Cooperating With Competitors Is Key

There is a saying that “teamwork divides the task and multiplies the success.” The saying took on greater meaning to me during a recent trip to meet with the U.S. Citrus Council, a consortium of leaders from citrus-producing states.

Representatives from California Citrus Mutual, Florida Citrus Mutual, Texas Citrus Mutual, and the Arizona industry (states that make up the council) gathered in Irving, TX, in early November to discuss our common desire to fund pest and disease science as well as abscission chemical research.
We all agreed it only makes sense for us — as four large states with strong Congressional delegations — to work together to ensure that each and every federal funding mechanism is utilized. Getting money from Congress, especially in today’s environment, is not a slam dunk. This new spirit of cooperation is great news.

Teaming Up Against Greening

While Florida is currently the only U.S. state with confirmed cases of citrus greening, both California and Texas understand that the disease is a very real threat to their industries as well.

We all acknowledged that citrus-producing states must work collectively to lobby for the continuation of current research as well as the allocation of additional funds. It just makes sense. After the Texas meeting, I truly believe we can overcome whatever issues have divided us in the past — and there have been plenty. Beating greening and advancing mechanical harvesting, however, are too important not to let bygones be bygones.

But you know what? It’s not only California, Texas, Arizona, and Florida that should cooperate to ensure the future of citrus. It is imperative that researchers in the U.S. work with their counterparts in Brazil to defeat citrus greening, which is rapidly spreading through Brazilian citrus groves. I’ve seen it firsthand and let me tell you, greening has the Brazilians’ attention.

I understand Florida and Brazil are fierce competitors; there is no doubt about that. Both countries believe they have the best product, and both will continue to aggressively sell that product in markets across the globe. However, Asian citrus psyllids don’t know the difference between Florida and Brazilian citrus. They really don’t care which is better and will continue to destroy both without prejudice unless we tap into our collective resources.

Hugh Thompson, the head of Cutrale’s U.S. operations, offered these encouraging words at the dedication of the new citrus pathology lab at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center. Cutrale pitched in a significant amount of money to fund the lab. That’s forward thinking at its best.
“We need the Florida citrus grower to be successful,” Thompson said. “Research is an area where we can both succeed and where we both need a lot of work to be done.”

Not Backing Down

I can assure you, cooperating on research does not mean Florida Citrus Mutual will stop working hard on preserving the FCOJ tariff and making sure Brazilian importers play by the rules and don’t dump product in the U.S. We will remain vigilant.

But we have to be smart and manage our efforts on research. The mandate of the Florida citrus industry should be to work closely with our colleagues in California, Texas, Arizona, and Brazil to squeeze every penny out of our research dollars. We must identify projects that will benefit all parties and find ways to fund them.

Through teamwork, we can divide the task and ultimately multiply the success. In this instance, the worldwide future of citrus may depend on it.
As always, do not hesitate to contact me at 863-682-1111 with any questions or concerns.