May CRDF Meeting Focuses on Money Matters

Josh McGillCRAFT, CRDF

The Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) board of directors attended to budgetary matters during its May meeting, as the end of the fiscal year nears. “We decided to transfer our remaining uncommitted funds from what we had budgeted for new research to the Citrus Research and Field Trial program to help growers treat mature trees with new therapies,” said …

Sneak Peek: June 2023 Citrus Industry

Josh McGillSneak Peek, Soil Health

During a historically low period of Florida citrus production, Inverness grower Chuck Bellamy has found a way to keep fruit on his trees. In the June cover story of Citrus Industry magazine, he tells what regenerative practices have reduced fruit drop in his grove. Not only is he keeping more oranges; he has lowered his production costs in the process. …

Silicon Could Benefit Florida Citrus

Josh McGillNutrition, Production

There has been much focus on the benefits of applications of plant growth regulators like gibberellic acid and 2,4-D, and more recently oxytetracycline hydrochloride to improve the health of citrus trees infected with HLB. Silicon also has been highlighted for its potential benefits to citrus. Mohammad Adnan Shahid, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professor, …

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Funding for Florida Department of Citrus Research

Josh McGillFlorida Citrus Commission, Florida Department of Citrus

The Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) on May 17 received a summary of the latest state funding earmarked for scientific research that will be administered by the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC). FDOC Director of Scientific Research Rosa Walsh provided the summary. She noted that the funding established by the Florida Legislature needs to be approved by Gov. Ron DeSantis. State …

Native Lime Might Keep HLB Out of Australia

Josh McGillHLB Management, International, Limes

A comprehensive map of the genome of an Australian native lime species that is resistant to HLB could be the key to preventing the disease from entering Australia. Researchers from The University of Queensland (UQ) in Australia have sequenced the genome of the Australian round lime, also known as the Gympie lime. They are now looking at five other native …

The Florida Citrus Industry After the 2022 Hurricanes

Josh McGillEconomics, hurricane

By Tom Spreen To proclaim that 2022 was a difficult year for the Florida citrus industry would be an understatement. In late January, a short freeze hit much of the commercial citrus-producing area with long-term implications. While its effect on the 2021–22 crop was small, it came as the 2022–23 bloom was about to begin after a warm December. It …

U.S. Citrus Demand Exceeds Supply

Josh McGillExport/Import, Production

While the U.S. domestic supply of citrus has declined tremendously, imports have increased substantially. That, says American Farm Bureau Federation economist Daniel Munch, is a telltale sign that consumer demand for citrus in the United States is now greater than domestic production capacity. “In other words, we’ve become partially reliant on other nations for citrus products,” Munch writes in U.S. …

Funding for Existing and Transitioning Organic Producers

Josh McGillOrganic

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced additional steps being taken to strengthen the market for domestically grown organic goods, and to support producers seeking organic certification. These funding opportunities are part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Organic Transition Initiative. The initiative is a suite of offerings to help existing organic producers and those transitioning to organic production and processing. …

Fertilizer Institute Pushes Policy Priorities

Josh McGillBiostimulants, Nutrition

The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) recently released its 2023–2024 Public Policy Priorities for working with the Biden administration, regulatory agencies and Congress. TFI’s priorities are broken down into seven key areas: “Fertilizer is a globally traded commodity and heavily influenced by geopolitical events,” said TFI President and Chief Executive Officer Corey Rosenbusch. “Over the past two years, we have seen major …

Indian River Center to Add Citrus Researcher

Josh McGillIndian River, Research

Brazil native Flavia Zambon will become assistant professor of production horticulture of citrus and other tree crops at the Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC) in November. The IRREC, located in Fort Pierce, is a branch of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).  Zambon has had years of research experience in all of Florida’s …

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Long-Term Research Proves CUPS Performance

Josh McGillCUPS, Research

Arnold Schumann, a professor of soil fertility and water quality with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), led the effort to study the effectiveness of citrus under protective screen (CUPS) in protecting trees from HLB. The work resulted in growers having confidence in the practice. Today, Florida CUPS plantings are closing in on 1,000 commercial …

Adjustments to the Florida Citrus Crop Forecast

Tacy CalliesCrop Forecast, Florida

The May Florida citrus crop forecast from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA NASS) saw some ups and downs. FLORIDA ORANGESThe Florida 2022–23 all-orange forecast declined 3%, from 16.1 million boxes in the April forecast to 15.65 million boxes in May. If the forecast is realized, this will be 62% less orange production than last season. …

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Weather, Costs and Other Citrus Impacts

Josh McGillProduction, Weather

In U.S. Citrus Production – An Uphill Battle to Survive, Daniel Munch zeroed in on issues impacting citrus-producing states. In excerpts that follow, the American Farm Bureau Federation economist focuses on weather, disease, population, production shifts and increasing costs that have impacted citrus. FLORIDA FACES NUMEROUS CHALLENGESIn 2017, Hurricane Irma’s high winds and damaging rains battered key citrus-producing regions in …

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Brazil’s Initial Orange Forecast for 2023–24

Tacy CalliesBrazil, Crop Forecast

The 2023–2024 initial orange forecast for Brazil’s citrus belt is 309.34 million boxes. The forecast was announced on May 10 by Fundecitrus and its cooperators. The projected volume is 1.55% less than the previous crop, which totaled 314.21 million boxes. Fundecitrus reported that weather conditions are positive for the 2023–24 crop with rains being 50% above the historical average. However, …

U.S. Citrus Concerns Summarized

Josh McGillProduction

American Farm Bureau Federation economist Daniel Munch recently detailed concerns about the U.S. citrus industry in a report titled U.S. Citrus Production – An Uphill Battle to Survive. Excerpts providing an overview of those concerns follow.  Once leaders in citrus crop production, U.S. growers (particularly those in Florida) have faced numerous challenges that have led to an unfortunate decline in …

Seminar Speakers Share Latest Citrus Research

Josh McGillEducation, Events, Research

The citrus session at the Florida Grower Citrus Show started off with a special award acknowledgement by Ron Cave, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC). Cave recognized Pasco Avery for his induction into the 2022 class of the IPM Hall of Fame from the Southern IPM …

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Considerations for High-Density Citrus Plantings

Josh McGillplanting, Tip of the Week

By Amir Rezazadeh Among all the factors that will affect the productivity and profitability of a citrus grove, choosing the optimal tree spacing is crucial. Florida citrus growers are planting trees at significantly higher densities than in the past. Due to negative impacts on plant health following the emergence of huanglongbing (HLB or citrus greening) in Florida, canopy growth substantially …

California Psyllid Program Requires Compliance Agreements

Josh McGillCalifornia Corner, Regulation

The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) quarantine program now requires all harvesters/farm labor contractors (FLCs) to have valid compliance agreements to harvest citrus groves. An FLC is defined as any person or establishment that employs people to perform work related to grove management and/or harvesting commercial citrus fruit. The requirement was announced by CDFA’s …

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Leader Development Program Seeks Applicants

Josh McGillEducation

Applications are open until June 16 for those interested in being part of Class 13 of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) Emerging Leader Development Program (ELDP). ELDP, administered by the Florida Specialty Crop Foundation, was launched in 2011 to identify and develop leaders to be strong advocates for Florida agriculture. Program sessions provide a wealth of information about …