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To paraphrase a quote from citrus grower James Shinn, the current HLB-ravaged environment is forcing us to “rewrite the book on growing citrus.” This month, Tree Defender introduces our latest chapter; a new weapon in the story of the war on greening. For some high-end fresh fruit growers, CUPS has become a successful chapter in […]

In the past 20 years, the Florida citrus industry has been devastated by greening disease, intense hurricanes, and a global pandemic that widely affected nearly every industry in the state. Through it all, Florida citrus growers demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination. Despite growers’ best efforts, production has plummeted, with estimates for the current season at

Allergies present a significant challenge for horse owners, impacting the health and well-being of their horses. As insect and pollen levels increase, it’s essential to be aware of the signs and symptoms of allergies and take proactive steps to manage them effectively. Common Allergies in Horses Respiratory allergies are very common and are often triggered

You see a lot of praise for the hard work Florida farmers and ranchers do to provide the food and fibers we use as a nation and their economic contribution to the state. According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, there were 44,703 ag operations farming 9.7 million acres and producing $10.2 billion in agricultural

No one in the field of agriculture has ever claimed that farming is easy, yet growers push on because it’s in their blood. Unfavorable weather conditions, variable yields, diseases, pests, and market fluctuations are nothing new. In fact, most Florida farmers effectively say, “Been there, done that.” Florida growers are resilient and resourceful, well versed

Thomas Edison may have put it best when he said that “Genius is 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration.” For the Florida citrus industry, the struggle with greening has been a season of perspiration. Although we have seen some research advancements, it seems like these developments are not coming fast enough. We are simply

Propagating citrus budwood involves taking a cutting, or scion, from a healthy citrus tree and grafting it onto a rootstock. This method preserves the desirable traits of the parent tree, such as fruit quality maturity to flower fruit or disease resistance. It’s a quicker and more reliable way to produce trees with known characteristics compared

Equine gastric ulcers are a significant concern for horse owners, as they can cause discomfort and affect a horse’s overall health and performance. The equine stomach continually secretes gastric acid, which aids in the digestion of food. However, when the acid production overwhelms the stomach’s protective mechanisms — usually a layer of mucus — ulcers

Brazilian agro-science has released information on what is being called a “groundbreaking study” into the use of an antioxidant supplement as a fertilizer to combat citrus greening and other plant diseases. The research was conducted by biologist and researcher Dr. Simone Cristina Picchi at the labs of the Citrus Center of the Agronomic Institute of

We’re living in unique times with challenges piling up on all fronts. The nation is wracked by civil and political turmoil, and the cost of living is taking a toll on everyone’s pocketbook and morale.  One of the biggest challenges we face is inflation. It’s getting more and more difficult to keep food in our