citrus crop forecast

First Citrus Crop Forecast of the Season

Daniel CooperCitrus, Crop Forecast

The release of the 2019-20 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) citrus crop forecast projects an increase in orange, grapefruit, tangerine and tangelo production for Florida. California and Texas are expected to decrease production in most categories. ORANGESFlorida non-Valencia oranges are projected at 32 million boxes after ending the 2018-19 season at 30.4 million boxes. California is projected at 38 million …

Crime

The Value of Education and a New Scholarship

Tacy CalliesScholarship

By Ernie Neff Decades ago, Ned Hancock had a conversation with his father about the value of continuing his education at the University of Florida (UF). “Dad said, ‘You will learn more in the next few years than you may be able to remember, but I hope they teach you two important things: One, you don’t really know as much …

Pest Update: Lebbeck Mealybug

Ernie NeffPests

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) entomologist Lauren Diepenbrock provided an update on the lebbeck mealybug pest at a recent Highlands County citrus growers’ meeting. The mealybug, first found in Highlands groves in June, feeds on and damages citrus, leading to fruit drop and crop loss. Diepenbrock reports that surveys conducted by the Florida Department of …

Steaming for Weed Management

Tacy Calliesweeds

By Ramdas Kanissery and Yiannis Ampatzidis Weeds are a significant problem in horticultural production and must be controlled to maintain good crop yield. Concerns related to non-judicious use of herbicides, which include ground and surface water contamination and pesticide residues in food, has sparked public awareness and restrictions on herbicide use. For these reasons, alternative and integrated systems for weed …

A Growth-Enhancing Pest Management Option

Tacy CalliesHLB Management, Research

By Christopher Vincent Particle films can both increase tree growth and reduce Asian citrus psyllid populations. University of Florida (UF) research has found particle films delay infection with the CLas bacterium, which causes HLB. They also enhance growth rates and yield. Particle films do have limitations to efficacy, including being washed off in frequent or heavy rains. Overall, particle films …

brazilian

Observations on the 2019 Brazilian Citrus Industry

Daniel CooperBrazil

By Thomas Stopyra, Certified Crop Advisor Note: The following report is based on data gathered from a variety of sources and reflects the personal opinion of the author. It should not be used as a basis for buying, selling or speculating futures or any other business decisions regarding agricultural enterprises or commodities. The recent estimate published by Fundecitrus for the …

Citrus Grower Discusses Crop Conditions

Ernie Neffcrop

Hardee County citrus grower Marlon Pendergrass with The Groves of Peace River discusses his orange crop, tree health and citrus prices. “We have a better crop this year than we had last year,” Pendergrass says. “Last year was much better than when (Hurricane) Irma came through” in September 2017. He says work is still being done to restore the grove …

nutrition

Nutrition Kits to Help Citrus Growers

Daniel CooperIndustry News Release, Nutrition

Florida’s citrus growers can soon get additional help in managing citrus greening through the newly developed University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Nutrition Program. The basis for the program is to improve the overall health and productivity of citrus groves affected by citrus greening disease by refining production practices; in particular, adjusting fertilization programs. Growers …

transactions

Federal Money Flowing to Citrus Growers

Daniel CooperCitrus, hurricane, Industry News Release

Florida has reached the halfway point in dispensing a $343 million federal grant it received for citrus growers who sustained damage in Hurricane Irma two years ago, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis. “I think that that’s been much-needed relief,” DeSantis said of the $173 million that has been distributed, mostly since he took office in January. “We’re going to continue …

land

Florida Governor Joins Announcement About Indian River Grapefruit Acreage Expansion

Daniel CooperCitrus, Grapefruit

Florida Governor Ron Desantis is expected to join citrus industry leaders in Vero Beach this evening for a major announcement about industry collaboration that is expected to re-establish Florida’s grapefruit industry in the famed Indian River production region. Dan Richey of Riverfront Packing in Vero Beach is one of the organizers for the event. Gary Cooper, Southeast AgNet Radio Network …

june

All In For Citrus Podcast, September 2019

Taylor HillmanAll In For Citrus Podcast

September’s All In for Citrus Podcast includes some exciting updates from University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers. First, Michael Rogers, director of the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC), discusses several topics. Included are the new Florida Citrus Production Guide, tree planting decisions, fruit displays and the planned hiring of a new horticulturist at …

hurner

Laurie Hurner: Citrus Is in Her Blood

Daniel CooperCitrus Greening, Industry News Release

Laurie Hurner grew up in a fifth-generation Florida citrus-growing family, and she and her sisters worked their farm in Highlands County. “My parents had three daughters,” said Hurner, the director of University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension Highlands County and the county’s citrus agent. “We were all well-rounded.” From their mom, the girls learned what …

Martin Named New California CRB President

Len WilcoxCalifornia Corner, Industry News Release

Marcy L. Martin was named the new president of the Citrus Research Board (CRB). The appointment was announced by CRB Chairman Dan Dreyer, who said that Martin was selected after a nearly year-long national search for the best candidate to lead the organization. Martin joins the CRB with more than 25 years of experience with California commodity organizations. She most …

img

IMG Citrus Invests in Packinghouse

Daniel CooperIndustry News Release, Technology

IMG Citrus, a family-owned, vertically integrated citrus grower, packer and shipper in Vero Beach, Florida, has invested $1.5 million into its packinghouse processing line. The company added a state-of-the-art electronic fruit grader, the Global Scan 7, manufactured in France. The new sorter has the ability to precisely capture 120 images per fruit and up to 120 fruit per second in …

Sugar Belle® Shows Potential in Orange Juice Processing

Tacy CalliesResearch

By Yu Wang, Charles Sims, Zhifeng Gao, Lisa House, Frederick Gmitter and Jude Grosser The citrus industry has faced significant declines in both production and consumption during the huanglongbing (HLB) era. For example, Florida orange production has dropped about 70 percent over the last two decades. In the absence of effective interventions, the spread of HLB will continue to reduce the …

Research on Shade Benefits and Growing Better Bingo

Ernie NeffCitrus, Research

Money provided by the Florida Legislature allows research into the positive impact of shade on trees, Bingo tree dieback and additional areas not funded by other sources. “The University of Florida (UF) each year gets legislative appropriations from the state, and these are Citrus Initiative legislative funds,” says Michael Rogers, director of the Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC). The …

citrus crop forecast

USDA Citrus Fruits 2019 Summary

Daniel CooperIndustry News Release, Production

Florida’s 2018–2019 orange production is up 59 percent from the previous season. Citrus utilized production for the 2018–19 season totaled 7.94 million tons, up 31 percent from the 2017–18 season. California accounted for 51 percent of total U.S. citrus production; Florida totaled 44 percent, and Texas and Arizona produced the remaining 5 percent. Florida’s orange production, at 71.8 million boxes, …

citrus production

Dumping of Brazilian and Mexican Juice Causes Southern Gardens to Cease Processing Citrus

Tacy CalliesProcessing

A flood of foreign imported orange juice was the deciding factor. Southern Gardens Citrus Processing Corporation announced today that it will no longer process fruit at its facility in Hendry County, Florida.  Beginning with the 2019-20 season, Southern Gardens will have its fruit processed at another facility and bring that juice back to its facility in Hendry County for storage …