www.FloridaAgNews.com
vol 12 | issue 4 | october 2021
The Voice of Agriculture for Our Region
2021-2022
Citrus FORECAST edition
THE ROAD AHEAD ALL EYES ON DROP RATE HEADING INTO NEXT SEASON
ADVANCES AGAINST GREENING FUNGAL PATHOGEN EFFECTIVE AGAINST ASIAN CITRUS PSYLLID
INSPIRED TO OVERCOME EQUINE THERAPY PROGRAM REACHES OUT ON NEW LEVEL
EMBRACING HER ROLE INTERMEDIATE BEEF AMBASSADOR EXCITED TO SHARE HER PASSION
WHO’S WHO
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CONTENTS | o c t o b e r 2 0 2 1
Lourdes Pérez Cordero did not grow up in a citrus-growing family, but you wouldn’t know that after meeting her. Pérez, who recently started her position as the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Science Extension agent for Highlands County, is eager and enthusiastic to engage with local citrus and vegetable growers and connect them to the resources available from UF specialists working in the area.
11 ADVANCES AGAINST GREENING
Citrus FOR ECAST
THE RO
AD A
The Asian citrus psyllid transmits the bacterium associated with the most serious citrus disease worldwide — and now it has a formidable enemy in a fungal pathogen. The fungus is Cordyceps javanica, strain Apopka, discovered by research scientist Lance Osborne in the mid-1980s. The fungus was isolated from dead insects on plants in a greenhouse at the University of Florida MidFlorida Research and Education Center in Apopka. The connection between horses and humans facilitates a bond that can help us overcome intense challenges. That’s why Inspire Equine Therapy Programs uses activities and interactions with horses to help teens and adults with disabilities, as well as veterans with disabilities. It’s only natural that 13-year-old Reagan Hancock of Levy County would be named this year’s Intermediate Florida Beef Ambassador. After all, her mother grew up on a farm, Reagan has been active in 4-H since kindergarten, and she has been showing beef cattle since she was just 8 years old. This young lady knows more than a little bit about beef and the Florida cattle industry, and she can’t wait to share her knowledge with the world.
ture fo r Our Re gion
edition
HEAD The sun rises over Lake Wales INSPIRED ADVAN TO OVE CES AG RCOME GREENIN citrus groves on a recent AINST G EMBRAC ING HER October morning. As the ROLE Florida citrus industry waits WHO’S WHO for the official 2021-2022 USDA Citrus Forecast Report to drop in mid-October, some of the growers think “the drop” may be one of the keys to the whole season. Read more about the upcoming season on page 12. photo by JOE LEDUC ALL EYES ON DROP HEADIN RATE G INTO NEXT SE ASON
FUNGAL AGAINST PATHOGEN EFF ECTIV ASIAN CIT RUS PSY E LLID
EQUINE TH REACHES ERAPY PROG RAM OUT ON NEW LEV EL
INTERM ED EXCITED IATE BEEF AM BASSADO TO SHAR R E HER PA SSION
JOHN HU FLORIDA NDLEY NAMED 2022 AG HA NEW HIG LL OF FAME IND HLA
& MEET
gNews.c
18 EMBRACING HER ROLE
4 | octob er 2021
2021-202 2
FloridaA
14 INSPIRED TO OVERCOME
On the Cover
| issue
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The Vo ice of Ag ricul
PRES PRSR ORT T STD STD U.S. US POST Posta ge AGE PAI PAIDD Perm TAMP it No. A, FL 335 PERM Lake IT #2118 land , Fl.
10 NEW HIGHLANDS EXTENSION AGENT
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Departments 5 Publisher’s Letter 7 President’s Letter 9 Signs of the Season 16 Angle’s Letter 20 Agri-News 22 AgriShopper 23 Ag-Rec 24 Calendar
26 Recipe Spotlight 28 In The Heartland 29 Who’s Who 31 Classifieds 34 Agri-Update 36 FFA Corner 38 Editor’s Last Word
Sign up
for a FREE On-Farm Readiness Review The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR) inspections have begun. Sign up now to request a free On-Farm Readiness Review (OFRR), offered in partnership by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and University of Florida IFAS. The OFRR is an educational opportunity to help individual farms align practices with the PSR regulatory requirements in preparation for inspections.
For more information on FSMA and to sign up for an OFRR, visit FDACS.gov/FSMA or call (863) 578-1900. To take full advantage of the OFRR and for PSR compliance, one farm representative should first attend a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training. Upcoming trainings can be found at: crec.ifas. ufl.edu/extension/events
This publication is supported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award U2FFD007446 totaling $1,179,719 with 100 percent funded by FDA/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by FDA/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
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PUBLISHER LETTER
The Book Isn’t Closed FLORIDA HAS BEEN SYNONYMOUS with citrus for so long that it’s difficult not to think of them as interdependent. But the landscape is changing. I can remember riding the tractor through my grandmother’s grove near Scott Lake in Lakeland when I was a young boy. Of course, those beautiful groves were turned into beautiful neighborhoods long ago. Grandma’s tangerines and grapefruit were the best in the state, at least that’s what we believed. Admittedly, we were a little biased. Fast forward 50 years and things have certainly changed for citrus in our state. Our state’s citrus roots stretch all the way back to the early 1500s when Spanish explorers planted the first orange trees near St. Augustine. The trees thrived, proving that Florida’s sandy soil and unique climate were just what citrus needed. Full-blown commercial production took off in the 1800s, aided in particular by
• New greening-tolerant rootstocks and varieties now available • Largest screened commercial citrus nursery in the US • DNA tested true-to-type citrus varieties and rootstocks available • Now contracting for 2021-2022
PEACHES • Licensed grower of low chill peaches on Flordaguard and MP-29 rootstocks • Low chill varieties ideal for central and south Florida climates
• Now contracting for 2021-2022
It’s easy to follow the rise and decline of citrus, but the book isn’t closed yet. Researchers are working around the clock to gain traction against greening. The least we can do is hold out hope. Thank you for reading Central Florida Ag News, and God bless! ag
Trifoliate orange and its hybrids have been widely utilized as them. It can facilitate their effort to clone genes or edit genes for rootstocks in citrus production. They accounted for 82% of the citrus greening disease resistance, save their time, reduce costs, top 20 rootstocks used in the 2018-2019 citrus propagation or speed up the development of new resistant cultivars. cycle, according to Dr. Zhanao Deng, professor of “We identified strong candidate genes that may control Environmental Horticulture at UF. He also led and trifoliate orange’s tolerance to citrus greening, coordinated the trifoliate genome sequencing, strong candidate genes for citrus nematodes, analyses, and mining efforts, and oversaw the candidate genes for cold hardiness, and others,” production of the final paper. Deng says. “These candidate genes seem to be “The most popular rootstock at present time, good targets for engineering or editing for citrus US-942, is a trifoliate orange hybrid,” says Deng. greening resistance.” Trifoliate orange and its hybrids benefit scion citrus This genome sequence will make it much easier to cultivars in multiple ways including resistance to by Phillip Rucks develop new citrus breeding tools that can be used citrus tristeza virus, citrus nematodes, tolerance to citrus to speed up the development of citrus cultivars. New seedling damping-off, root and foot rot, and gummosis. DNA markers can be used to select desirable, promising citrus Very importantly, trifoliate orange and its hybrids possess genes plants years before they flower and bear fruit. DNA markers can that can provide a high level of tolerance to citrus greening and help citrus breeders eliminate hundreds or thousands of resistance to Asian citrus psyllids. Deng says trifoliate orange has unwanted citrus plants when the plants are only several months been a very important breeding parent for citrus breeding and a old and it can help in finding rare plants with better citrus major source of valuable genes for improving citrus. It can greening resistance. The sequencing, analysis, and releasing of provide valuable genes and gene sequences for using the latest the trifoliate orange genome are direct results of close collabobiotechnologies and precision breeding to improve varieties, for rations among Deng laboratory at the UF Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Gmitter laboratory at the UF Citrus resistance to citrus greening and other major diseases. Research and Education Center, Rokhsar laboratory at the UC The high-quality trifoliate orange genome assembly is freely Berkeley, and Albert Wu and Shengqiang Shu at the U.S. Departavailable online to citrus researchers and other researchers at ment of Energy’s Joint Genome Institute (JGI). With the status their fingertips. Dr. Deng mentions this genome has our citrus industry is in I hope this is sooner rather than later in become a genomic resource of enormous value to developing better tolerant citrus to HLB.
