There are only so many gut punches the Florida citrus industry can take. And with the exceptionally heavy blows dealt by greening over recent years, you would think the Sunshine State’s signature crop would be down for the count. However, for those on hand during the 2017 Florida Citrus ShowSM last week in Ft. Pierce, you’d know that assessment couldn’t be further from the truth.
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Very Warm Welcome
Quite the contrast to last year's Florida Citrus Show where attendees arrived amid severe rain and wind, the 2017 version served up conditions befitting of the Sunshine State.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Team Player
Indian River Citrus League President Pat Schirard welcomed attendees to the 2017 Florida Citrus Show. During his address, he noted the advancements in new varieties and issued a challenge to his peers in the audience: "There are a lot of smart guys and girls trying to grow citrus in this state. Let's get in the game and grow this industry."
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Indian River Proud
During the session on Fresh Fruit Production and Food Safety, Indian River Citrus League Executive Director Doug Bournique makes a comment about Florida citrus' spotless food safety record.
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Hey, Jude
Dr. Jude Grosser, UF/IFAS, is excited about some new grapefruit variety prospects. In particular, he sung the praises of 'UF 914' not only because it can be eaten even by those who take prescription medication, but also for its superior taste. "It's going to be a home run in the market," he said.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Grapefruit to be Grateful For
Love grapefruit but can't eat it because you're taking prescriptions? UF '914' may be the answer, according to UF/IFAS' Dr. Jude Grosser. Other attributes to this fruit include a great taste (no sugar needed), improved canker tolerance, and possible HLB tolerance.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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School is in Session
A familiar sight over the years at the Florida Citrus Show, the education session room filled with growers, researchers, suppliers and other industry stakeholders ready to learn. Multiple opportunities to earn CEU credits were available throughout the program.
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Strength in Numbers
Despite challenging times in the industry, conversations among the large crowd were upbeat.
Photo by Frank Giles
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For the Taking
Once again, UF/IFAS and USDA brought samples aplenty for attendees to try during the 2017 Florida Citrus Show.
Photo by Frank Giles
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Appealing Conversations
The UF/IFAS citrus variety display table was busy throughout the 2017 Florida Citrus Show. Dr. Fred Gmitter (left) speaks with Show-goers about the '914' grapefruit.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Good Chemistry
Bethel Tri-Yield, featuring its Aqua-Yield technology, had one of the standout displays on the tradeshow floor of the 2017 Florida Citrus Show.
Photo by Frank Giles
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Story Time
Breaks in the action during the education sessions meant it was a good time to visit with the tradeshow vendors. Mike Waldron (left) of Tradewinds Power Corp. appears to be telling a pretty compelling tale during the 2017 Florida Citrus Show.
Photo by Frank Giles
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Choose Wisely
Citrus breeders from USDA also brought plenty of samples to taste.
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Ugly on the Outside, Sweet on the Inside
On display at USDA's citrus variety sample table, 'Gnarlyglo' certainly stands out from the crowd.
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Under the Hood
There were more than a few tractors and other handsome pieces of farm equipment for attendees to get an up-close look at.
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Information Center
UF/IFAS always sports one of the largest and probably the most informative display at the Florida Citrus Show.
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Putting on a Show
The tradeshow of the 2017 Florida Citrus Show was completely sold out. More than 100 displays featured the latest products, equipment, services, and information.
Photo by Frank Giles
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Orange Crush
The perfect color to complement the Florida Citrus Show, there was plenty of big orange on hand thanks to Florida Coast Equipment.
Photo by Frank Giles
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Tractor-cade
Besides big orange, the colors green and red could be seen around the tradeshow floor of the 2017 Florida Citrus Show.
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Tasty Treats
Day 1 of the Florida Citrus Show featured two live cooking demos with Fresh From Florida Chef Bridget Baxley. For the morning break, she offered a Florida Tomato and Orange Marmalade Crostini.
Photo by Frank Giles
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One Bite at a Time
The Florida Tomato and Orange Marmalade Crostini whipped up by Fresh From Florida Chef Bridget Baxley was a big hit with 2017 Florida Citrus Show attendees. For most who tried the tasty bite, it was hard to stop at just one. Click here for the recipe.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Bird's-Eye View
More than 750 attendees came out for the 2017 Florida Citrus Show. To get a real feel of how many folks that is, we got a lift above the roof of the Havert L. Fenn Center to snap the sprawling parking lot full of mostly pickups and SUVs.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Attitude Adjustment
Dr. Steve Futch, UF/IFAS, led a presentation about lessons learned on HLB management in Brazil. Futch commended the Brazilians on their attitude in fighting HLB. He said Florida citrus growers must remove the word "won't" from their production vocabulary.
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Let's Talk
Bill Roe of Wm. G. Roe & Sons addresses the crowd at the 2017 Florida Citrus Show as a participant of the grower panel. In stressing the need for new varieties, he cited 70% of retailers this year decided to pass on carrying "old, seedy" tangerines.
[from left, seated] Nate Jameson, Brite Leaf Nursery; Larry Black, Peace River Citrus Packing; and Peter Chaires, New Varieties Development and Management Corp. wait their turn to speak.
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On the Brite Side
Grower panelist Nate Jameson of Brite Leaf Nursery says out of fear of better options, sour orange rootstock continues to be a popular choice. However, when it comes to new varieties, he said, "We as growers have to pull the trigger at one point or another."
