USDA Releases Florida Citrus Freeze Damage Report
January 21, 2011 A special survey was conducted Jan. 10-11 to assess the effect of sub-freezing temperatures that occurred throughout the Florida citrus producing region during December 2010. Using the Federal-State Inspection Service standards, fruit was cut and scored for damage at depths of ¼-inch, ½-inch, and at the center, recording the point of greatest severity of damage.
The report was broken down into several sections including:
– Condition of fruit on trees by fruit type
– Condition of fruit on trees by production area and fruit type
– Leaf damage by fruit type
– Leaf damage by production area and fruit type
– Maturity
Although most damage metrics seemed to indicate relatively low percentages of major and serious leaf damage as well as fruit damage, multiple producers Florida Grower spoke with during the recent 2011 Florida Citrus Show (Jan. 19-20) in Ft. Pierce seemed to think those numbers were low.
Samples collected were tested at the USDA, NASS, Florida Field Office laboratory. Test results show a decrease in acid percent from the Jan. 1, 2011 survey for all fruit types. Solids to acid ratios are higher for all fruit types. Solids per box is higher for early and late oranges but lower for midseason oranges. No frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) projections are made from these results. The next FCOJ projection will be included in the February 9 forecast.
Subscribe Today For
