Prospects Perking Up For Florida Citrus In 2015 [Opinion]

Photo by Frank GilesAs we delve into the 2014-2015 season, I see a lot of reason for optimism. First, the crop estimate came in higher than most of us thought. If we can produce somewhere near 108 million boxes of oranges, we should be in decent shape this year. Mutual hosted a great crowd of more than 170 attendees at the Davis Barn in Wauchula for the estimate luncheon. When the number was read, a real sense of relief swept over the gathering. Now we just have our fingers crossed that the fruit stays on the tree. So far, I’ve heard some fairly encouraging news on that front.

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Planting Trifecta

Another positive development is a trio of incentive programs government and business are offering to growers to help get trees in the ground. We all know fruit is the lifeblood of this industry and we need more trees to support the current and future infrastructure. Under the USDA’s new Tree Assistance Program (TAP), eligible growers can cost share with USDA for diseased tree removal and re-planting, including labor and nursery trees. The TAP is only available to Florida growers.

This is really good news and should go a long way to incentivize eligible growers to replant citrus. The uniqueness of this program is we were able to write it in a way that covers a long standing disease instead of one time event such as a freeze or hurricane and the fact it involves multiple years of damage.
I can’t thank U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Florida Farm Service Agency executive director Rick Dantzler enough for their hard work in making this program happen.

In addition to the TAP, both Minute Maid and Florida’s Natural are providing significant incentive programs to get growers to plant trees. There are two big projects that exist right now where growers planting more than 5,000 acres. A production manager heading up one of the projects gave an uplifting presentation at the Citrus Industry Annual Conference about their investment and how he believes they can raise citrus in the current environment. The pictures he took on a hill overlooking these new plantings are really quite a sight.

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To support the re-planting effort, we have a world class budwood and germplasm infrastructure thanks to the Florida legislature who funded an expansion through Commissioner Adam Putnam’s FDACS budget.

Citrus Health Management Areas (CHMAs) show growers can control the psyllid. Many growers are investing in the industry by using the latest production techniques such as high-density plantings, and they are confident they will see a return on investment.

Funds Building Up

Citrus growers have spent $90 million over the past nine years to fund research. This shows the level of commitment to the future of this industry. The Farm Bill authorized $125 million over the next five years in citrus research funding. That is great news and shows Congress’ support for the domestic citrus industry. The USDA’s Citrus Disease Subcommittee, made up of mostly growers from Florida, California, and Texas, is now evaluating projects. Funding should be delivered soon and will only strengthen the massive research push. Don’t forget the Florida legislature, which appropriated more than $20 million directly to the Citrus Research and Development Foundation over the past three years. Leaders know how important we are.

We have the best and brightest researchers working on the puzzle and they are making headway. Antimicrobials are looking like a viable therapy for trees in the ground. The thermal therapy heat treatment is showing positive results as well. UF scientists also are finding rootstocks that are tolerant to HLB.

See, it’s not so bad. And if any industry can make it through these challenging times, it’s the Florida citrus industry. So at least take the time to feel a little bit better about the prospects for our industry this season.

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