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Any Questions?
Larry Black of Peace River Citrus Packing answers a question from the audience during the grower panel discussion at the 2017 Florida Citrus Show. Panel moderator Peter Chaires of New Varieties Development and Management Corp. scans the crowd for more inquiries.
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Fresh Perspective
During prep for the afternoon cooking demo, Fresh From Florida Chef Bridget Baxley holds up the main ingredient of the featured dish.
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Waiting is the Hardest Part
With anticipation growing among the crowd, Fresh From Florida Chef Bridget Baxley preps and plates her Florida Citrus Show cooking demo finale: Florida shrimp on top of minted citrus couscous.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Catch of the Day
Fresh From Florida's second cooking demo of Day 1 did not disappoint. Prepped and plated, citrus Florida shrimp on top of minted citrus couscous looked as good as it tasted. Click here for the recipe.
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Party On!
The end of Day 1 at the Florida Citrus Show offered attendees a chance to mix, mingle, and enjoy adult beverages and hors d'oeuvres.
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Good Exposure
The tradeshow floor of the 2017 Florida Citrus Show featured scores of eye-catching displays.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Bully For Bactericides
One of the most anticipated talks of the 2017 Florida Citrus Show was about progress being made on optimization of bactericides for HLB management. Dr. Kent Morgan of AgroSource Inc. noted "significant early results" from the latest round of trials. Marked improvements were seen on oranges and grapefruit in reduced leaf/fruit drop, a reduction in titer, and an increase in overall plant health. Based on not only the trial results, but also the need to maintain good management practices while use of these products are still being scrutinized by government agencies, Morgan stressed the importance of resistance management. "We recommend a rotation (of FireWall and FireLine). What we do matters. We need to be good stewards of these products."
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Brain Power
The Florida Citrus Show not only serves as a forum for industry buyers and sellers, but also provides a good place to meet. Several of UF/IFAS' finest minds discuss current trends.
Photo by Frank Giles
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Visiting Vendors
Stopping by and visiting with the vendors who help make the Florida Citrus Show possible is always a pleasure. Hello from the Dilley Citrus Nursery crew.
Photo by Frank Giles
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Smiles All Around
There were plenty of happy faces to be seen at the 2017 Florida Citrus Show.
Photo by Frank Giles
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Pretty as a Picture
Florida Citrus Show attendees always walk away with a ton of knowledge. This lucky Show-goer also walked away with an original painting by Florida Highwaymen artist Kelvin Hair. This was just one of many great prize giveaways on the tradeshow floor.
Photo by Frank Giles
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Fresh Fruit
At least one of these pieces of fruit could end up being the next latest and greatest Florida citrus variety. It was up to participants of a survey to separate the contenders from pretenders.
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Juicy Feedback
Input from the citrus variety survey conducted by New Varieties Development and Management Corp. will help determine which selections are worth vetting further.
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Opinions Wanted
Participants of the citrus variety display were asked to weigh in on the pros and cons of several selections of oranges, tangerines, and grapefruit.
Photo by Frank Giles
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See Ya
Already looking ahead to our next gathering, the 2018 Florida Citrus Show is scheduled for Jan. 24-25.
“We look beat up, but we’re still a large business,” noted Doug Bournique, Executive Director of the Indian River Citrus League, during his welcome to the crowd of attendees in the education session room.
Showing full force through strength in numbers, nearly 800 people turned out for the multiday conference and trade show held at the Havert L. Fenn Center and presented by Florida Grower® magazine in partnership with UF/IFAS, USDA, and the Indian River Citrus League.
So, what’s the big attraction to an event like this, especially with a struggling sector? Like always, the gathering served as a prime forum for growers, researchers, packers, and other industry stakeholders to share successes, review the latest advancements in crop protection (most notably bactericides), get primed on new/improved production practices, and peel back the layers on new variety development.
One main theme that came to the surface during the event: It appears if the big business of Florida citrus is to move forward, taking advantage of new varieties will have to be part of the equation.
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Dr. Jude Grosser, UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center, made a strong case for new grapefruit varieties that are ready to roll out. In particular, Grosser spoke highly about ‘UF 914.’ The fruit is being heralded as the possible answer for those who love grapefruit, but can’t eat it because they take prescription medications. In addition to that healthy attribute, Grosser said the variety’s taste (no sugar needed) is what makes it a real all star. “‘914’ is gonna be a home run in the market,” Grosser said.
In addition, Grosser mentioned new cybrid grapefruit clones coming with improved canker tolerance and possibly HLB tolerance. “This is breakthrough stuff,” he remarked.
Pat Schirard, President of the Indian River Citrus League and longtime grower, stressed to attendees the importance of getting off the sidelines when deciding on whether to plant new selections. “There are lots of new (promising) varieties,” he said. “We need to get in the game and grow this industry.”
For more highlights captured during the 2017 Florida Citrus Show, scan the photo gallery above.
015Game Far From Over for Florida Citrus
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Paul Rusnak is the Senior Online Editor for Meister Media Worldwide's Specialty Crops Division, which consists of American Vegetable Grower, American Fruit Grower, and Greenhouse Grower magazines, all Meister Media brands. He is based in Northeast Florida. See all author stories here.