This year’s Florida state budget, established by the Legislature in early May, is the largest in history at nearly $115 billion. Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM) reported that approximately $65 million was allocated to the citrus industry. FCM itemized what was allocated to the citrus industry prior to Gov. Ron DeSantis signing the budget: Additionally, the Department of Agriculture package bill passed on …
May Florida Citrus Forecast Sees Ups and Downs
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. Florida non-Valencia …
Federal Legislation Aims to Conserve Florida Citrus Land
Due to hurricanes, citrus greening and unfair trade pressures, Florida’s citrus growers are increasingly left with little choice but to sell their land to developers, said U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida. Because of that, he introduced the Conservation Reserve Program Amendments Act to establish a subprogram under the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) to conserve citrus agricultural land. The legislation seeks to address …
Moving Forward With a New HLB Treatment
By Peter Chaires I am a big fan of Robert Fulghum’s famous book titled “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.” This little gem started out with lightweight calls to play fair and wash your hands before you eat. But soon it turned up the heat and waxed somewhat philosophical with a couple heavy hitters. One of …
New CRAFT Funding Aimed at Tree Therapies
The Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation has announced a new Existing Tree Therapies Program for Florida citrus growers. The program is designed to provide the citrus industry with a better understanding of the best use patterns, combinations and timing of newly developed therapies. Therapies eligible for the program show promise in restoring health and improving juice quality and quantity, …
Trunk Injection Inspires Interest in Planting
The Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute, presented by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, was held in Avon Park on April 4. The annual educational event drew a good crowd of growers and allied industry. After nearly two decades of fighting HLB, and more recently fallout from hurricanes, those in attendance expressed a renewed sense of optimism as …
Freeze Had Greatest Impact on Young Trees
Lindy Savelle, president of the Georgia Citrus Association, and other industry leaders continue to preach to growers the need to diversify their crop portfolios. The Christmas freeze event that ravaged production in the Southeast last December should not be a deterrent for farmers hoping to produce citrus other than satsuma mandarins. Yes, non-satsuma citrus trees were impacted more by the multiple …
Pheromones Helping Reduce Pest Populations
Citrus growers should emphasize leafminer management this year to preserve new flushes. This is especially important for those producers affected by the Christmas freeze event. The management strategy should include pheromone disruptions, which can help reduce pest populations. Xavier Martini, assistant professor of entomology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC), …
Pheromones Essential in Leafminer Management
By Clint Thompson Citrus growers should emphasize leafminer management this year to preserve new flushes. This is especially important for those producers affected by the Christmas freeze event. The management strategy should include pheromone disruptions, which can help reduce pest populations. Xavier Martini, assistant professor of entomology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) North Florida Research …
Sen. Ossoff: I’m Excited About Georgia Citrus
By Clint Thompson Georgia citrus producers have a vocal legislative supporter in their corner, and that’s good news for the industry heading into the future. U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) recently visited with Georgia citrus farmers and industry leaders to learn more about the growing commodity in the state. He came away impressed with how citrus has blossomed in popularity …