noaa

NOAA Makes Atlantic Hurricane Season Prediction

Daniel Cooperhurricane

Forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service on May 21 predicted a below-normal 2026 Atlantic hurricane season. Its outlook is for a 35% chance of a near-normal season, a 10% chance of an above-normal season and a 55% chance of a below-normal season. The hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. The agency …

political party

Survey Says Farmers Economically Strained and Trust Neither Political Party

Daniel CooperAgriculture, Survey

A recent poll commissioned by Amato Advisors and conducted by Farm Journal finds that many American farmers are in deep economic strain and trust neither political party to help them. The Farmer & Rancher Policy Sentiment Survey, fielded in April 2026, surveyed 974 farmers and ranchers across 44 states. Key findings include: ​“This is one of the most striking pieces …

packers

Packers Propose Using More FDOC Money To Market Fresh Citrus

Daniel Cooperfinancial, Florida Department of Citrus, Fresh

The Florida Citrus Packers (Packers) trade association has asked the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) to consider utilizing more of its Florida general revenue marketing dollars to promote fresh citrus from Florida. The request was made in an April 17 letter. The association, which represents packers of fresh Florida citrus, asked the FDOC to recognize that a greater percentage of …

crop expo

New Location and Format for the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo

Daniel CooperCitrus Expo, Events

The 2026 Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo makes its return to Fort Myers on Aug. 12–13 at the waterfront Caloosa Sound Convention Center. The Luminary Hotel, the event’s host hotel, is conveniently connected to the convention center. ENJOY YOUR STAY The new venue offers several opportunities to refresh and improve the Expo. The convention center will allow educational seminars to …

Southern Hemisphere

Southern Hemisphere Citrus Forecast Issued

Daniel CooperCrop Forecast, International

The World Citrus Organisation (WCO) released production and export forecasts for the 2026 Southern Hemisphere citrus season. The forecasts are based on information from the WCO network in Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Peru, South Africa and Uruguay. ALL CITRUS Total Southern Hemisphere citrus production is expected to decrease 5.86% from the previous year to 26.4 million tons. Exports, however, …

Mexfly quarantine

California Mexfly Quarantine Expanded

Daniel CooperCalifornia Corner, Pests, Regulation

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) recently expanded the La Mesa Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly) quarantine twice in San Diego County, California. On March 17, APHIS and CDFA expanded the quarantine following the confirmed detections on March 11 of one wild mated female Mexfly and …

fruit fly

Fruit Fly Quarantine Updates

Daniel CooperPests, Regulation

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and state agriculture officials recently updated fruit fly quarantines in California and Texas. CALIFORNIA: ORIENTAL FRUIT FLY (OFF) On March 23, APHIS and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) removed the OFF quarantine in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, designated the Jurupa Valley quarantine. This …

Florida

Florida Citrus Show: A Day of Education and Enjoyment

Daniel CooperEvents, Florida Citrus Show

The Florida Citrus Show marked another successful event in March in Fort Pierce. The show provided attendees with a fun, informative day to learn about citrus and specialty crops while engaging with exhibitors during the tailgate-style trade show. CRAFT UPDATE Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) programs have been very popular with growers and have incentivized new citrus plantings across …

specialty crop

Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers Program: Another Chance to Apply

Daniel Cooperfinancial, USDA

The 2025 crop acreage reporting period required for specialty crop producers who want to apply for the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program has been reopened. Specialty crop producers now have until April 24 to report 2025 acres to FSA. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (USDA FSA) announced the reopening.  The ASCF program is designed to help address market disruptions, elevated input costs, persistent inflation and …

education

Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo: Education and Connection

Daniel CooperCitrus Expo

Citrus and specialty crop growers will have a great opportunity this summer to gather, learn and connect at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo. The event is set for Aug. 12–13 at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center in Fort Myers. The annual Expo brings together citrus and specialty crop producers for two days focused on practical education and valuable industry …

Türkiye

Türkiye Mandarin, Lemon and Grapefruit Forecasts

Daniel CooperCrop Forecast, International

Forecasts for 2025–26 tangerine, lemon/lime and grapefruit production and trade in Türkiye were included in a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) report. TANGERINES/MANDARINS UP Turkish tangerine/mandarin production is forecast to increase 10% to around 2.19 million metric tons (MMT). The Satsuma variety is the most widely produced in Türkiye and is crucial for both domestic …

tree

After Freeze, Is the Tree Alive or Just the Rootstock?

Daniel Cooperfreeze, Rootstocks

A Louisiana State University (LSU) Ag Center article explains how to determine if new growth sprouting from a citrus tree damaged by freezing weather is from the tree’s scion or rootstock. Edited excerpts follow: With spring — and warmer weather — upon us, you may be noticing new growth sprouting from a citrus tree that sustained freeze damage this winter. …

specialty crop

Scholarships for Students Pursuing Specialty Crop Careers

Daniel CooperEducation

Applications are due April 23 for the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) Mike and Karen Stuart Scholarships. The scholarships encourage and support college students who intend to pursue a career in the specialty crop industry. The specialty crop industry includes vegetables, citrus, tropical fruit, berries, sod, sugar cane, tree crops and more. Eligible applicants must be interested in production …

Mexfly

Mexfly Quarantine Established and Expanded in California

Daniel CooperCalifornia Corner, Pests, Regulation

Agriculture officials on March 5 established a Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly) quarantine in La Mesa, San Diego County, California, designated the La Mesa quarantine. On March 10 they expanded the quarantine. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) established the La Mesa quarantine in response to …

April

Sneak Peek: April 2026 Citrus Industry

Daniel CooperEvents, Sneak Peek, Varieties

The Citrus Industry section of the April 2026 issue of Specialty Crop Grower highlights ongoing efforts to strengthen Florida’s citrus sector amid challenges. Articles this month showcase education, nutrient management and variety development. A recap of the Florida Citrus Show details a successful March event in Fort Pierce that combined education with a lively tailgate-style trade show. Growers Daniel Hunt, …

sapote

Sapote Fruit Fly Quarantines Established

Daniel CooperPests, Regulation, Texas

Three sapote fruit fly quarantines have been established in Texas by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). Altogether, the quarantines encompass approximately 1,102 acres of commercial citrus. On Feb. 23, APHIS and TDA established one quarantine in Rio Hondo and another in Harlingen, Cameron County. They were …

citrus land transactions

Summary of 2025 Florida Citrus Land Transactions

Daniel CooperFlorida, Land, sales

According to Saunders Land’s annual Lay of the Land Market Report, there were 79 Florida citrus land transactions in 2025 totaling 20,352 acres. Pricing ranged from $3,936 to $56,003 per acre. The average price per acre was $13,788. Sales ranged in size from 9.81 acres to 4,633.47 acres. Notable large transactions included a 4,633.47-acre sale in Charlotte County for $41.9 …

production

Forecasts for European Union Citrus Production

Daniel CooperCrop Forecast, International

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) has issued 2025–26 production and trade forecasts for European Union (EU) citrus. TANGERINES/MANDARINS EU tangerine and mandarin production in 2025–26 is estimated at 2.794 million metric tons (MMT), down from the 2.97 MMT bumper crop in the previous season. After years of constant contraction, EU’s tangerine and mandarin area has …