Growers Needed for UF/IFAS Tree Recovery Assessment

Josh McGillhurricane, Tip of the Week

By Christopher Vincent Growers affected by flooding and high winds from Hurricane Ian have seen the immediate effects, but the stress to the trees will have longer lasting effects as well.  It is not known how big these effects will be or how long trees take to recover. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers want …

Sneak Peek: November 2022 Citrus Industry

Josh McGillhurricane, Sneak Peek, Technology

While irrigation and technology were meant to be the focus of the November issue of Citrus Industry, the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, combined with the low initial crop forecast that does not even account for the storm’s damage, proved to be the much bigger story. Editor-in-Chief Frank Giles provides early details on the hurricane’s damage to Florida’s citrus industry and …

Millennium Block Field Day Gives Growers Firsthand Look at Trials

Josh McGillEvents, Rootstocks, Varieties

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC) in Fort Pierce hosted a drive-through field day for attendees to tour its Millennium block. The grove features more than 5,500 2- and 3-year-old trees. A total of 154 new citrus scion/rootstock combinations are included in the research project. The trial has …

craft

Apply for CRAFT Cycle 4

Josh McGillCRAFT, Research

The Citrus Research and Field Trial Foundation (CRAFT) is accepting applications online for Cycle 4 of the program. All applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Nov. 30, 2022. CRAFT Cycle 4 will continue the practice established in Cycles 1–3 of partnering with Florida citrus growers to evaluate the effectiveness and economic feasibility of various HLB mitigation …

citrus

All In For Citrus Podcast, October 2022

Josh McGillAll In For Citrus Podcast, hurricane

The October All In For Citrus podcast focuses on Hurricane Ian and its impact on the state’s signature crop. The storm tore a path across Florida’s citrus-growing regions, causing hundreds of millions of dollars in damage. Michael Rogers, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center, provides details on how …

Some Growers Stunned by Citrus Forecast

Josh McGillCrop Forecast, hurricane

Some Florida citrus growers, but not all, were stunned by the low first crop forecast of the 2022–23 season. The U.S. Department of Agriculture projected the orange crop, which makes up more than 90% of all Florida citrus, at 28 million boxes. That’s 32% lower than last season.  “The estimate was a shock to all of us,” said Hardee County …

Industry Leaders React to Low Forecast

Josh McGillCrop Forecast

Immediately following the lowest federal crop forecast for Florida citrus in many decades, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and Florida Department of Citrus Executive Director Shannon Shepp expressed optimism that the industry will strive to recover. Their statements referred to Hurricane Ian, which destroyed much fruit and damaged trees in major portions of the state’s citrus belt. The U.S. Department …

Low Citrus Crop Forecast for Florida Will Get Lower

Tacy CalliesCrop Forecast

The numbers are expected to further decline, as the season’s initial forecast does not reflect Hurricane Ian damage. The annual gathering of Florida citrus industry members to hear the first crop forecast of the season looked a little different this year. While growers once again came together at Putnam Ranch in Zolfo Springs to listen to the U.S. Department of …

Disaster Assistance Programs Available

Josh McGillfinancial, Florida, hurricane

Four federal disaster assistance programs and one Florida program are among those available to growers to assist in recovery after Hurricane Ian. The first four programs listed below are available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). To apply for these programs, contact a local FSA office, or the Florida FSA office at 352-379-4500. EMERGENCY LOAN PROGRAMThe …

A Conversation With SWFREC’s Director

Josh McGillAll In For Citrus Podcast

Editor’s note: The September All In For Citrus podcast was recorded prior to Hurricane Ian’s impact on Florida. During the September All In For Citrus Podcast, Michael Burton discussed his recent move to Florida to become the new center director of the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC). Burton provided details on his background and shared his research priorities …

