Orchard Crops

North Carolina strawberry harvest early this year

Wed, 23 May 2012 10:27:00 +0000

By Chris Bickers, Contributing Writer

An exceptionally warm winter, a warm spring and few heavy rains in either season all contributed to a very early start of strawberry harvest in North Carolina.

New Lipan pecan variety offers good yield, disease resistance

Thu, 17 May 2012 14:45:00 +0000

The new pecan variety Lipan — released as a trial variety last July — is a large, high-quality nut which generates excellent yields and improved disease resistance.

Save Our Citrus app helps public report diseases

Thu, 03 May 2012 15:46:00 +0000

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has released a free Save Our Citrus app that makes it easy to identify and report the four leading citrus diseases: citrus greening, citrus canker, citrus black spot and sweet orange scab.

Mike Sparks: Critical funding issues at top of priorities list

Thu, 03 May 2012 15:36:00 +0000

CHARLES JOHNSON

Like most leaders of ag organizations, just about every minute of Mike Sparks’ time stays booked these days. This is one of those years of confluence, when a lot of things call for the attention of Florida Citrus Mutual’s chief executive officer and executive vice president.

Citrus leadership program seeks nominees

Thu, 03 May 2012 15:33:00 +0000

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association’s Emerging Leader Development Program is looking for partners for its 2012-13 class, and members are urged to get involved by supporting it financially and by nominating a potential leader, says Sonia Tighe, program leader.

Hunt Bros. Cooperative — Change is a vital part of their business DNA

Thu, 03 May 2012 15:26:00 +0000

CHARLES JOHNSON

Sometimes things just need a good renovation. These days, Frank Hunt III enjoys pointing out the intricacies of the packinghouse at Hunt Bros. Cooperative headquarters outside Lake Wales.

John Painter, Jr.: a focus on tropical fruit

Thu, 03 May 2012 15:19:00 +0000

CHARLES JOHNSON

Visit John Painter, Jr.’s Pantropic Grove, and you get an eye-opening lesson in tropical fruit production. Exotic fruit from around the world fascinated Painter from the moment he moved from Connecticut to Pine Island, Fla.

California will take over psyillid trapping, detection

Thu, 03 May 2012 15:14:00 +0000

California’s agriculture is launching an effort to protect the state’s $2 billion citrus industry. Dr. Robert Leavitt, director of plant health inspection for the California Deaprtment of Food and Agriculture, said the trapping and detection program for Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) will shift to the state April 1.

Barben, Hunt, and Lester are inducted into Florida Citrus Hall of Fame

Thu, 03 May 2012 15:02:00 +0000

The selection committee for the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame has announced that three industry leaders were inducted during the 50th anniversary Citrus Celebration luncheon March 2 at Florida Southern College, Lakeland.

Citrus greening costs industry $3.63 billion

Thu, 03 May 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Since 2006, the bacterial disease citrus greening has cost Florida’s economy an estimated $3.63 billion in lost revenues and 6,611 jobs by reducing orange juice production, according to a study from the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.