PHILLIP RUCKS CITRUS NURSERY, INC. Phillip Rucks, Owner
FloridaAgNews.com
NELSON KIRKLAND , Publishe nelson@ce r ntralflorida mediagrou p.com
Was the Secret to Saving Citrus Trees Just Unlocked?
CITRUS
• Licensed for new released varieties
railroads that enabled growers to ship their products across the country. By the 1830s, Florida had secured itself as the top supplier of citrus. In 1894-5, a series of freezes dealt a critical blow to the industry, destroying most of the citrus crop. In a show of the resilience we still see in the industry today, growers persisted and moved their operations south. By the 1950s, the state was producing more than 100 million boxes per year, only to be surpassed two decades later in the ’70s when the harvest grew to more than 200 million boxes for the first time. That was widely considered the heyday of Florida citrus. But that was before canker and citrus greening doused the harvest and hopes of Florida growers. Compare those numbers with our upcoming season, which is expected to yield an estimated 52 million boxes, and the reality sets in.
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863-635-1948 •info@rucksnursery.com P.O. Box 1318 Frostproof, FL 33843 • www.ruckscitrusnursery.com www.floridagrownspecialties.com
CFAN | 5
Columns 5 WAS THE SECRET TO SAVING CITRUS TREES JUST UNLOCKED?
15 CATTLE ROUNDUP IS BOTH TRADITION AND CHALLENGE
10 KNOW THE GRASS IN YOUR GRASS-FED CATTLE’S DIET
16 PLAY THE LONG GAME
Trifoliate orange and its hybrids have been widely utilized as rootstocks in citrus production. They accounted for 82% of the top 20 rootstocks used in the 2018-2019 citrus propagation cycle. Trifoliate orange and its hybrids possess genes that can provide a high level of tolerance to citrus greening and resistance to Asian citrus psyllids.
Forages grown for livestock production can vary greatly in nutritive values, depending upon factors such as field management, and when the forage is grazed or harvested. For those who would prefer their cattle consuming exclusively grass and forage, here is some guidance to help maintain adequate gains until the animals reach maturity.
11 PROTECT YOUR HORSES FROM RABIES
Rabies is a deadly virus spread through the bite of an infected mammal such as a bat or other wildlife. Rabies infections will lead to death within a few days of symptoms being detected in an animal and pose a serious risk to you and your family. Although rabies infection in horses is uncommon, it does happen and is a very serious concern.
This week, we witnessed the wonderful Florida tradition of a cattle roundup, complete with the cracking of whips and the barking of dogs as the cowboys went into the swampy woods and brought out this year’s crop of calves. When those calves go to market, it’s American free enterprise at its best.
The ever-widening economic ripples that the pandemic caused continue to hit all sectors of the economy, including at Adams Cold Storage. Wait times and expenses are soaring, so where’s the silver lining? It’s all a great reminder that much of life is about holding on and playing the long game.
22 RESEARCH DELVES INTO USE OF KAOLIN CLAY AGAINST GREENING
A recent webinar looked at the results of current research into the benefits of kaolin clay in fighting citrus greening. UF/ IFAS’s Christopher Vincent and the University of California at Riverside’s Monique Rivera teamed up to host the webinar on using kaolin to fight both citrus greening and Asian citrus psyllids, the vector that spreads citrus greening. They shared the results so far from their ongoing research into the use of kaolin clay.
With every generation, we get better at protecting our environment.
Reclamation ecologists like Ashlee work to return mined lands to productive use as wildlife habitats, public parks and more—so future generations can enjoy these lands for years to come.
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®
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Polk Polk County County Farm Farm Bureau Bureau Protecting & Promoting Protecting & Promoting Polk Agriculture since 1942 Polk Agriculture since 1942 www.pcfb.org www.pcfb.org
Phone: Phone: 863.533.0561 863.533.0561
Member Member Services Services
p r e s i d e n t ’s c o l u m n
Carole McKenzie Carole McKenzie Executive Director Executive Director
Lori Kuehl Lori Kuehl Program Coordinator Program Coordinator
2020-2021 2020-2021 Board Board of of Directors Directors
Dean Evans Dean Evans President President Leigh Ann Wynn Leigh Ann Wynn Vice-President Vice-President Kevin M. Updike Kevin M. Updike Past President Past President Corby Myers Corby Myers Treasurer Treasurer Michael Matteson Michael Matteson Secretary Secretary Brett Costine Brett Costine YF&R Chair YF&R Chair
Larry Black Larry Black Charles Counter Charles Counter Kenny DeVane Kenny DeVane Leslie W. Dunson, III Leslie W. Dunson, III Ellis Hunt, Jr. Ellis Hunt, Jr. Scarlett Jackson Scarlett Jackson Jack James, Jr. Jack James, Jr. Nelson Kirkland Nelson Kirkland Daniel Lanier Daniel Lanier Ed Lassiter Ed Lassiter David Lawson, Jr. David Lawson, Jr. Christian P. Spinosa Christian P. Spinosa Kyle Story Kyle Story Matt Story Matt Story John W. Strang John W. Strang Keith Walter Keith Walter
We held our 79th Annual Polk County Farm Bureau Membership Meeting virtually on Thursday, October 7, and appreciate those who were able to join us for the online event. We’d like to say a special thank you to the following event sponsors:
Location Location
1715 U.S. Hwy 17 South 1715 U.S. Hwy 17 South Bartow, FL 33830 Bartow, FL 33830
Offi Office ce Hours Hours
Monday-Friday Monday-Friday 9 9 a.m. a.m. to to 5 5 p.m. p.m.
Jimmy Jimmy Williams Williams Agency Agency Manager Manager
Get your tickets now for your chance to win a NEW JOHN DEERE 560E GATOR! We will be conducting this fundraising drive now through May 2022 and only 1,000 tickets will be sold. Proceeds will benefit our ag education and youth programs, and you will not need to be present to win. Tickets are $20 each, or 6 tickets for $100. To purchase tickets visit https://secure.qgiv.com/for/jd5gdd/event/838848/ or scan the QR code below from your smartphone to go directly to the ticket purchase site, or you can also contact the Bartow office at 863-533-0561.
Bartow Bartow Offi Office ce Agents Agents Phone: 863.533.0561 Phone: 863.533.0561 James James L. L. Moser, Moser, Jr. Jr. Jimmy Jimmy Williams Williams
Haines Haines City City Offi Office ce Agent Agent 203 203 S S Dixie Dixie Drive Drive Phone: Phone: 863.421.4545 863.421.4545 Rhonda Rhonda Ambrose Ambrose Winter Winter Haven Haven Offi Office ce Agents Agents 3039 Cypress Gardens 3039 Cypress Gardens Road Road Phone: Phone: 863.299.3892 863.299.3892 Barry Barry Walker Walker Jason Jason Yates Yates
Finally, my term as president will conclude in October and this will be my last Central Florida Ag News column as president. I would like to say what an honor it has been to serve as president of such an active and engaged county farm bureau membership.
Sincerely,
Calling Calling from from Lake Lake Wales Wales 863.676.3187 863.676.3187
FloridaAgNews.com
DEAN T. EVANS President, Polk County Farm Bureau CFAN | 7
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Copyright © 2021 Central Florida Media Group. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This issue of Florida AgNews is a trademark of Central Florida Media Group. Reproduction or use in whole or in part of the contents of this magazine without written permission is prohibited. Florida AgNews makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of content published. In the event of an error found herein, however, neither the publishers nor advertisers will be held responsible, nor do the publishers accept any liability for the accuracy of statements made by advertisers in advertising and promotional materials.