Alico: Fruit Drop Significant; Most Trees Intact

Josh McGillhurricane

Alico, Inc. reported on Sept. 30 that initial observations following Hurricane Ian indicate there was significant drop of fruit in its groves. However, most trees remain intact. The magnitude of the fruit drop will be formally calculated by the company’s staff and insurance companies in coming weeks. Alico has 48,900 acres of citrus groves in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Hendry, …

Agencies Act to Assist Florida Agriculture

Josh McGillFlorida, hurricane

Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association reported the following actions that Florida government agencies took during and after Hurricane Ian to aid impacted agricultural entities, including citrus. SUSPENSION OF WEIGHT RESTRICTIONSThe Florida Department of Transportation announced it suspended the size and weight restrictions for divisible loads on any vehicles transporting emergency equipment, services, supplies and agricultural commodities, including citrus and sugar. …

Optimism

Meet Matt Joyner

Josh McGillFlorida Citrus Mutual

Editor’s note: This Q&A was conducted prior to Hurricane Ian striking Florida. After the storm, Matt Joyner said that Florida Citrus Mutual is working with growers in the recovery process and collecting information to aid in any potential requests for assistance. Matt Joyner started with Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM) in December of 2018 as director of government relations. In April …

snail

CRDF Funds CRAFT and Pest Projects

Josh McGillCRAFT, CRDF, Research

The Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) was able to hold its September board of directors meeting just prior to Hurricane Ian. During the meeting, CRDF awarded funding for Cycle Four of the Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) program. This will allow for another round of investments in grower-led research projects. “Kristen Carlson, Tamara Wood, the Technical Working Group …

PIECES OF THE PAST: The Hills Are Alive in Florida

Tacy CalliesPieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette William John Howey (1876–1938) was born in Odin, Illinois, and spent his early adulthood in insurance, real estate development and automobile manufacturing before turning to agriculture. After ventures in Oklahoma and Mexico, he arrived in Florida in the early 1910s and began selling citrus groves near what are now Dundee, Lake Hamilton and Star Lake. By …

Florida Farm Bureau

Florida Farm Bureau Supports Amending OJ Standard

Daniel CooperLegislative, Orange Juice

Florida Farm Bureau has submitted comments supporting the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) proposal to amend the standard of identity (SOI) for pasteurized orange juice (POJ) by lowering the minimum soluble solids content from 10.5° to 10° Brix. The FDA proposed an amendment earlier this year in response to a 2021 Florida citrus industry petition. Following are some comments from …

specialty crops

Officials Urged to Include Specialty Crops in Aid Program

Daniel Cooperfinancial, Legislative

The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) and two groups of U.S. representatives recently urged federal officials to include specialty crop producers in any new federal economic assistance program for agriculture. The SCFBA, co-chaired by Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association President Mike Joyner, addressed the issue in a letter to President Donald Trump. “Although our growers are experiencing similar economic …

Tip of the Week

Fall Insect and Mite Management

Daniel CooperPests, Tip of the Week

By Lauren Diepenbrock Unlike northern regions, fall in Florida is not generally a time when insect, mite and other invertebrate pest populations decline rapidly. In Florida citrus, we generally see the opposite of this trend. In the hot, dry end of summer and early fall, mite populations often soar, requiring management to prevent excessive damage to fruit. (See The Florida …

Expo

Expo Delivers Research Updates and Practical Tools for Growers

Daniel CooperCitrus Expo, Tip of the Week

By Michael E. Rogers The 2025 Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo took place Aug. 20–21 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. The event brought growers, researchers and industry professionals together for two full days of education and discussion. This year’s program featured what may have been a record number of University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences …

fdoc

FDOC Addresses Misconceptions About OJ Brix Proposal

Daniel CooperFlorida Department of Citrus

The Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) addressed what it called misconceptions surrounding the recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposal to decrease the required sugar levels in pasteurized orange juice (OJ). Excerpts from an FDOC statement follow:  The Florida citrus industry … (has) advocated for this modification for years to more accurately reflect the natural changes in Florida’s citrus crop. …