By Frank Giles The Donaldson citrus variety has been the subject of conversation among growers lately. The tree at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) A.H. Whitmore Foundation Farm is believed to be a true early-season sweet orange. The health of the tree is what’s getting grower attention. The tree is producing good-sized fruit that is not dropping to the …
Rep. Scott: Work on 2023 Farm Bill On Track
The 2018 Farm Bill faced months of delays that left the nation without farm bill programs from the expiration of the 2014 Farm Bill on September 30, 2018, until the bill was finally passed and signed by then-President Donald Trump in December 2018. The 2018 Farm Bill is set to expire next year and work is getting underway on the …
Pecan Production in Georgia: Estimated 70 Million Pounds in 2021
By Clint Thompson Pecan production in Georgia was half of what it was the year before but still more than most predicted. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells discusses the total for the 2021 crop. “From the assessments that have come in, I’m hearing 70 million to 75 million pounds, which is a good bit more than …
Secretary Vilsack Urges Caution in Statements About Ukraine
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack joined other G7 agriculture ministers Friday morning in a virtual meeting with Ukrainian Agriculture Minister Roman Leshchenko. Following that virtual meeting, Vilsack took the stage at Commodity Classic in New Orleans to give the keynote address, then met with a small group of agriculture journalists, where he shared more of what was discussed in that virtual …
$250 Million Investment to Support Innovative American-made Fertilizer
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing it will support additional fertilizer production for American farmers to address rising costs, including the impact of Putin’s price hike on farmers, and spur competition. USDA will make available $250 million through a new grant program this summer to support independent, innovative and sustainable American fertilizer production to supply American farmers. Additionally, …
Florida Citrus Crop Tumbles Again in March Forecast
On March 9, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reduced Florida’s orange and grapefruit crop forecasts again. Oranges fell hardest, dropping 3 million boxes, or 12%, to 23 million boxes. The forecast for the non-Valencia crop, which is virtually all harvested, actually rose 500,000 boxes, or 4%, to 18.2 million boxes. That means the total Florida …
Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference 2022
The UF/IFAS food and resource economics department (FRED) Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference is back in-person this spring. The conference explains critical policy issues Florida agribusiness leaders face and provides insights on economic factors that can inform business and policy decisions. WHAT: The annual Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference. Topics include local food trends, crop outlooks and disaster assessments, and …
Florida Citrus Show Focused on HLB Fixes
Growers gathered in Fort Pierce last week for the Florida Citrus Show. More than 30 presentations and panel discussions were held during the two-day event. Topics covered included production, technology and markets. With the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) predicting the smallest citrus crop in more than 70 years, urgency to seek solutions to HLB was high on the agenda. …
Old Citrus Variety Worthy of a New Look
By Peter Chaires My maternal grandmother used to say, “Getting old ain’t for sissies.” There is some universally applicable wisdom in that short saying. Sometimes the mere act of survival is an accomplishment. Consider the challenges that a 50- to 75-year-old citrus tree has faced during its life in Florida. I’ll spare you the nausea of a comprehensive list, but …
On Tap: Citrus Variety Display Days are Back On in Florida
Fall has arrived (at least according to the calendar), and we will soon have an opportunity to resume citrus variety display and field day events, which provide a great way to see products from the in-state, plant-breeding programs and help identify those selections that appear to have market potential. Displays will include fresh and processed selections. The success and effectiveness …