News is swirling early this week about a pending announcement that South Florida Water Management District plans to buy one of the largest agricultural operations in the state. Formal announcements are expected Tuesday about the pending purchase of U. S. Sugar Corporation, but already there is concern growing among masses of folks and local businesses in the region, for obvious …
Highlands Co Citrus Leader Mason Smoak Dies in Plane Crash
We regret to pass on this information…News from Highlands County Citrus Growers’ Association’s Ray Royce late Friday June 20, who wrote: “…we lost a great father, husband and friend in Mason Smoak to an airplane crash in Lake Placid. Mason who was currently serving as both the President of the Highlands County Citrus Growers Association and the Chairman of the …
FDOC Budget Commits to Citrus Research Support
In these reports, follow up to this week’s Florida Citrus Commission meeting where the Florida Department of Citrus budget was tentatively approved to potentially include up to 20 million dollars for citrus research as needed. Chairman Ben Albritton Jr talks more about the reasons behind the decision, and how growers and industry are pulling together to address their biggest concerns …
Citrus Commissioners Tentatively Approve Budget Plan
At this week’s Citrus Commission meeting at the Florida Department of Citrus in Lakeland, the FDOC budget for the coming season was a main topic of discussion. Southeast AgNet’s Ernie Neff was on the scene and files this report. Report (1:30 mp3) Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted …
Citrus Crop 2008-2009 Outlook
In this feature with soon-to-retire citrus statistics administrator Bob Terry with the Ag Statistics Service, Terry discusses what his folks in the field are noticing with respect to the crop now on the trees for next season. Report (1:30 mp3) Sponsoring this news report: USDA NASS Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant …
Citrus Commish Chair on Greening / Exec on Budget Changes
In the first report, Citrus Commission Chairman Ben Albritton Jr shares his feelings about citrus greening disease, as one citrus grower speaking to others. In the second report, comments from Florida Department of Citrus Executive Director Ken Keck explaining FDOC proposals that could divert as much as 20 million grower dollars next season from marketing initiatives into research. Report (1:30 …
Citrus Commission Chairman Defends Research Investments
In these reports, Citrus Commission Chairman Ben Albritton Jr responds to those who may question Department of Citrus budget proposals to hold up to 20 million dollars for greening research in case it is needed. Report (1:30 mp3)Report (1:30 mp3) Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of …
Reports from the Florida Citrus Mutual Annual Conference
Southeast AgNet’s Ernie Neff reports from the Florida Citrus Mutual annualĂ‚Â conference last week in Bonita Springs. In the first report, he discusses Brazil’s struggles with greening disease. The second report is about “almost the perfect storm” hitting Florida’s citrus industry.Ă‚Â Ă‚Â Report (1:15 mp3)Ă‚Â Ă‚Â Report (1:15 mp3) Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant …
FDOC Supports Research-Answers Growers’ Questions
At Florida Citrus Mutual’s annual conference this week, some questioned Florida Department of Citrus decisions about throwing some funding recently behind the citrus greening research efforts. In these reports, FDOC Executive Director Ken Keck reviews the reasoning behind the move, and explains the process FDOC will go through to help in the research effort. Report (2:00 mp3) Report (1:30 mp3) …
Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference
Southeast AgNet’s Ernie Neff reports from the Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference in Bonita Springs, where Florida Citrus Mutual’s directors heard about lobbying and research efforts in the fight against citrus greening disease.Ă‚Â Ă‚Â Report (1:15 mp3) Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June …