The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) is now offering a new crop insurance endorsement, Hurricane Insurance Protection – Wind Index (HIP-WI). HIP-WI covers a portion of the deductible of the underlying crop insurance policy when a county, or adjacent county, is within the area of sustained hurricane-force winds. HIP-WI provides coverage for 70 different crops, including all …
Hemp Grower Partners Wanted
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) hemp program is seeking 20 qualified partners across Florida for on-farm trials. Zack Brym, agronomist at the Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead and research coordinator of the UF/IFAS Industrial Hemp Pilot Project, says partner farms will conduct a coordinated field planting on 2 acres with variations in land …
Planting-Density and Nutrition Trial Results
Planting-density and nutrition trials in the Indian River area were among the topics discussed at the Florida Citrus Show earlier this year. The presenter was Rhuanito “Johnny” Ferrarezi, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researcher at the Indian River Research and Education Center. A grapefruit planting-density trial utilized a staggered diamond set to maximize trees …
Nursery Diseases at Planting: What to Watch for
By Ozgur Batuman and Megan Dewdney Citrus nurseries work very hard and put forth considerable effort to reduce pest and disease problems. However, there continues to be problems with certain diseases, because the nursery environment for growing citrus trees is ideal for many pests and diseases. Basic principles of good nursery sanitation practices together with screening and removing suspected or …
Rootstock Trial Results on New Website
A new website with a wealth of information about citrus rootstocks is now available at https://citrusrootstocks.org/. Rootstock breeder Kim Bowman, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service in Fort Pierce, has posted results from 37 replicated multiyear rootstock field trials in Florida. The results can be easily accessed from the site by computer, tablet or smartphone. According …
Paycheck Protection Program Can Offer Help
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried has advised growers and other agriculture-related businesses they can apply for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The program is part of the $2 trillion federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, known as the CARES Act. The PPP loans are designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses …
U.S. Citrus Supply and Prices
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service (ERS) released a Fruit and Tree Nuts Outlook report on March 31. The report shows that the forecast for the U.S. citrus crop is down 4 percent from last season and how this is affecting imports, exports and pricing. LOWER PRODUCTIONU.S. all-orange production is expected to decrease by 1.6 percent, largely due …
COVID-19 Info for Agriculture
Important information for agriculture related to the COVID-19 pandemic was issued from numerous sources this week. A brief summary of some of the information follows. Ray Royce, executive director of Highlands County Citrus Growers Association, addressed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ stay-at-home order that went into effect at midnight on April 2. “All agricultural and agricultural support activities are considered essential …
California Agricultural Commissioners Declare Bloom
California agricultural commissioners declared the citrus bloom is now underway in Tulare, Fresno and Kern counties. This establishes the beginning of a time when the use of insecticides is greatly restricted in citrus groves. These restrictions enable bees to work the citrus blossoms while reducing the potential of serious pesticide damage to the bees. Kern County Agricultural Commissioner Glenn Fankhauser …
Sanitation, Social Distancing Increase in Citrus Industry
Social distancing and enhanced sanitation practices have been adopted in many Florida groves and facilities in an effort to curtail spread of the coronavirus. “Growers are making the necessary adjustments by increasing sanitation and keeping workers separated,” said Steve Smith, executive vice president of Gulf Citrus Growers Association. “The larger growers with multiple locations are keeping crews separated into small …
Harvesting Labor a Concern
Harvesting labor availability has reportedly been adequate so far this season for the Florida citrus industry. However, it could become an issue as some foreign workers under the federal H-2A program leave to work in other industries or to harvest other crops. Several Florida citrus growers and association executives recently addressed the labor situation. “As our season winds down, it …
Grower Input Needed in Selection Process for UF/IFAS Leader
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources Jack Payne is set to retire this summer. After a national search process, four finalists to fill his position were invited to the Gainesville campus and to the Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred to meet with faculty, staff, students …
UF/IFAS Plant and Soil Diagnostic Labs Remain Operational
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) wants growers to know its diagnostic labs are continuing to operate during the COVID-19 crisis. Plant and soil health are critical to agriculture, an industry designated as essential during the pandemic. Therefore plant, soil and water testing will continue to be available. The following UF/IFAS labs are receiving and …
Citrus Canker Management Through the Year
Plant pathologist Megan Dewdney with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences offers suggestions for managing citrus canker at different times of the year. She is an associate professor at the Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) in Lake Alfred. Dewdney suggests that copper sprays begin when fruit reach three-eighths of an inch in diameter in groves …
Weed Control May Help Psyllid Management
By Ramdas Kanissery, Justin George and Lukasz Stelinski Weed management is a crucial component in Florida’s citrus production. Recent University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research shows that weed management may have additional pest management benefits for citrus growers. Maintaining a weed-free grove and perimeter areas may help improve management of the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), …
Safety Training Addresses a Stinky Situation
“If you see poo on it, don’t pick it.” That advice from citrus Extension agent Chris Oswalt summarized a portion of training aimed at helping fresh citrus growers comply with the federal Produce Safety Rule. The section addressed wildlife and domestic animals in groves. The Produce Safety Rule is a key part of the Food Safety Modernization Act. Oswalt was …
COVID-19 and Food Safety: Facts vs. Fiction
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) experts want to help dispel a media-dispersed untruth about COVID-19. UF/IFAS scientists offering accurate information and food safety tips to the citrus industry about COVID-19 include Travis Chapin, Michelle Danyluk, Renee Goodrich Schneider and Keith Schneider. According to the UF/IFAS scientists, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food …
PIECES OF THE PAST: Wind of Change
By Brenda Eubanks Burnette 2020 is the 93rd anniversary of Flamingo Groves, the forerunner of Flamingo Gardens. The founders, Floyd L. and Jane Wray, moved to Florida in 1925 where he sold real estate. The following year, on Sept. 19, a devastating hurricane decimated the area and changed their lives. D.L. Gregory was staying with the Wrays during the hurricane …
Orange Juice Sales Are Soaring
Ned Hancock, chairman of the Florida Citrus Commission (FCC), reports that concerns over COVID-19 are increasing the demand for healthy foods and beverages, including orange juice. The FCC is the governing body of the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC). “A Nielsen retail sales report indicates that many Americans are turning to 100 percent orange juice (OJ) during this time,” says …
Irrigation Management for Young Citrus Trees
By Davie Kadyampakeni, Arnold Schumann, Mongi Zekri and Chris Oswalt Irrigation management is important for achieving optimal citrus tree growth and promoting high water- and nutrient-use efficiencies in young trees. In the era of HLB, poor water-management practices, such as infrequent irrigation, lead to water stress in trees resulting in limited growth and impaired root development. On the other hand, …