel CooperSneak Peek

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 …

water deficit

Mexico Agrees to Repay Water Deficit in Texas

Daniel CooperTexas, Water

Mexico has agreed to meet the current water obligations of American farmers and ranchers and to repay the water deficit in Texas as part of the 1944 Water Treaty. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) stated that the agreement extends to the current cycle and the previous cycle’s water deficit. “Farmers across South Texas have been reeling from the uncertainty caused …

disease

Disease Research Discussed at Brazilian Workshop

Daniel CooperBrazil, Diseases

Several Fundecitrus researchers recently made presentations at the Brazilian Workshop on Plant Disease Epidemiology, held in Pirenópolis, Goiás. The scientists discussed studies on disease epidemics affecting agricultural crops and management strategies. CITRUS FLOWER ROT FORECASTING Geraldo Silva Junior addressed the citrus flower rot forecasting system — developed in partnership with Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture University of São Paulo(ESALQ/USP) …

guide

Updated Australian Citrus Guide Available

Daniel CooperDiseases, Pests, Research

The new Citrus Plant Protection Guide 2025-26 from Australia’s New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW DPIRD) is available online. The seventh edition of the guide provides up-to-date information on all aspects of managing pests and diseases in citrus orchards and includes updates on NSW DPIRD projects. Some of the projects are funded by Hort Innovation …

triazine

Support for Citrus Access to Triazine Herbicides

Daniel Cooperweeds

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) recently filed comments with federal agencies supporting continued access to the triazine herbicides simazine and atrazine for citrus and other specialty crops. The comments were submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and Environmental Protection Agency regarding FWS’ draft Biological Opinion (BiOp) for Atrazine and Simazine Herbicides. FFVA submitted the comments …

regenerative pilot

Regenerative Pilot Program To Improve Soil, Water and Productivity

Daniel Coopersoil, Water

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a $700 million Regenerative Pilot Program to help American farmers adopt practices that improve soil health, enhance water quality and boost long-term productivity. “Protecting and improving the health of our soil is critical not only for the future viability of farmland, but to the future success of American farmers,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture …

wish list

Holiday Wish List for Food Safety

Daniel CooperFood Safety, Tip of the Week

By Taylor O’Bannon, William Mitchell, Morgan Madison, Stephanie Brown, Keith Schneider and Michelle Danyluk The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Produce Safety Extension Team compiled a wish list of food-safety items for citrus growers to prepare for the new year. Some of these items are must-haves straight from the Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety …

sales

Florida Citrus Sales Continue To Take a Hit

Daniel CooperFresh, Orange Juice, sales

The Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) on Dec. 17 heard about the continued declining sales of fresh Florida citrus and orange juice (OJ). Marisa Zansler, director of economic and market research for the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC), presented the sales reports. The FCC serves as the governing board for the FDOC, which is tasked with marketing, research and regulation of …

agriculture

An Exciting Time To Be Involved in Agriculture

Daniel CooperAwards, Legislative

Editor’s note: This is the final installment in a series honoring Ben Albritton, the 2025 Citrus Achievement Award winner. This year’s Citrus Achievement Award winner, Ben Albritton, is excited about the future prospects of agriculture in Florida. As Florida Senate President, he’s ready to take the industry’s priorities to Tallahassee for next year’s legislative session. HEALTHY CHOICES Albritton says that …

block grant

Update on Disaster Block Grant Progress

Daniel CooperEvents, financial

Florida Citrus Mutual recently hosted a grower information meeting and lunch at Kenny Sanders barn and grove in Zolfo Springs on Dec. 10. Matt Joyner, Mutual’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, welcomed attendees and provided some updates on several key issues. Joyner said one of the most common questions he has been getting lately from growers is: What’s …