By Clint Thompson
Citrus producers in Southwest Alabama are experiencing a bumper crop this year. That’s good news for growers this season, not so much for next season, says Jacob Kelley, regional Extension agent in Southwest Alabama.
“I think it’s been a really good crop. Last year wasn’t as great, but it was decent considering the freezing weather that we had. But this year it’s been a bumper crop for most of our growers, not everybody. But most of our growers have had a pretty good crop this year and plenty of fruit per tree,” Kelley said.
“It’s a little worrisome, because I think the trees are going to be in an alternate bearing cycle now, and it’s going to be hard to get them out of that. They’re going to have a heavy crop this year, and the next year we’re probably going to have another light crop.”
Alternate bearing refers to trees that produce a heavy crop one year and much lighter crop, if any, the following year.
“With things like peaches, we do a lot of crop thinning, so that helps get out of that alternate bearing cycle. But citrus we don’t really crop thin, and that’s because of the freeze events and things like that. You just take what you get,” Kelley said. “It’s not one that we typically thin. I’m thinking next year is going to be a light crop. I’d love to be wrong, though.
“It’s going to be, not devastating, but just a difficult year, I’d say.”
Kelley estimated that more than 99% of his region’s citrus are satsuma mandarins.