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SIGNS of the SEASON Florida Citrus Far From Its Heyday, but Far From Irrelevant by ERIKA ALDRICH Sponsored by Farm Credit of Central Florida
WHEN IT COMES TO NAMING the lifeblood of the Florida agriculture industry, there’s a good case to be made for it being citrus. Historically, the Sunshine State and citrus have been nearly synonymous. However, as a new season is poised to begin, the Florida citrus industry is under duress. The scourge of citrus greening, or Huanglongbing (HLB), continues to take a toll on each year’s total harvest numbers, and other pests and diseases like postbloom fruit drop (PFD), phytophthora root rot disease, black spot, and more all pose problems for citrus growers as well. Furthermore, issues like competition from imported fruit and meeting the USDA’s Brix level requirements for pasteurized orange juice all create challenges for Florida citrus. However, the Florida citrus industry is not one to back down from a fight, and promising research into combating citrus greening and other challenges is constantly in the news. Take a look at the Florida citrus industry on the cusp of the 2021-2022 growing season.
that Florida saw 350,900 acres of harvested oranges, 21,700 acres of grapefruit, and 7,900 acres of tangerines in 2020. Between processed and fresh market oranges, Florida growers produced 3.03 million tons of oranges, which had a production value of $837 million dollars. Grapefruit’s 206,000 tons had a production value of $66.4 million, and tangerine’s 48,000 tons were valued at $26 million.
Citrus by the Numbers The 2019-2020 crop year saw a total all-citrus production of 73.2 million boxes, which was a decrease of 5 percent over the prior harvest year. The total orange production for the 2019-2020 harvest year was 67.3 million boxes. In early October 2020, the USDA forecast the 2020-2021 citrus season to see 62.6 million boxes of citrus, broken down into 57 million boxes of citrus, 4.5 million boxes of grapefruit, and 1.1 million boxes of tangelos and tangerines. The season all-citrus total ended with 57.7 million boxes of citrus, which was comprised of 52.8 million boxes of oranges—22.7 million boxes of non-Valencia oranges and 30.1 million boxes of Valencia oranges—4.1 million boxes of grapefruit and 890,000 boxes of tangelos and tangerines. The first official USDA citrus forecast for the 2021-2022 season for Florida is slated for Tuesday, October 12. The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) maintained
Hope for the Future While the Florida citrus industry is in the thick of it, there are many promising developments on the horizon. Researchers with UF/IFAS continue to work on breeding an HLB-resistant or HLB-tolerant variety, even going as far as resurrecting a once-popular early-season orange variety, Parson Brown. Citrus groups are advocating for “enforcement discretion” to lower Brix requirements from 10.5 to 10.0, and UF/IFAS researchers are investigating the advantages of blending Sugar Belle mandarin juice with traditional orange juice. Furthermore, the research into promising treatments and cures like gibberellic acid, kaolin clay, endophytic citrus microbes, cover crops, using the RNA of citrus yellow vein disease, and the use of citrus peptides—just to name a few—is intense and ongoing. ag
FloridaAgNews.com
A Forecast of Caution Florida’s citrus harvest totals have continued to drop, year after year. UF/ IFAS professor emeritus and leading citrus economist Tom Spreen forecast in August 2021 that under best-case scenarios, orange production would not surpass the 2020-21 season level until after the 2028-29 season if growers don’t replant more aggressively than the current 80% rate of replacing lost trees.
CFAN | 9
KNOW THE GRASS IN YOUR GRASS-FED CATTLE’S DIET CONSUMER INTEREST IN GRASS-FED CATTLE continues to grow, in no small part due to the perception that grass-fed beef is a higher quality product. This perception covers both the animals’ quality of life as well as the quality of the product purchased. Despite this interest, the overwhelming majority of cattle in the United States are still finished on grain, meaning that the animals are fed grain in addition to or instead of their grazing stock for the last 160 to 180 days of life (roughly 25-30 percent of their life). The pervasiveness of this practice is likely traceable to research dating back nearly 200 years, which indicates that, as cattle mature, they become less able to convert grass feed into muscle as they age. Cattle are finished on grain to help counteract this effect and continue the animal’s growth throughout their life. However, for those who would prefer their cattle consuming exclusively grass and forage, there is some guidance to help maintain adequate gains (approximately 2.0-2.5 pounds per day) until the animals reach maturity. The greatest average daily gains in grass-finished cattle can be expected when the forage provided is more than 65% digestible and supplies: • between 14 to 18% crude protein (CP), • more than 20% dry matter (DM), and • more than 20% water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC). Forages grown for livestock production can vary greatly in nutritive values, depending upon factors such as field management, and when the forage is grazed or harvested. For example, forage has the highest nutritive value while still in the vegetative stage. If the forage progresses to the reproductive stage and begins to seed, the quality of the forage declines rapidly. Additionally, at no point should the cattle be restricted in their intake of forage. Overgrazed forage fields will not only limit the daily gains of the animals, but also could lead to decreased long term productivity for the pasture as well. With all of this in mind, know that grass-finishing beef if possible, with sufficient effort and oversight. And with growing consumer demand and proven health benefits of grass-fed beef, this is a worthwhile investment for ranchers. by BAXTER TROUTMAN This column is sponsored by Labor Solutions, and the opinions expressed herein may not reflect those of CFAN or of its advertisers. BIO: Baxter Troutman is founder and chief executive officer of Labor Solutions, a staffing company with offices in Bartow, Winter Haven, Lake Wales, Arcadia, and Plant City. You also can visit his Dark Hammock Legacy Ranch online at www.DH-LR.com. A cattle rancher and citrus grower who served in the Florida House of Representatives, Troutman understands the challenges and concerns of today’s farmer.
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FEATURE | p e o p l e
New Highlands Extension Agent Lourdes Pérez Cordero Brings Her Knowledge of Entomology to the Team
L
by RUTH BORGER, UF/IFAS correspondent
LOURDES PÉREZ CORDERO did not grow up in a citrus growing family, but you wouldn’t know that after meeting her. Pérez, who recently started her position as the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Science Extension agent for Highlands County, is eager and enthusiastic to engage with local citrus and vegetable growers and connect them to the resources available from UF specialists working in the area. Originally from Puerto Rico, Pérez Cordero is completing her master’s degree in entomology with UF and expects to graduate in spring 2022. Pérez Cordero also holds a bachelor’s degree from the College of Agricultural and Food Sciences at Florida A&M University. She most recently worked with Dr. Lauren Diepenbrock’s lab at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center. There she worked on management strategies for the Asian citrus psyllid, especially in field settings. She has also served as a biological aid for USDA Agricultural Research Service working on whitefly management and gaining knowledge of the Florida predatory stink bug. “I was drawn to this position because of its work with growers and the community,” says
Pérez Cordero. “When I first learned about Extension and its role in local agriculture, I thought what a great job that would be and now I have the opportunity to do that every day.” Pérez Cordero is jumping into the role and quickly learning more about Highlands County and its agricultural challenges. She has already started to meet with growers and is setting up her outreach and informational activities. She will work collaboratively with the other regional citrus and natural resources Extension agents in providing needed educational information to area growers. She encourages growers to contact her at the UF/ IFAS Extension Highlands County offices in Sebring and at lperezcordero@ufl.edu. ag FloridaAgNews.com
FEATURE | c i t r u s
PROTECT YOUR HORSES FROM RABIES
Advances Against Greening
Fungal Pathogen Effective Control for Insect Associated With Citrus Greening by ROBIN KOESTOYO, UF/IFAS correspondent
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THE ASIAN CITRUS PSYLLID transmits the bacterium associated with the most serious citrus disease worldwide — and now it has a formidable enemy in a fungal pathogen. The disease is citrus greening — the citrus industry at its zenith was spread across about 950,000 Florida acres. Citrus greening reduced it to today’s approximate 400,000 acres. The fungus is Cordyceps javanica, strain Apopka, discovered by research scientist Lance Osborne in the mid-1980s. The fungus was isolated from dead insects on plants in a greenhouse at the University of Florida Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka. Spores of Cordyceps javanica spores grow in beadlike strands across citrus leaves, attaching themselves to the psyllid body, germinating, and infecting the psyllids, effectively lowering pest numbers by up to 90%. The fungus sustains itself and its impact on the psyllids for two full weeks after its application. Scientists at two UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Science (UF/ IFAS) research centers published their findings in the Sept. 14 issue of Insects, a peer-reviewed science journal. “Growers must control the psyllid to produce fresh fruit,” says Pasco Avery, a UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC) scientist in Fort Pierce. “What the growers need is an integrated pest management program to mitigate the psyllid populations, minimize the input of non-selective insecticides, and preserve
