For the first time ever, Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM) was forced to cancel the Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference in June due to COVID-19 concerns. It was a very difficult decision, but after close consultation among FCM, our board, and the Hyatt Coconut Point staff, we decided it was the best course of action.
Besides losing the camaraderie, excellent banquet events, and entertainment, the decision meant we would also eliminate the conference’s educational session, which normally draws 350 to 400 people and gives the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) a great opportunity to update the industry on the latest scientific developments as well as what is working and not working for growers in the field.
Rick Dantzler, COO of the CRDF, and FCM staff immediately began to ponder whether we could pull off a session via the Zoom meeting platform. Collectively, we all agreed the event is too important, and Rick did not want to miss the chance to communicate with stakeholders.
So on July 22, the CRDF and FCM hosted the first Virtual Educational Session. It drew more than 200 unique participants from across the citrus industry — by any measure a great success.
The top-notch session presenters really gave me a renewed sense of optimism about the direction of citrus research. Citrus scientists are giving growers tools to manage a crop in the face of HLB.
Thoughts From the Field
The session also showed me the depth and breadth of the CRDF’s research portfolio and the tremendous work that organization is doing. By far the most interesting part of the session for me was the grower roundtable and thoughts from the field. Growers Brandon Page of the CRDF, David Howard — who also serves as Chairman of the CRDF board — Larry Black, Rob Atchley, and Daniel Scott, all gave insightful presentations and data about blocks that are producing quality fruit through their focused production techniques and interpretation of the available information.
The photos that accompanied the presentations were stunning. They showed green, dense, healthy citrus trees grown under immense disease pressure. They screamed at me, “We can do this!”
Page manages the CRDF’s field trials, and his data showed our new tolerant rootstocks are really getting it done, particularly US 942. US 942 has clearly become the workhorse rootstock for the industry. Many of the session’s presenters also testified as to the significant, positive performance of US 942. Thumbs up to USDA-ARS and our folks in Ft. Pierce.
Dr. Bob Shatters, a Microbiologist at USDA-Ft. Pierce, presented compelling findings from research into the curative effects of oak leaf extract. Shatters reported he found that citrus leaves treated with this extract showed a decrease in the presence of HLB bacteria. The study also suggests that oak leaf extract increases both nutrient uptake and chlorophyll content.
Although more research needs to be done, I am encouraged that oak leaf extract will provide a unique treatment at some point.
Dr. Christopher Vincent of UF/IFAS reported that red-dyed kaolin clay particle films improve ACP management and reduce disease pressure. Vincent said both red and undyed kaolin films increase growth and leaf water status and mitigate water deficits. Very encouraging stuff.
UF Entomologist Lukasz Stelinski gave a great presentation on psyllid control and integrated pest management. Stelinski has repeatedly shown that reducing psyllid populations improves tree health and yield even if a tree has HLB.
Kristen Carlson gave an update on the CRAFT (Citrus Research and Field Trials) program, which expects to have 5,000 acres planted by next year and should uncover more tools growers can use in the field. This program was built by the industry, FDACS, and the USDA from the ground up and can serve as our test tube in the field for years to come.
As you can see, things are progressing at a steady pace on the production side. Dr. Marissa Zansler, the Florida Department of Citrus’ Chief Economist, talked to session participants about the consumption side and how retail OJ sales have spiked over the past few months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we’ve also suffered a dramatic decrease in the away-from-home market as people stopped going to restaurants and hotels.
I believe restaurant/hotel sales will gradually come back as COVID numbers decrease. So, the challenge for the industry is to ride the momentum behind the retail sales uptick. People clearly still think OJ is good for them! Let’s get sales up, inventories down, and improve grower returns. Then we can get more trees in the ground utilizing the tools outlined in the educational session. Sounds easy right? We all know it isn’t. But from what I am seeing, the industry will get there. As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
All of the 2020 Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference virtual presentations can be found at FlCitrusMutual.com/about/fciac.aspx, and the CRDF has posted a recording of the session at CitrusRDF.org.
Comments 60
I intended to put you that bit of observation to help thank you so much yet again for your personal lovely tactics you have shared above. This has been wonderfully generous with you to make extensively all a lot of people could possibly have distributed for an e-book to earn some money on their own, even more so seeing that you could possibly have tried it in the event you wanted. Those tips as well served as the fantastic way to be certain that other people have a similar dream just as mine to know the truth more and more in regard to this condition. I believe there are many more pleasant instances up front for people who browse through your website.
Great write-up, I’m normal visitor of one’s blog, maintain up the nice operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a long time.
I do not even understand how I ended up here, but I assumed this publish used to be great
you are really a good webmaster. The site loading velocity is incredible.
It sort of feels that you are doing any distinctive trick.
In addition, The contents are masterpiece. you have performed a
wonderful job in this topic!
I really love your blog.. Very nice colors & theme. Did you develop this site yourself?
Please reply back as I’m trying to create my own personal site and want
to find out where you got this from or what the theme
is named. Appreciate it!
