There are times I can do or say no wrong (at least in my mind, anyway). Of course, there are plenty of second and third-parties that would beg to differ on that assessment. Fine. OK, so I may not be the chosen one with the golden touch, but who among us is?
Around agriculture, there are deep-rooted ways used all across this land to get the job done. Conversely, there are a multitude of proprietary methods of production, pest control, etc. that make each producer unique. For this, we as an industry are better off. Yes, our competitive nature can get the best of us sometimes, but in the end, it’s the very thing that sparks creativity, which in turn can and does lead to solutions for even the biggest challenges.
Differing Points Of View
To that end, it’s interesting how a major issue like greening, which has been a persistent and perplexing thorn in the sides of Florida citrus growers now for nearly six years, can still present such a divide in philosophy over possible management methods. Basic psyllid control aside, removing trees was the standard practice for years and still is in many groves around the state today. Isolate the problem, remove, and start over. Simple enough, but certainly costly and time consuming.
On the other side of the table, you have frustrated growers looking to prolong the game any way they know how. One way in particular: employing a rigorous nutritional program to prime plant health. Winter Garden-based grower Maury Boyd, the 2011 Florida Grower Citrus Achievement Award winner and this month’s cover story subject, easily has been the most outspoken and somewhat controversial advocate of this approach. The foliar feeding efforts he backs are geared to strengthen existing inventory and squeeze as much out of the groves as possible while research continues to chip away at what everyone hopes to be an ultimate resolution. The ideology of a healthy specimen being better prepared to deal with and still produce even with an unrelenting malady like HLB makes sense, too.
So, which way is right?
Changing Perspective
Without a doubt, the space between those on the opposite sides of this debate has shrunk considerably thanks to awareness, open discussion, and now measurable results. Time is of the essence and you can feel the tide starting to turn in research circles. There is room for both opinions — finally.
So, has Maury Boyd truly gone from “renegade” to regaled? The Achievement Award nod is a good indicator. He netted more nominations than any other candidate in recent memory, including a solid backing from Florida Citrus Mutual. Even more telling: The global citrus industry, now more than ever, is focused on Florida and is closely watching what’s going on in his groves. Now that’s impact, no matter which way you slice it.
Special thanks to Chemtura AgroSolutions for sponsoring the Citrus Achievement Award program.
Paul Rusnak is the Senior Multimedia Specialist for Meister Media Worldwide's Specialty Crops Division, which consists of American Vegetable Grower, American Fruit Grower, and Greenhouse Grower, all Meister Media brands. He is based in Northeast Florida.
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May 18, 2011 