PASCO AVERY
the lady beetles, lacewings, and parasitic wasps that are the psyllid’s natural enemies.” The adult Asian citrus psyllid is attracted to volatiles that the citrus trees release while they are in “flush” or when new leaves on branches emerge. Psyllids land on the new citrus flush, and while feeding, insert the citrus greeningassociated bacterium into the tree’s phloem. Avery said the psyllid develops resistance to synthetic broad-spectrum chemical insecticides, and therefore, an integrative pest management program is requisite. Scientists can employ a combination of tools such as the fungus C. javanica, along with the psyllid’s natural enemies to protect the trees. CONTINUED ON PAGE 30
FloridaAgNews.com
RABIES IS A DEADLY VIRUS spread through the bite of an infected mammal such as a bat or other wildlife. Rabies infections will lead to death within a few days of symptoms being detected in an animal and pose a serious risk to you and your family. Although rabies infection in horses is uncommon, it does happen and is a very serious concern. There is no treatment for rabies, so prevention is the only way to keep you and your horses protected. Rabies vaccinations have been used in horses for years and are a safe and effective way to fight this dangerous disease. With Polk County receiving rabies alerts from the Florida Department of Health in July and August, the time is more important now than ever to get educated about rabies and ensure your horses are up-to-date on their vaccination status. Consult with your veterinarian for specific guidance regarding vaccination timelines and boosters for your horses. CONTRACTING RABIES. Rabies has been mostly eliminated in domestic animals in the United States, but can be hard to control due to wild animal exposure. Horses that live outside 24 hours a day are at a greater risk for rabies, but the disease is still fairly uncommon. It affects between 30 and 60 horses per year and is contracted by passing the rabies virus into an open wound or mucous membrane. At the time of publication, the recent rabies alerts for Polk County indicate two foxes and 1 bat have tested positive for the disease. SYMPTOMS. This disease in horses is not necessarily easy to diagnose, as the symptoms can be confusing and nonspecific. Typical symptoms can include colic, obscure lameness, paralysis, tremors, fever, depression and aggression, but could also appear as a lack of eating or drinking and teeth grinding. TREATMENT. Once infected, it is possible for the horse to take up to six months to show symptoms. This is not usually the case, however, as most show symptoms within 2-6 weeks. Once clinical symptoms are present, however, the horse will typically die within three to five days. While vaccinations do not entirely prevent the disease, rabies is uniformly fatal in unvaccinated horses. Unvaccinated horses that have been exposed to the virus must be euthanized or be quarantined for six months. Vaccinated horses that have been bitten or exposed should immediately be given a rabies booster, followed by 45 days of observation. Now is the perfect time to check in with your veterinarian on your horses’ vaccination status. Take caution and protect against risks by DR. KATIE HENNESSY when you can. This column is sponsored by Polk Equine, and the opinions expressed herein may not reflect those of CFAN or of its advertisers. BIO: Dr. Katie Hennessy graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008 with a degree in large animal health and equine medicine. She completed an advanced internship at The Equine Medical Center of Ocala and is currently the owner and practicing veterinarian at Polk Equine. Her expertise ranges from small and exotic creatures to large animals, specializing in equine medicine.
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FEATURE | e d i t i o n
2021-2022 A Citrus Forecast
AS THE FLORIDA CITRUS INDUSTRY waits for the official 2021-2022 USDA Citrus Forecast Report to drop in mid-October, some of the growers think “the drop” may be one of the keys to the whole season.
Growers Cautiously Eye Weather, Drop Rate Heading Into New Season by TIM CRAIG
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The 2020-2021 season finished with 52.8 million boxes, a somewhat lower-than-expected result that was hindered by a significant late-season drop that led to a record drop rate: 43 percent for early- and mid-season oranges, 41 percent for Valencias — the highest recorded drop rates in a non-hurricane year. “We had a historically high drop rate last year that had an impact on last year’s crop,” says Larry Black from the Peace River Packing Company. “This year, if the weather is good through the fall and into spring, we should see a much-lower drop rate this season.” But the drop rate isn’t the only thing that will impact this year’s crop, says Black: There are fewer trees in production this year. “There are 3 percent fewer trees in production heading into the 2021-2022 growing season, so my initial expectation is that there will be fewer boxes,” he says. “However, the growing conditions have been ideal so far. We’ve had good weather and a compact bloom, so I’m hopeful the final yield will overcome that loss of trees.” While the official forecast is set for Oct. 12, private consultant Elizabeth Steger released her forecast on August 16, predicting 52 million boxes, which is slightly less than last year’s final numbers. Her forecast includes lower numbers of early- and mid-season oranges from last year (20.8 million, compared with 22.7 million last year), but higher numbers of Valencias (31.2 million, compared with 30.1 million last year). Florida Citrus Mutual CEO Mike Sparks says that Steger’s estimate of 52 million is generally in line with what he has heard from the growers he has visited. But, he says, it all could depend on the drop rate. “Last year, we looked like we might have been on the recovery, but when that fruit dropped, it ate up all of the growers’ profits,” he says. “So the big question on everyone’s mind heading into this year is: ‘What will be the drop?’” Sparks remains optimistic about the 2021-2022 season. He’s seen a more even bloom and the rainfall has been fairly good. He notes that while there may be less fruit, there could be larger pieces, which could balance things out. “I think we’re looking at a similar prediction to the previous year, around 55-57 boxes, but an estimate of 60 million will not surprise me,” he says. “We’re entering this next season with a lot of optimism, FloridaAgNews.com
mixed with just a little bit of pessimism. But you’ve got to live with the glass half full.” For Ray Royce, the president of the Highlands County Citrus Growers Association, Steger’s prediction is a little low, but he remains cautiously optimistic for the growers in his association. “The growers in Highlands County account for around 16 percent of the total for the state, and I am hopeful that we will be able to exceed our predicted levels,” he says. “The final crop will be determined, in part, by how big the drop is and if the amount of drop the USDA puts in their modeling will have an effect as well, so it’ll be interesting when the forecast gets released.” Steger’s forecast did take into account a lower drop rate, but it noted that it was something to keep in mind as the season progresses. “We do not know if last year’s lower drop was related to climatic conditions, greening, soil treatments or tree health,” she wrote. Heading into the season, though, Royce says the weather has been cooperating. “Obviously going into the main season we’ve seen some pretty good rain, and now we just need to get through the next five to six weeks without any tropical weather storms,” he says. “Then the next thing is to get through from mid-December to mid-February without any significant cold weather.” FloridaAgNews.com
We’re entering this next season with a lot of optimism, mixed with just a little bit of pessimism. But you’ve got to live with the glass half full. — FLORIDA CITRUS MUTUAL CEO MIKE SPARKS
For Vic Story of the Story Companies, the forecast is one prediction, but the main determinant for growers is a bit simpler: “Those growers that take good care of their groves are going to see a good crop,” he says. “Those that don’t will see a light crop.” These days, he’s seeing more groves going out and more groves that are unkempt, so he won’t be surprised if the forecast is in the high 40s. “I’ve been in the groves a lot recently, and the size is not impressive,” he says. “Even in the groves that look to have a good crop, the size isn’t there yet, and the trees seem to have a thinner inside leaf coverage.” Story notes that while the drop rate really af-
fected last year’s crop, the weather played a significant role. Last year was the coldest winter since greening, he said, and it was also the driest since greening. “Last year, there were groves that we had west of US 27 in the Fort Meade area that didn’t see a drop of rain for more than five weeks,” he says. So different climate conditions, as well as a lower drop rate, could bring the final count for 2021-2022 back up into the 50- to 52-million box range, he says. “I’m saying the high 40s, but I really do hope it’s more,” he says. “And I certainly hope I get my share of more.” ag
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FEATURE | e q u i n e
Inspired to Overcome Equine Therapy Program Reaches Teens, Adults With Disabilities On a New Level by PAUL CATALA
