Florida’s citrus industry is in dire need of a turnaround, so the passage of the Emergency Citrus Disease Response Act is the best of news. It’s the latest in a line of news items that seem as if the Florida citrus industry may be on the brink of a welcome improvement. […]
The craft beer industry is growing quickly, and a UF/IFAS research team is exploring whether Florida growers could benefit from the growth of this niche industry through supplying this much-needed crop to large and small breweries. The research was started in the backyard of UF horticulturist Brian Pearson, who wanted to see if he could [...]
Florida citrus growers have been using two different bactericide formulas since spring of this year when the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FLDACS) obtained an emergency use declaration for the treatments. The EPA recently seconded that in August by approving the use of the bactericides. The results of a recent bactericide study seem [...]
Agritourism is one of the fastest growing segments in Florida agriculture today. Agritourism operations in The Sunshine State are about to get some serious backup from the newly-formed Florida AgriTourism Association. It likely won’t be long before other states follow suit. The benefits of the Association are sure to be felt by the state’s agritourism [...]
Many Florida citrus groves are in bad shape due to citrus greening (HLB). Recent surveys estimate that 80 percent of Florida’s citrus trees are infected with HLB. In some Florida citrus groves, the estimates are closer to 100 percent. Once infected, citrus trees’ fruit production begins to drop, and then the trees die. […]
It’s up to the scientific and HLB research community to save Florida’s citrus industry from citrus greening, also known as HLB. Since the bacterium that causes citrus greening was detected in a South Florida grove in 2005, the citrus industry has seen falling harvest totals and rising costs. A recent estimation from forecasters with the [...]
The start of the Atlantic hurricane season was June 1st, but data shows that less than 15 percent of the season’s hurricanes are in June and July. As August begins, hurricane season starts to heat up. Those in the ag industry need to complete their ag hurricane prep if they have not already done so. [...]
There’s no denying that Florida has seen an enormous negative impact due to citrus greening, or HLB, in its citrus industry. As annual harvests have continued to fall year after year, many have wondered how long the citrus industry can stay afloat. With harvests dwindling and maintenance costs soaring, many citrus growers have thrown in [...]
Migrant farmworkers are at the forefront of many discussions on agriculture and immigration. In ag-heavy states like Florida, the presence of farmworkers is common, as they are there nearly year-round to pick such crops as citrus and strawberries. However, NPR contributor, Dan Charles, realized that while many who are in agriculture understand that a large [...]
The USDA just released the season’s final citrus forecast for Florida. It’s one that’s been greeted with both praise and dismay, a bit like winning a skirmish but still facing a difficult war. The forecast increased slightly—as it has for the several past months, in contrast with what’s par for the course since citrus greening [...]
