Page 34 - CFAN_Jul2014

FEATURE | citrus: from page 20 O
Growers have been resisting the disease using neonicotinoids on plants up to two years old, in addition to spraying pyrethroids to kill vectors (Asian psyllids) that spread the disease.
Brandon Page, spray program coordinator, says the statewide average was seven psyllids per block in April, May, and June, up from the all-time low in February of under two psyllid per block. Rates typically inch up in spring.
Area-wide controlled sprays are important, so in some cases
growers are obtaining permission to spray their neighbors’ abandoned groves. Psyllids alsoMcan be attracted by wild citrus, or orange jasmine or boxthorn hedges. “No matter what’s around you
... I think eventually psyllids are going to find a way to your grove,”
Page observes.
Meanwhile, the state Department of Citrus has re-launched the family of brands featuring the tagline “There’s Amazing Inside.” It is highlighting “The Amazing 6” qualities of Florida Orange Juice: Flavor, Vitamin C, Potassium, Folic Acid, Hesperidin, and No Added Sugar.
It’s also revamping the industry mascot, Captain Citrus, through a partnership with Marvel. “The new character will be linked with Marvel’s popular Avengers characters in a series of custom comic books that will also help to convey the values of the Florida citrus industry and making smart choices about nutrition,” says Doug Ackerman, DOC’s executive director. “Through this, Captain Citrus will transform from a Florida-only asset to one that is useful globally.”
We will learn how to cope with it,”heasserts. “Toomanypeople are working too hard not to come up with some solutions.”
Orange juice continues to be “the number one fruit juice at the breakfast table,” he says, based on a DOC survey. “Americans
continue to drink every
drop of Florida orange juice produced.”
Florida citrus production fell to 156.2 million boxes in 2012- 2013, the lowest it has been since 1989-90 with nearly 154.2 million boxes, according to Florida Citrus Statistics 2012-2013, the latest citrus report released by U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Polk County led citrus production that year with 24.5 million boxes. It reflected a nine percent decline from 171 million boxes in 2011-12. A box is about one and three fifths of a bushel.
For the Story family, this season was “disappointing,” Victor says. “I’m glad it’s behind us.” The 68-year-old, who has weathered citrus challenges for 50 years, believes HLB will likely be similar to the citrus burrowing nematodes growers have fought all his life. “I think we’ll be dealing with this greening disease the rest of my life and my sons’ lives. We will learn how to cope with it,” he asserts. “Too many people are working too hard not to come up with some solutions.”
The company’s 15 percent expansion includes 334 acres of juice oranges that should be planted by July next year. They have diversified with peaches and cattle, although those holdings are minimal, and are participating in the Fast Track program by New Varieties Development and Management Corp. (NVDMC). As Kyle, president of Polk County Farm Bureau, says: “You’re either all in, or all out.” ag
34 | CFAN
FloridaAgNews.com
U.S. OJ Consumption Per Capita
Year
OJ (in gallons)
2002
5
2003 4.9
2004
4.9
2005 4.8
2006
4.4
2007 4.1
2008
3.8
2009 3.9
2010
3.7
2011 3.8
2012
3.2