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THE CONNECTION BETWEEN HORSES and humans facilitates a bond that can help us overcome intense challenges. That’s why Inspire Equine Therapy Programs uses activities and interactions with horses to help teens and adults with disabilities, as well as veterans with disabilities. Located on 12 acres in southeastern Clearwater, Inspire averages more than 200 participants per year from across the Tampa Bay area, including about 100 U.S. veterans. Inspire helps participants cope with disabilities and life challenges such as trauma, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, anxiety and depression. Emotional benefits gained from the interactions include increased independence, motivation and self-control, as well as cognitive gains and improvements in self-esteem, balance, coordination and muscle tone. Inspire has multiple programs that include: • Adaptive riding • Driving • Agricultural job training • Freedom Heroes and Equines Program for veterans • Equine Assisted Learning Programs in Education and Personal Development
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• Stable memories for seniors • Equine Partners Program • Adaptive Equestrian Sports Some Inspire programs are fashioned through a partnership with Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International, a national equine-assisted therapy program. There are 400 standards with which Inspire must conform to maintain that partnership, all under the direction of Melissa Yarbrough. Yarbrough, Inspire founder and board-certified behavioral analyst, has been a PATH-certified riding instructor since 2001. Yarbrough founded Inspire in 2016 after working as a certified riding instructor for 20 years. She says it’s the only equine therapy program currently in Pinellas County and complements similar programs at Quantum Leap Farm in Odessa and Bakas Equestrian Center in Tampa. Yarbrough says it was her desire “to do it right” that drove her to open Inspire. “From the other programs I worked at, sometimes they cut corners. I just wanted to make sure I was doing it right for the horses and safe for the
clients and make sure it’s top-notch,” she explains. At the equine center, Yarbrough and her staff of five have seven draft breed horses available, purchased from across the U.S. With them, participants can learn basic riding skills, horse control, directions and grooming. Riding goals are set and riders continue to the next sessions as goals are met. They get progress reports, but “they’re constantly working on their skills,” says Yarbrough, 47. She began horseback riding at 5 years old in Chicago before moving to Florida in 1997. Participants mostly find out about Inspire through word-of-mouth or referrals from doctors or other agencies, and there is no limit on how long they can stay with the program. Ages generally range from 10 and older, with one recent participant being 101 years old. “Our participants can participate as long as FloridaAgNews.com
CATTLE ROUNDUP IS BOTH TRADITION AND CHALLENGE
they’re able to afford it and physically able to. The sessions can continue with priority, so there’s usually a waitlist because once people are in, they stay,” Yarbrough says. Programs run in two sessions: September to December and January to June. Participants start one before continuing to the next session. At the center, CDC-recommended covid guidelines are followed but since courses are outdoors, masks aren’t currently required. Yarbrough says the idea is for Inspire to provide the instruction and encouragement for participants to achieve on or off horseback. She says it’s the look on faces that is often the biggest payoff. “Mostly, it’s the smiling faces and accomplishments the participants are making, what FloridaAgNews.com
goals they’re meeting, seeing them strive to achieve and how much fun they’re having,” she says, “It’s also how their everyday lives are getting better because of it.” While she’s pleased with what Inspire has achieved, Yarbrough says she would like to expand her riding herd by three horses and get a truck donated to move additional horse trailers. Inspire Equine Therapy Program will be holding its 5th Annual Boot Scootin’ Barn Dance from 6:30-10:30 p.m. on Nov. 19. It will include music by Nashville recording artist The Angie Rey Project, food by Bay Star Catering, a silent and live auction, dancing and the Inspire horses. For information, see www.inspireequinetherapyprogram.org. ag
IF YOU COULD HAVE BEEN IN THE PASTURE with us this week, you would have been able to experience the wonderful Florida tradition of a cattle roundup, complete with the cracking of whips and the barking of dogs as the cowboys went into the swampy woods and brought out this year’s crop of calves. These cowboys are not what you see on television; they are real. They take their life in their hands every time they climb on their horses and head into the swamps to move these cattle out into the pens. You have to admire their courage and the skill that they have perfected in handling these cattle. It gives a little more meaning to that ribeye steak when I settle down at my favorite restaurant. I appreciate how it got there. Effort matters. So now that the cattle are on the trucks, what happens? They are sold at auction, either at a local auction facility or on television. Either way, the price is determined by auction. Here is the part I would like to explain to you, the reader. This calf is sold for whatever the buyers are willing to pay. No minimums, no set price, no established floor that might be obtained, no government guarantee of profit. This is American free enterprise. The return on their investment is below the poverty line. They don’t do it for the money. They could make more money in Washington as a janitor than they make on the ranching operation. They do it because it’s a way of life. This nation is changing; the value of the land and the cost of ranching are in the crosshairs. The current operational costs alone cannot justify raising cattle, but as long as the challenge is there and families fight to hold on to family farms and ranches, they rise to the challenge. We can be assured there will be a rancher and a cowboy with his horse and dog ready for next year’s roundup. God Bless them, every one of them! See you at the next auction!
by MARTY HIGGENBOTHAM This column is sponsored by Higgenbotham Auctioneers International, Ltd., and the opinions expressed herein may not reflect those of CFAN or of its advertisers. BIO: Marty Higgenbotham, founder and president of Higgenbotham Auctioneers International, Ltd., has conducted approximately 12,000 auctions, selling everything from cemetery lots to shopping centers and everything in between. He graduated from Reisch Auction College in 1959. Since then, he has sold in 49 states and five foreign countries. Clients include Wal-Mart, Albertson, Sinclair, AutoZone, HUD, and the states of Kansas, Missouri, Texas and Florida, to name a few. He lives with his wife in Lakeland.
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PLAY THE LONG GAME ANYONE ELSE TRIED to get a forklift lately? If not, let me tell you: It can be an eye-opening experience. Ordering the forklift is no problem. Getting it requires a bit of patience. Eighteen months of patience to be exact. Remember the days when we used to worry about seeing enough toilet paper on store shelves? And if it wasn’t there, we found ourselves having to go to a different store? Those were the days, huh? But these are different days. At the risk of stating the obvious, the everwidening economic ripples that the pandemic caused continue to hit all sectors of the economy, including here at ACS. Tried to hire a commercial plumber lately? It’ll probably take three days. Looking for a CHEP pallet? They ran out, and now they are hard to find. Buying regular wooden pallets? Expect to pay two to three times as much. We have a customer who last year shipped a container of seafood to our facility from Asia. It cost $5,000. This year, that same load would be $30,000 and take three months. It’s no wonder that large companies like Costco are buying their own ships and shipping containers. A story in The New York Times on September 29 said pandemic-related shutdowns of factories in Vietnam will affect the apparel and footwear industries. CNBC reported in early September that paint is the next thing that is becoming costlier and harder to find. Shortages lead to higher prices. Higher prices cause inflation. Inflation pushes some companies out, which can lead to shortages. The cycle continues until, inevitably, it starts to feel like the 1970s. When the leisure suits start hitting the racks, that’s when we should really worry. So where’s the silver lining? Other than crossing off “painting” from the “honey-do” list, it may be hard to see. However, it’s good to keep in mind that much of life is about holding on and playing the long game. Prices rise sharply, then slowly settle. Markets shrink, but they can also grow. Leisure suits fall out of favor. We continue to take one step forward and, sometimes, a couple of steps back. And, for now at least, we seemed to shore up the toilet paper infrastructure. That was a good step forward. Now, let’s work to by BEN ADAMS, JR. find another one. This column is sponsored by Adams Cold Storage, LLC, and the opinions expressed herein may not reflect those of CFAN or of its advertisers. BIO: Ben Adams, Jr. is an owner and president of Adams Cold Storage, LLC, in Auburndale. He has been directly involved in citrus production, warehousing and distribution, as well as state and community support, since 1980. His facility incorporates some 250,000 square feet of multitemperature warehousing, and is AA rated by BRCGS.
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FROM THE DESK OF
Dr. Angle
Scott Angle is the University of Florida’s Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources and leader of the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).
