citrus

Putnam Says Citrus Industry Hard Hit by Irma

Taylor Hillman Citrus, Weather

Florida’s already-struggling citrus industry “suffered serious and devastating losses” in Hurricane Irma, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam said Wednesday after an aerial tour of groves in central and southwest parts of the state. “It’s still too early to know the full extent of the damage to Florida citrus,” Putnam said in a prepared statement. “But after touring groves on foot and …

Rooney CITRUS Bill Praised by Industry

Dan Citrus, Florida, Industry News Release

Congressman Tom Rooney (R-FL) introduced the bipartisan CITRUS Act, a bill developed with extensive grower input that will help expedite the delivery of the economic assistance needed in the short-term to save our domestic citrus industry. Joined by Congressman Valadao (R-CA) and Filemon Vela (D-FL), the CITRUS Act authorizes critical citrus greening disease research programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture …

perdue

Perdue Discusses Citrus, Organics and NAFTA

Dan Citrus, Organic, Trade

  New Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue testified before the House Agriculture Committee Wednesday, and was asked various questions from those who serve on that committee. One of those was Darren Michael Soto from Orlando, Florida, the U.S. Representative for Florida’s 9th district. Congressman Soto asked Perdue about citrus greening.   Congressman Soto also asked Perdue about organics and NAFTA.

citrus crop forecast

May Citrus Crop Forecast Has Small Changes

Dan Citrus, Crop Forecasts

  Mark Hudson of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service issued the May 2017 citrus crop forecast. Florida forecast: United States forecast: Florida Oranges All Oranges The 2016-2017 Florida all-orange forecast is up 1 million boxes to 68 million boxes. The total includes 33 million boxes of the non-Valencia oranges (early, midseason, and Navel varieties) and 35 …

chef

Gianna Rivera Wins “Fresh From Florida” Student Chef Cook-Off

Dan Citrus, Florida

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services today announced that Gianna Rivera of Bloomingdale High School in Hillsborough County is the 2017 “Fresh From Florida” Student Chef Cook-Off champion. Rivera competed against four other regional finalists from across the state. Rivera’s winning Citrus Chicken Taco with Watermelon Salsa will be served in a school cafeteria, and the recipes of …

Florida Orange Forecast Drops 4 Percent

Taylor Hillman Citrus, Crop Forecasts

The citrus crop forecast, delivered by Mark Hudson of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service in Washington, D.C., showed a 4 percent drop in Florida oranges. In total, the U.S. all-orange forecast for the 2016-2017 season dropped 3 percent from last month and is down 13 percent from the 2015-2016 final utilization.