Having read this I believed it was rather informative.
I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this article together.
I once again find myself spending a lot of time
both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worth it!
This is my first time pay a quick visit at here and i am really happy to read everthing at one place
Hello exceptional website! Does running a blog similar to this require
a great deal of work? I have very little understanding of programming but I had been hoping to start my own blog in the near future.
Anyways, if you have any suggestions or tips for new blog owners please
share. I understand this is off subject but I simply needed to ask.
Thanks a lot!
For the reason that the admin of this site is working, no uncertainty very quickly it will be renowned, due to its quality contents.
I like the efforts you have put in this, regards for all the great content.
This was beautiful Admin. Thank you for your reflections.
Awesome! Its genuinely remarkable post, I have got much clear idea regarding from this post.
I just like the helpful information you provide in your articles
Very well presented. Every quote was awesome and thanks for sharing the content. Keep sharing and keep motivating others.
That’s good, but I still don’t understand the purpose of this page posting, no or what and where do they get material like this.
Simply wish to say your article is as astonishing. The clearness in your post is simply cool and i could assume you’re an expert on this subject. Well with your permission let me to grab your RSS feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the rewarding work.
I simply could not depart your website before suggesting that I actually enjoyed the standard info an individual supply on your visitors?
Is going to be again steadily in order to investigate cross-check
new posts
I’m often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your web site and maintain checking for brand spanking new information.
I really like reading through a post that can make men and women think. Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!
I truly appreciate your technique of writing a blog. I added it to my bookmark site list and will
I very delighted to find this internet site on bing, just what I was searching for as well saved to fav
you are truly a excellent webmaster. The website loading velocity
is incredible. It kind of feels that you are doing any distinctive trick.
Furthermore, The contents are masterwork. you have performed a excellent process on this
subject!
Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your
blog and wanted to say that I’ve really enjoyed browsing your blog posts.
In any case I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and
I hope you write again soon!
It’s really a cool and helpful piece of information. I am happy that you simply shared this useful info with
us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
I’m really loving the theme/design of your website. Do you ever
run into any internet browser compatibility issues?
A few of my blog visitors have complained about my site not working correctly
in Explorer but looks great in Firefox. Do you have any tips to
help fix this issue?
You are so cool! I do not suppose I have read anything like this before.
So nice to find someone with a few original thoughts on this subject.
Really.. thanks for starting this up. This site is something that is needed on the internet, someone with some originality!
Terrific post but I was wondering if you could write a litte more
on this subject? I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit more.
Appreciate it!
I do not even understand how I ended up here, but I assumed this publish used to be great
There is definately a lot to find out about this subject. I like all the points you made
I do not even understand how I ended up here, but I assumed this publish used to be great
naturally like your web site however you need to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to tell the truth on the other hand I will surely come again again.
I just like the helpful information you provide in your articles
I really like reading through a post that can make men and women think. Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!
I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own weblog and was wondering
what all is needed to get set up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny?
I’m not very web savvy so I’m not 100% positive.
Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Kudos
Good post! We will be linking to this particularly great post on our site. Keep up the great writing
I do not even understand how I ended up here, but I assumed this publish used to be great
There is definately a lot to find out about this subject. I like all the points you made
you’re really a good webmaster. The website loading speed is incredible. It seems that you’re doing any unique trick. Also, The contents are masterwork. you have done a fantastic job on this topic!
You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be really something that I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I’m looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!
There is definately a lot to find out about this subject. I like all the points you made
I am truly thankful to the owner of this web site who has shared this fantastic piece of writing at at this place.
Hey there, I think your site might be having browser compatibility
issues. When I look at your website in Ie, it looks fine but when opening
in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up!
Other then that, awesome blog!
Great information shared.. really enjoyed reading this post thank you author for sharing this post .. appreciated
Very well presented. Every quote was awesome and thanks for sharing the content. Keep sharing and keep motivating others.
This was beautiful Admin. Thank you for your reflections.
I very delighted to find this internet site on bing, just what I was searching for as well saved to fav
Awesome! Its genuinely remarkable post, I have got much clear idea regarding from this post.
Great information shared.. really enjoyed reading this post thank you author for sharing this post .. appreciated
There is definately a lot to find out about this subject. I like all the points you made
I’m often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your web site and maintain checking for brand spanking new information.
For the reason that the admin of this site is working, no uncertainty very quickly it will be renowned, due to its quality contents.
There is definately a lot to find out about this subject. I like all the points you made
I appreciate you sharing this blog post. Thanks Again. Cool.
Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on websites
very informative articles or reviews at this time.
Very well presented. Every quote was awesome and thanks for sharing the content. Keep sharing and keep motivating others.
I am truly thankful to the owner of this web site who has shared this fantastic piece of writing at at this place.
There is definately a lot to find out about this subject. I like all the points you made
I constantly spent my half an hour to read this web site’s
content all the time along with a cup of coffee.
naturally like your web site however you need to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to tell the truth on the other hand I will surely come again again.