J. Scott Angle jangle@ufl.edu @IFAS_VP
Florida Ag Expo to Bring Cutting-Edge Science to Growers THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Gulf Coast Research and Education Center is your center. It exists to serve you. So you’re always invited. Please visit on Nov. 18. It’s when Florida Ag Expo returns after a COVID-19 interruption last year. I plan to be there, and I want to meet you. Outreach is an essential element of cutting-edge science. It means sharing with growers what we discover. The Ag Expo is one-stop shopping for a whole panoply of science at one time. Gulf Coast REC is among the Gary Vallad, professor of Plant Pathology at UF/IFAS Gulf most cutting-edge units in UF/IFAS. Coast Research and Education Center, speaks at a previous Many things that will happen in Florida Ag Expo. photo by TYLER JONES (UF/IFAS) coming years will happen here first. The Ag Expo is an update from that cutting edge. Here’s how I’ll help GCREC keep on the cutting edge: • Artificial intelligence. I have approved two AI-related positions for Gulf Coast REC, one dedicated to mechanical harvesting, precision ag and robotics, and another focused on turbocharging our already outstanding plant breeding team. • Hands-on learning. Through the Vice President’s Promise, I have pledged that all UF/IFAS College of Agricultural and Life Sciences undergraduates will have the opportunity for at least one meaningful beyond-the-classroom learning experience. That could be undergraduate research, internships, study abroad, professional conferences, and more. All our students at Plant City will have access to expanded and enriched real-world learning experiences. • Saving citrus. Every day I am working to ensure that Florida remains a citrus powerhouse for decades to come. We have learned more about HLB in the past decade than the rest of the world did in the previous century. Our advances in nutrition, for example, have kept infected trees productive, and some of the cultivars we’ve developed and are developing show great promise for HLB tolerance. We will deliver more solutions to provide for a future for Florida citrus. • Alternative crops. Diversification is essential for the future of agriculture in a state buffeted by climate change, urbanization, pests and disease, global competition, labor shortages and more. At Gulf Coast REC, we are researching whether we can make Florida a hops-growing state so our craft breweries can serve a home-grown product! The Expo will feature an alternative crops field tour. • Inclusion, diversity, equity and access. At my request, all my department heads and center directors devised plans for how to increase diversity in their section of UF/IFAS. This will directly benefit Florida growers because it will improve the quality of our science. Innovation comes from diversity of thought, and diversity of thought comes from diversity of people. As a result, we’ll have more ways of thinking about and solving the challenges you face in the field, on the ranch or in the grove. • Updating BMPs. Some fertilizer recommendations are being applied to varieties of fruits and vegetables and to farming techniques that did not exist when UF/IFAS first did the research. CONTINUED ON PAGE 30 FloridaAgNews.com
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FloridaAgNews.com
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FEATURE | e d u c a t i o n
Embracing Her Role
Intermediate Florida Beef Ambassador Excited to Share Her Passion
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by TERESA SCHIFFER
IT’S ONLY NATURAL that 13-year-old Reagan Hancock of Levy County would be named this year’s Intermediate Florida Beef Ambassador. After all, her mother grew up on a farm, Reagan has been active in 4-H since kindergarten, and she has been showing beef cattle since she was just 8 years old. This young lady knows more than a little bit about beef and the Florida cattle industry, and she can’t wait to share her knowledge with the world.
ANGELA NORTON PHOTOGRAPHY
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Reagan isn’t the first in her family to walk the agricultural trail. Her older brother was a member of 4-H before she was, which opened the door for her own involvement. The Williston MiddleHigh School student is now in eighth grade and is currently serving as secretary in the school’s FFA chapter. She has been involved with the Future Farmers of America organization for the past three years. “Showing cows has always been one of my strongest passions,” Reagan says. She started out by showing dairy cows with 4-H when she was in kindergarten. Once she reached fourth grade, Reagan was finally old enough to begin competing in the county shows. Within a year, she was traveling throughout Florida to show beef cattle and soon began raising her own cattle. Her family’s farm now raises beef cattle, thanks to Reagan, some dairy cows, plus chickens, rabbits, and dogs. Reagan is also raising a goldendoodle as a therapy dog for her FFA SAE (supervised agricultural experience). She plans on incorporating the goldendoodle into her public outreach work with the Florida Cattlewomen’s Association. Reagan describes the activities she has planned with the Cattlewomen: “We’re going to go to different schools to educate today’s youth about Florida beef. My dog would go with me and we would go to a school and they would read books about the beef industry to hopefully get them more interested in it, and maybe they’ll learn some more things along the way.” Earlier this year, Reagan took part in the Florida State Fair’s Youth Steer Show Program. The young people who participate in the program are first instructed in the ethics of raising animals, then given the opportunity to choose a project animal
from local stock supplied by area ranchers. The students care for their chosen animals for about six months. They spend that time feeding, grooming, and breaking the animals, while also taking written tests and creating educational materials demonstrating their knowledge of various aspects of animal care. After the care period, students show the livestock they’ve invested in at the Florida State Fair, where it is judged on the condition and showing of the animals. Most participants will earn some profit when the animals are sold, and there are multiple scholarships for which the students will be eligible through their participation in the program. Champions even receive cash prizes. Reagan acquired a calf from Jones Potato Farm in Duette to raise through the Youth Steer Show Program. She won the award for Intermediate Showmanship. The folks at the Jones Farm provided invaluable assistance to Reagan throughout the process, for which she is very thankful. As the Intermediate Florida Beef Ambassador, Reagan is excited about getting the chance to share her passion for Florida beef with others. “My goal this year is to promote Florida beef and to educate the public, so I’ll be informing people mostly about a sustainable beef industry, talking about the differences in prices, quality and origin, and giving people some fun recipes to try with the meat cut they’re most interested in,” she says. Reaching out to her peers is something that Reagan places a particularly high priority on. “What I really want to focus on is informing today’s youth,” she says. “Our generation is slowly drifting away from agriculture, and I encourage my young fellows to do some research and to learn more about the everyday aspects of the beef industry.” ag FloridaAgNews.com
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AgriNEWS Fall a Great Time to Grow and Eat Your Own Strawberries by BRAD BUCK, UF/IFAS correspondent
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WHILE FLORIDA IS KNOWN as the winter strawberry capital of the world, you can plant strawberries at home now. Yes, fall is officially here – even if the temperatures don’t always match the calendar date. That means the air is soon going to get a little drier and maybe a tad cooler in much of Florida. Specifically, the temperature should be between 50 and 80 degrees for best strawberry growth. Vance Whitaker, a strawberry breeder at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, coauthored a newly revised UF/IFAS Extension document that gives tips on how to plant and grow strawberries at home, including suggestions for fertilizer, pest control, harvesting and storage. “It’s important to remember that strawberries grow best during the winter in Florida,” says Whitaker, an associate professor of horticultural sciences. “In Central Florida and West-Central Florida, gardeners should plant them in mid- to late-October and they will start fruiting in late November or December.” If you live in North Florida, where it’s getting a bit chillier, you can start planting now, Whitaker says. But the time to plant homegrown strawberries varies widely, depending on where you are in Florida. Gardeners should time their planting to mirror the local commercial growers’ planting schedule. Among the recommendations from UF/IFAS experts: • Plant “Florida Brilliance” and Sweet Sensation™ (“‘Florida 127”), both bred by UF/IFAS, in Central Florida, and consider trying “Camarosa” in North Florida. These varieties produce attractive, flavorful berries suitable for eating fresh or for freezing. They
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courtesy, UF/IFAS photography
produce one to two pints of fruit per plant per season. • Grow where the plants can get at least eight hours of direct sunlight per day. If that’s not possible, pick a spot that’s sunny in the morning and early afternoon. • Pile the soil into raised beds for best growth. • If the temperatures are going to dip below 32 degrees, cover the plants with sheets or blankets — the same advice meteorologists give you when freezing weather is nearing. Garden-grown strawberries will taste just as delightful as those you buy at the grocery store, Whitaker says. That’s because you’re planting largely the same varieties as commercial growers. “But because the home gardener can eat the
fruit right away, they can let the fruit get riper before harvesting, which will enhance the flavor,” Whitaker says. Wendy Wilber, statewide coordinator for the UF/IFAS Master Gardener Volunteer program, offers these tips for a successful strawberry garden: • Select the most appropriate varieties • Get healthy plants • Make sure the plants get plenty of sunshine • Use moist soil and appropriate fertilizer • Keep the birds away Whitaker adds a final piece of advice: “Spend plenty of time in your garden; strawberries need a lot of TLC. Seek the help of your county Extension agents as questions arise.” ag FloridaAgNews.com
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RESEARCH DELVES INTO USE OF KAOLIN CLAY AGAINST GREENING A RECENT WEBINAR that was a joint effort by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and the University of California looked at the results of current research into the benefits of kaolin clay in fighting citrus greening. UF/IFAS’s Christopher Vincent and the University of California at Riverside’s Monique Rivera teamed up to host the webinar on using kaolin to fight both citrus greening and Asian citrus psyllids, the vector that spreads citrus greening. They shared the results so far from their ongoing research into the use of kaolin clay.
