Citrus Industry eNews: Medflies in FL; Grove May Become New City

Tacy Callies Citrus, Florida

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Denise Feiber

DON’T MISS THIS
Medflies Confirmed in Florida, Not Near Commercial Citrus
Two Mediterranean fruit flies have been confirmed in Broward County, fortunately outside commercial citrus-producing areas. Denise Feiber, spokesperson for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Division of Plant Industry, tells about the finds and the steps being taken to protect agriculture. She also discusses the winding up or completion of programs instituted when fruit flies were found in Florida last year. Listen to Feiber’s reports and see the press release about the Medfly find.

HAVE YOU HEARD?
Click on the links below to read or hear the stories.
Citrus Trees to Bloom Soon; Grove May Become New City
Biofuel Center to Replace Florida Citrus Plant
Tropicana Swaps Carton for Carafe
Ag Land (Except Citrus) Rebounding in Hillsborough Co.
OJ Gets Spanish-Language Boost
FL Gov. Scott Budget Proposals Startle Many
Taiwan’s Mandarin Oranges in Demand
Uruguay Drought Leads to Smaller Citrus Fruits

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Steve Futch

OUT AND ABOUT
Citrus Agent Discusses Pending Brazil Tour and Previous Trips
Multi-county citrus Extension agent Steve Futch offers details about a Brazilian citrus tour he’ll lead in June, and recalls the previous seven tours he’s accompanied since 2002. Listen to the reports.

Karen Mathis

FROM THE FIELD
Citrus Department Targets Young Women for Grapefruit Sales
Young women aged 25 to 44 are the target audience for the Florida Department of Citrus’ grapefruit campaign. Department Public Relations Director Karen Mathis tells how the young women are being reached online, in fitness centers and at malls. Hear the details.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Feb. 22 Citrus Research and Development Foundation board of directors meeting, Citrus Research and Education Center, Lake Alfred.

Feb. 23 Highlands Citrus Grower Forum, including “Take Home Messages” from the International HLB Conference and Highlands County CHMAs Report, Bert J, Harris, Jr. Agricultural Center, Sebring, contact Tim Hurner at 863-402-7150 or plowboy@ufl.edu

Feb. 24 Annual Meeting of the Highlands County Citrus Growers Association, Four Points by Sheraton Chateau Elan at the Sebring Airport, contact 863-385-8091

March 2 Highlands Citrus Grower Tour, including Citrus Nutritional Programs to Mitigate HLB Impacts, Research Trials to Control Asian Citrus Psyllid, Demonstration Plots for New Production Systems and a visit to Maury Boyd’s Grove, Southwest Florida Research & Education Center, Immokalee, contact Tim Hurner at 863-402-7150 or plowboy@ufl.edu

March 3 Peace River Valley Citrus Growers Association annual meeting, Hardee Agri-Civic Center, Wauchula, contact 863-494-0061, 863-773-2644 or oj@prvcitrus.org

March 4 Florida Citrus Hall of Fame luncheon, Hollis Wellness Center, Florida Southern College, Lakeland, contact 863-682-1111

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