The annual Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute, hosted by University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension, will be held on April 6. The event will be delivered via a Zoom webinar from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. “We hope to reach a broad audience despite the limits imposed on us because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Chris …
Spanish Lemon Growers Optimistic About Tariff Suspension
By Francisco Seva Rivadulla The Agricultural Association of Young Farmers (ASAJA) Murcia expressed “enormous optimism” for the suspension of tariffs agreed to by the United States and the European Union (EU). Tariffs on Spanish lemons exported to the United States that were set at 25% have been temporarily lifted for four months. Similarly, the EU has suspended tariffs on U.S. …
Panhandle Growers Experience Scales
Many citrus growers in Florida’s panhandle were experiencing high populations of scales early this year, particularly Florida red scale and false Florida red scale, Jefferson County Extension agent Danielle Sprague announced in a recent issue of the Cold Hardy Citrus Connection newsletter. The newsletter is a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension publication. Sprague pointed …
Florida Growers Wanted for Rootstock Trials
The Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) is establishing a new project to evaluate the most promising citrus rootstocks in grower field trials. The rootstock trials are projected to be planted in the spring or summer of 2022. The goal will be to identify plant material with the traits needed for growers to realize the highest possible pound solids per …
California Growers Needed for Thrips Study
Researchers from the University of California’s Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center are asking for help from industry members as they investigate citrus thrips. Thrips are a serious headache for citrus growers. They cause issues in all varieties of citrus, particularly in the San Joaquin Valley. Additionally, the pest has been known to rapidly develop resistance to management materials. Growers …
Nutrition Basics for North Florida Citrus Growers
An article in the January Cold Hardy Citrus Connection newsletter offered basic nutrition management information for North Florida growers. It was written by Lisa Strange with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Taylor County Extension and Clay Olson, UF/IFAS Extension faculty, emeritus. A grower’s first nutrient management consideration is to have a soil test, the …
Growers Wanted for Nutrition Box Program
Last year, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) scientists offered Florida citrus growers soil and leaf testing along with tailored quarterly nutrition counseling in an effort to improve tree health. The Citrus Nutrient Management Program, more commonly known as the nutrition box program, has successfully supported 75 growers from 17 counties across the state. Michael Rogers, …
Growers Tour Indian River CUPS Houses
Citrus growers from several of Florida’s production regions joined researchers recently for a look inside 14-foot high screenhouses that protect trees from HLB-spreading Asian citrus psyllids. The CUPS (Citrus Under Protective Screens) Field Day took place at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Indian River Research and Education Center (UF/IFAS IRREC) in Fort Pierce. Johnny Ferrarezi, …
Copper Fungicides: The Essential Tool for Citrus Growers
One of the main issues for citrus crop growers is the quick spread of fungal and bacterial diseases due to warm, wet growing conditions. Without proper methods to prevent and control diseases, crop yield can be greatly reduced, and groves can become ruined. How do you produce a healthy citrus crop while keeping diseases under control? For generations, growers have …
California Growers Reminded to Stay Alert
Jim Gorden, chair of the Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Committee (CPDPC), is greatly concerned about the increase in sporadic Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) detections across California. Gorden sent an open letter to all citrus growers asking them to increase their vigilance against the pest and the risk of citrus greening, known as HLB disease. He said that “While the …
Potential OJ Marketing Order Leaves Growers Hesitant
Many Florida citrus growers are skeptical of the proposed federal marketing order for orange juice (OJ). The proposed marketing order would allow all U.S. fruit used in OJ and all OJ imports to be assessed to share in the cost of marketing. This federal order, however, poses some potential drawbacks for Florida juice orange growers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture …
FDOC Promotion of OJ Benefits Growers
The Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) e-commerce campaign to drive sales of 100 percent Florida orange juice (OJ) is nearing the halfway mark and continues to deliver strong results. As of Dec. 18, the e-commerce campaign reached 150 million impressions and $4.2 million in attributed sales of 100 percent OJ with a return on advertising spend of $5.45. Additionally, the …
New BMP Record-Keeping Requirements for Florida Growers
By Ajia Paolillo On July 1, 2020, new record-keeping requirements went into effect for nitrogen and phosphorus amounts applied by growers enrolled in the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Best Management Practices (BMP) program. These records are required due to the passage of Senate Bill 712, the Clean Waterways Act. Citrus growers have been asking many questions …
Fruit Drop Weighs Heavily on Florida Growers
Numerous Florida citrus growers are experiencing heavy fruit drop this fall. “For some growers, it’s the worst fruit drop they have experienced; 50 percent-plus,” says grower Lee Jones with Cross Covered Caretaking. Grower Jim Snively, with Southern Gardens Citrus, said he is hearing talk of around 30 to 50 percent-plus fruit drop. “I’m hearing pick-outs that are 20 percent to …
Growers’ Input on Pests Needed
Entomologist Lauren Diepenbrock is seeking Florida citrus growers’ help in determining information gaps and future directions for her research on pests. To get that help, she’s asking growers to participate in a survey, which is available here. Diepenbrock, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researcher, would like to have growers take the survey by March 31, …
New Virtual UF/IFAS OJ Breaks for Growers
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 …
Florida’s Natural Growers Get Good Returns
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 …
Citrus Growers Dodge Freeze
Lindy Savelle received numerous calls and texts from relatively new southern Georgia citrus growers prior to a mild freeze the morning of Dec. 2. “They were asking, ‘What should I do?’” said Savelle, president of the Georgia Citrus Association. The new growers were concerned because lows of 26 and 28 that morning were the coldest in the region in several …
Citrus Growers Tell What Technology They Use
Representatives of two Florida citrus-growing operations recently shared ways their companies have utilized drones, electronic sensors and advanced spray technology to enhance their operations. Joby Sherrod, director of grove operations for Duda & Sons, and Timothee Sallin, co-CEO of IMG Enterprises, were participants in a virtual Florida-Israel Agriculture Innovation Summit. Duda and IMG have approximately 11,000 acres and 10,000 acres …
SWFREC Recognizes Growers During Farm-City Week
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 …