Research Results for Kaolin Clay
Vincent maintained that kaolin clay is a mixture of clay particles suspended in water. The mixture is sprayed on citrus tree leaves to completely cover them in the film. The mixture reflects light, shades the tree, redistributes sunshine throughout the canopy, reduces sunburn, and essentially masks the leaves—especially during times of flush—from Asian citrus psyllids looking to feed on the leaves. Research is ongoing for both white kaolin clay, which is commercially available to Florida citrus growers, and red kaolin, which is not. Vincent and Rivera maintained the research has shown that kaolin clay deters Asian citrus psyllids from feeding on citrus trees, delays citrus greening infection, improves tree growth and yield, improves water use efficiency, reduces sunburn, improves leaf water status, and mitigates water deficits. While white kaolin is available commercially to growers, the research has shown that it is not as effective as red kaolin. Researchers have found that white kaolin does not hold up as well as red kaolin during periods of rain, and that it would more than likely need to be reapplied more often than red kaolin. Red kaolin simply has a red dye added to the clay mixture. Research has shown that red kaolin is more effective at managing Asian citrus psyllid populations and citrus greening, has a greater benefit in improving growth and improves water use efficiency in addition to being a superior product when it comes to rain fastness. The researchers maintained that while kaolin clay does deter Asian citrus psyllids from feeding and delays citrus greening infection, it does not offer protection forever. All of the citrus trees in the research were infected with citrus greening after two years. However, kaolin clay could be used to extend the time a citrus tree is free from infection, such as after Individual Protective Covers (IPCs) are removed, giving citrus trees that much more time to grow and be productive.
by MIKE ROBERTS
This column is sponsored by Griffin Fertilizer Co., and the opinions expressed herein may not reflect those of CFAN or of its advertisers. BIO: Mike Roberts is the Vice President of the Frostproof, Florida-based Griffin Fertilizer Co. Roberts joined the company in November 2011. He has spent the majority of his career in the fertilizer/agchem industry. Roberts earned a Bachelor of Science degree in citrus production from Florida Southern College in Lakeland. For more information, visit griffinfertilizer.com.
22 | CFAN
AGRISHOPPER SHOPPER Florida Life Hack: Use Crafts, Decor for a More Convincing Fall Feel by GRACE BOGGESS HIRDES
AH, FALL! The season of pumpkin spice, gorgeous foliage and cooler temperatures … unless you live in Central Florida. Here, we’ve got the pumpkin spice, but the rest is up to your imagination. It can be hard to get into the spirit of the changing season when temperatures are still in the 90s, so decorating will be key to creating the atmosphere you want. Here are some ideas to make it feel a little more like fall indoors in the cooler temperatures of your air conditioning.
1. P INECONE PROJECT If you don’t live somewhere where you can find pinecones in your neighborhood, try visiting a park in your area or Circle B Bar Reserve to collect some. After you’ve found the perfect pinecones, try painting them in a yellow, orange, and white pattern to make them look like candy corn or paint them a solid color and hang them on a string as garland. You can even spray them in a cinnamon spray to add a whiff of fall to your home.
2. A UTUMN IN A JAR Find one of your favorite vases and add a variety of acorns, pinecones and colorful leaves to create a beautiful centerpiece for your table. Check Central Avenue Antiques at 126 W. Central Ave. in Winter Haven for the perfect vase to set the mood.
3. FALL FARMHOUSE PITCHER Visit The Barn Antiques at 167 County Road 557A in Lake Alfred to find a rustic pitcher you can use as a table centerpiece.
4. P UMPKIN SUCCULENT CENTERPIECE Use a hollowed-out pumpkin as a vase. Scrape out the pulp, fill it with dirt and plant some succulents in it. This all-natural piece will make the perfect decoration for the season. Just remember that your masterpiece will have an expiration date because … well, Florida. You can find succulents at The Green House Garden Store located at 110 Easton Drive in Lakeland.
5. M UMS AND PUMPKINS You can also use pumpkins to plant your annual mums and add as a decoration to your front door. You can find mums at Kirby’s Nursery at 2311 S. Parsons Ave., in Seffner.
6. HOMEMADE WREATH Wreaths can literally be made out of almost anything from corn to burlap, leaves and even wheat stalks. Try searching Pinterest for ideas to help you create the perfect wreath for your home.
7. THROW PILLOWS Switching out your throw pillows in favor of some with warmer hues and thicker textures is one of the easiest (and cheapest) ways to instantly make your home feel more like fall. These pillows don’t need to be plaid with pumpkins, they can even be copper-hued pillows and velvet or woven textures can add a subtle fall feel to any space with very little effort or cost. Central Avenue Antiques has a variety of fall pillows.
8. TRADE YOUR GREENERY FOR SEASONAL FLOWERS Wreaths can literally be made out of almost anything from corn to burlap, leaves and even wheat stalks. Try searching Pinterest for ideas to help you create the perfect wreath for your home.
9. ANYTHING PUMPKIN Pumpkin anything can help you set the scene. Whether it’s a painted pumpkin, a carved pumpkin, or one as a centerpiece surrounded by leaves and ribbon. Walker’s Produce at 6320 US 98 S. in Bartow has a wide variety of pumpkins to choose from whether you want miniature, medium, or large.
10. ADD SCENT TO YOUR CRAFTS
You know when fall is in the air when you can get a smell of pumpkin spice, apples, cinnamon and vanilla. When creating any of the first nine crafts, incorporate these delicious scents, as well. You can add cinnamon sticks to your decorations or even create your own fallscented candles with orange peels, vanilla, or pumpkin spice fragrances. Don’t let the heat and humidity ruin your fall fun. Get busy creating your own seasonal sanctuary! ag
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a d i r o Fl
ag-rec e t a d Up
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
myfwc.com/news/all-news/otw-faq-921/
Stone Crab Harvest Season Opens October 15 RECREATIONAL FISHERS age 16 and older (including those normally exempt from needing a license) are required to complete an online, no-cost recreational stone and/or blue crab trap registration before using stone or blue crab traps. To register, visit GoOutdoorsFlorida.com and add the Recreational Stone Crab Trap Registration to your fishing license account. Upon completion, each person will receive unique trap registration numbers that must be included on each trap along with the owner’s full name and address. Registration numbers for stone crab traps will begin with the letter “S”; registration numbers for blue crab traps will begin with the letter “B.” This information must be legible and must be permanently attached to each trap. Harvesters younger than 16 are not required to register but still must mark their traps with their name and address.
Traps may be placed in the water 10 days prior to the opening of the season, but once placed, you may not tend to the traps until the start of the season, at which time you may begin harvesting.
Gear Requirements:
•L egal Gear: stone crab trap (max. 5 per person), dip or landing net • I llegal Gear: Any device that can puncture, crush or injure the crab body, such as spears, grains, grabs, hooks or similar devices.
