The Florida Department of Citrus team is geared up to visit with mass numbers of growers at this year’s Citrus Expo next week, August 22 and 23 in Ft Myers. In these two reports, FDOC In-State Marketing Manager Amy Carpenter talks about what’s in store for growers who visit the exhibit. Report (2:00 mp3) Report (2:00 mp3) Pre-register for Seminars …
Private Industry Citrus Crop Forecast Surprises Many
The private industry citrus crop forecast made by Elizabeth Steger each August does not stay secret for long. According to what we’re hearing, this year her 198 million box forecast for Florida’s 2007-2008 orange crop took many by surprise. As noted in today’s radio report linked below, the official USDA Citrus Crop Forecast is set to be released at 8:30 …
Growth and Agriculture in Florida’s Future
At the recent annual summer meeting of the Florida Fertilizer and Agrichemical Association (FFAA) several speakers addressed Florida’s urban growth and the prospects for agriculture in the future as Florida’s population is sure to continue to expand. The first report posted below features Sr Vice President Richard Woodruff of Wilson Miller Engineering firm in Ft Myers, discussing how the statewide …
Pre-Register NOW For Citrus Expo!
Citrus Expo is a private industry two-day seminar and trade show program for commercial citrus growers, grove owners, managers and industry leaders. It is set for Wednesday and Thursday, August 22 & 23, 2007 in Ft Myers. Hear more general details in report one posted below. In the second report, Dr Bill Castle at University of Florida’s Citrus Research and …
Helpful Tips For Growers On Handling Labor Issues
For farmers wanting to know more about how to deal with a crackdown on illegal workers, here are some communications courtesy of Dade County Farm Bureau in Homestead, Florida that may be helpful. Dade County Farm Bureau News (pdf file) Dade County Farm Bureau News Part II (pdf file) Sponsoring this news posting: Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, …
Illegal Immigration Crackdown Could Be Imminent
According to reports we’re getting from a number of sources, a federal crackdown on employers who employ illegal immigrants could be imminent. Growers are encouraged to contact their grower associations for details on how to best prepare. By the way, for growers interested in obtaining foreign labor legally, the sponsor of this report is a good place to start. Click …
Can Dogs Be Trained for Canker & Greening Detection?
Dogs have proven to be very effective in a number of industries for a number of purposes, including detection of hard to find bombs, cadavers, bee hives, snakes, termites, bedbugs, even some cancers in human beings. Research would be necessary to see if it can work for detection of crop diseases like canker or greening in citrus, but some citrus …
Other States Oppose USDA Proposals Re FL Shipments
In this report, other U S States are objecting to USDA proposals to allow fresh Florida fruit to go into non-citrus producing states. Citrus interests in California reportedly say the rules should be more restrictive, not less. Report (2:00 mp3) Pre-register for Seminars and Trade Show attendance at Find information at USDA’s Website About the Citrus Health Response Program Sponsored …
FL Citrus Mutual: Research Funding a Continuing Challenge
Florida growers seem to have differing opinions as to whether Florida Dept of Citrus funds should be earmarked or research or remain exclusively for advertising and marketing to support stronger demand and grower prices. In this report, Florida Citrus Mutual’s top executive, Mike Sparks, offers comments on the debate and says the issue of citrus research funding needs will be …
Florida Fertilizer and Agrichemical Association News
Florida Fertilizer and Agrichemical Association (FFAA) recently held elections, presented awards and conducted other business at its summer meeting near Naples. Among other things, Brent Sutton of Growers Fertilizer Corp. in Lake Alfred was elected Chairman, and Jim Bellar was presented with FFAA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Learn more from these news releases: FFAA Board Election News 2007 (pdf file) FFAA …