Will Georgia Fruit Have a Home?

Dan Citrus, Georgia

Citrus acreage in Georgia continues to increase. While it didn’t double like it did in 2020, it still increased by 50%, says Jake Price, University of Georgia Lowndes County Extension coordinator. During a citrus growers’ summer update meeting on Aug. 25 in Lowndes County, Price said that Georgia’s citrus acreage has ballooned to 2,700 acres in 46 counties. The state …

Safety Tips for Flying Drones Offered by UF/IFAS Researchers

Dan Cattle, Citrus, Dairy, Field Crops, Forestry, Livestock, Nursery Crops, Organic, Specialty Crops, Technology

Some people view drones as toys, but they can be dangerous. In fact, about 1,000 people per year are injured from using drones incorrectly. To address the potential peril, two University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers are offering ways to keep people from getting hurt while using drones. For legal advice on personal injury related to …

EPA Bans Chlorpyrifos on Food

Dan Citrus, Environment

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it will stop the use of the pesticide chlorpyrifos on all food. It said it is taking the action to better protect human health, particularly that of children and farmworkers. In a final rule released in August, EPA is revoking all “tolerances” for chlorpyrifos. The tolerances establish an amount of a pesticide that …

USDA Expanding Importation of Fresh Citrus Fruit from Australia

Dan Citrus, Exports/Imports

The Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday the expansion of the production areas in Australia authorized to import fresh citrus fruit into the United States. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service also revised the conditions under which citrus from Australia may be imported. Currently, imports of fresh citrus fruit are allowed into the United States from three Australian regions, but …

Citrus, Vegetable and Specialty Crop Expo Starts Today

Dan Citrus, Citrus Expo News

The 2021 Citrus, Vegetable and Specialty Crop Expo kicks off at the Lee Civic Center in North Fort Myers, Florida. The big two-day in-person event is hosted by AgNet Media with programming support from the University of Florida/IFAS. Today, August 18th, growers will be able to learn about all things citrus. That includes management of black spot, arthropod pests, soil …

2022 Farmers’ Almanac Released This Week

Dan Aquaculture, Beef, Cattle, Citrus, Crop Forecasts, Dairy, Drought, Environment, Field Crops, Irrigation, Livestock, Nursery Crops, Organic, Pollinators, Specialty Crops, Technology, Water, Weather

The 2022 Farmers’ Almanac hits store shelves this week and contains 184 pages of helpful tips, calendars, and guides to help you plan your year ahead. It also features weather forecasts for the next 16 months, plus useful advice on ways to take cues from nature to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Editor Pete Geiger states, “we encourage readers to …

Citrus, Vegetable and Specialty Crop Expo is This Week

Dan Citrus, Citrus Expo News, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

The 2021 Citrus, Vegetable and Specialty Crop Expo will be held this Wednesday and Thursday at the Lee Civic Center in North Fort Myers, Florida. The big two-day in-person event will feature a citrus session on Wednesday, Aug. 18, where growers can learn about all things related to citrus. This includes management of black spot, arthropod pests, soil health, irrigation …

Vilsack and Tai to Meet with USDA Ag Policy Committee

Dan Beef, Cattle, Citrus, Corn, Cotton, Dairy, Equine, Field Crops, Fruits, Grapefruit, Hemp, Lemons, Livestock, Marketing, Orange Juice, Peanuts, Pork, Poultry, Rabbits, Sheep-Goats, Soybeans, Specialty Crops, Trade, Tree Nuts, Vegetables, Wheat

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai will meet with the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee Friday. Topics include current and new trade deals, trade agreement implementation and concerns within the agreements. The committee, managed by the Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative’s office, offers advice on U.S. trade policy. The committee consists of six technical …

Florida Production Faces Further Decline

Dan Citrus

Florida orange and red grapefruit production, already at historically low levels, will likely decline for years, according to a leading citrus economist. Tom Spreen, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences professor emeritus, calculated Florida crop output through the 2031-32 season based on various yield and tree replacement assumptions. Oranges and red grapefruit are Florida’s top-producing varieties.   …