Trap Specifications
Must be at least 2-7/8 inches
Regulations
Minimum Size Limit: 2 7/8 inches; only claws may be harvested Daily Bag Limit: 1 gallon of claws per person or 2 gallons per vessel, whichever is less Harvest from egg-bearing crabs is prohibited. State Waters Harvest Seasons: Open Oct. 15 - May 1 SHOWTIMES: Sat and&Sun Sat Sun Noon and 1 pm
• Maximum trap size is 24 inches by 24 inches by 24 inches or a volume of 8 cubic feet • Traps can be made from either wood, wire or plastic • The throat or entrance must be 5 ½ inches by 3 ½ inches • Throat must be no larger than 5 1/2 by 3 1/8 inches in Collier, Monroe and Miami-Dade • If the throat or entrance is round, it cannot exceed 5 inches in diameter • Round throats prohibited in Collier, Monroe and Miami-Dade counties • The trap must have a degradable panel that is 5 ½ inches by 3 ½ inches and is made of cypress or untreated pine slat no thicker than ¾ of an inch • NEW: A 2 3/16” escape ring will be required in all plastic and wood stone crab traps by
2023/2024 season. • Harvester’s name, address, and unique receational trap registration number must be permanently affixed to each trap and legible • The buoy must be no smaller than 6 inches and must be marked with a legible “R” that is at least 2 inches tall. • Buoys are not required if trap is fished from a dock. ag
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OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2021 OCTOBER 23 DOWNTOWN LAKELAND FARMERS CURB MARKET This vibrant, eclectic market brings the community together every Saturday in Downtown Lakeland with fresh, local produce, live plants, and a variety of hot foods and handcrafted wares. It is located on the 200 block of N Kentucky Ave in Lakeland from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. every Saturday (except in August) and is a production of the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority (LDDA). Learn more at www. downtownfarmerscurbmarket.org.
OCTOBER 1 – DECEMBER 12 SCOTT’S MAZE ADVENTURES 2021
OCTOBER 9 – 24 FOX SQUIRREL CORN MAZE
Can you find your way through the amazing, giant 6.5 acre corn maze? If that’s a bit much, try the half-acre mini corn maze! There are also night mazes, a mist maze, a labyrinth, zip lining for the kids, fishing, and so much more. General admission is $15, children age 3 and under are free. Scott’s Maze Adventures is located at 26216 County Road 448A in Mount Dora. Look for us online at www.longandscottfarms.com, or call (352) 3836900 if you have any questions.
This fantastic, family-friendly, annual event offers a host of fun activities, including pumpkin painting, horse and pony rides, and of course – the Fox Squirrel Corn Maze. Independent vendors offer a plethora of handmade crafts, clothing, and other interesting items for sale. Most vendors only accept cash, and there is no ATM on site. The festivities take place every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 3002 Charlie Taylor Rd N in Plant City. Entry is $11 plus tax for adults, $10 plus tax for kids aged 3 to 17, and free for little age 2 and under. Card-carrying heroes get $2 off their admission. For more information, please visit www.FoxSquirrelCornMaze.com.
OCTOBER 9 AND 23 NOVEMBER 6 AND 20 DOWNTOWN FARMER’S MARKET IN LAKE WALES
OCTOBER 16 HIGHLANDS COUNTY CATTLEMEN’S ORGANIZATION The Lake Wales Downtown Farmer’s Market is sponsored by Lake Wales Main Street and takes ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT place every other Saturday from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at 20 N Market St in Lake Wales. This producer-only market specializes in locally grown, pesticide-free produce and plants, baked goods, local honey, Florida grove pepper sauces, cheeses, awardwinning BBQ sauces and rubs, homemade jams and jellies, natural pet treats, plus a ton of crafts, clothing, and jewelry. For more information, you can contact Lynn Greenfield at (863) 676-8782 or visit www.lwmainstreet.com/farmers-market.
Get your team together for this fun event held at Pinecrest Golf Club, located at 2250 Little Lake Bonnet Rd in Avon Park. The Four-Man Scramble begins at 8:30 a.m., with registration opening at 7:30 a.m. It’s $75 for an individual player, or a four-person team can sponsor a hole for $400. A steak lunch will be provided, plus there will be door prizes! For more information, please contact Cole Russell at (863) 381-2964 or email cole@lpclp. com.
OCTOBER 23 36TH ANNUAL FALL GARDEN EXTRAVAGANZA The Garden Club of Lakeland, Inc. is thrilled to be hosting this much-anticipated garden sale in Munn Park, located at 210 E Main St in downtown Lakeland. Tons of gorgeous plants and flowers will be available for purchase, plus other gardenrelated crafts and products. Come out from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. to browse, shop, and enter some exciting drawings. Proceeds from this event will benefit the many beneficial programs of The Garden Club of Lakeland, Inc. For more information, search for “36 Fall Extravaganza” on Facebook.
OCTOBER 26 CITRUS NUTRITION DAY Learn how to extend the productivity of your disease-damaged citrus trees through proper nutrition. The half-day program will begin at 8:30 a.m. Lunch is sponsored by Harrell’s Fertilizer. There will be presentations on HLB nutrition research and field trials, strategies to improve nutrient uptake efficiency, and how to follow Best Management Practices (BMPs), and more. The programs will be held at Ben Hill Griffin, Jr. Hall at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center, 700 Experiment Station Rd in Lake Alfred. Please register by October 21 on www.eventbrite.com by searching for “Citrus Nutrition Day.”
compiled by TERESA SCHIFFER
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FloridaAgNews.com
CALENDAR NOVEMBER 6 ACS CATTLE BARON’S BOOTLEGGER’S BALL
OCTOBER 30 SATURDAY NIGHT RODEO This fun, family-friendly rodeo takes place every Saturday from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. at Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo, located at 3200 River Ranch Blvd in River Ranch. Enjoy the antics of cowpokes and bronco busters as they show off their skills trick riding, bull riding, calf roping, barrel racing, and more. Kids are invited into the rodeo arena toward the end of the night to participate in a real “calf scramble.” Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for children ages 5 – 12, and children ages 4 and under are free. For more information, please visitwestgateresorts.com.
OCTOBER 31 • BARN-O-WEEN This is going to be a “spooktacular” night for all you ghosts and ghouls! RVR Horse Rescue is hosting trick-ortreating at 1710 West St Rd 60 in Plant City from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. for just $10 per carload. A portion of the funds raised will be used for the costs of the horses in their care. Find more information online at www.RVRHorseRescue. org.
NOVEMBER 6 FALL FEST AT THE PLANT CITY COMMUNITY GARDEN Come enjoy this enchanting, free event from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Plant City Community & Botanical Garden, 2001 E Cherry St in Plant City, on the south side of the HCC Plant City campus. You’ll find holiday vendors, plants for sale, garden education, food vendors, fun activities for the kids, and more. Bring your Halloween pumpkins to compost in the exciting Punkin’ Chunkin’ Action Event! Children dressed in a garden-themed costume will receive a treat from the vendors. Check out the event on Facebook by searching for “Fall Fest at the Plant City Community Garden.”
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This distinguished fundraiser, presented by Southern Homes, is a chance to kick up your heels in 1920s style while supporting the American Cancer Society. Tickets are $100 per person. The party will be swinging with dancing, games, live and silent auctions, and fantastic food from 6 – 10 p.m. at 4641 Hancock Ave SE in Lakeland. For more information, please visit www.acsserlk.ejoinme. org/PolkCountyFL.
NOVEMBER 16 UF/IFAS CITRUS RESEARCH AND EDUCATION CENTER OPEN HOUSE/FIELD DAY
NOVEMBER 11 FREE SPEARFISHING SEMINAR Learn all about spearfishing tips, tricks, and upcoming trips from the best group around. You’ll have a chance to ask questions and try out new products. Beer, drinks, and snacks will be provided, plus a chance to win your own speargun! The seminar will take place from 6 – 8 p.m. at Off the Wall Adventures & Outfitters, located at 2055 Shepherd Rd in Lakeland. For more information, please contact Cassi Wolf at otwacassi@gmail.com.
Join us for panel discussions on tree health, interactive educational exhibits, fruit displays, field tours, and more from 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. at 700 Experiment Station Rd in Lake Alfred. You can register until November 9 online at www.crecfieldday21. eventbrite.com. For more information, please contact Jamie Burrow at (863) 956-8648 or email jdyates@ufl.edu.
NOVEMBER 13 SILVER PAWS SPCA FLORIDA AUCTION FOR ANIMALS Help raise funds to support the homeless animals of Polk County at this lovely plated dinner event. A Silent Auction will include over 500 items to bid on, plus there will be lively music, an exciting raffle, a live auction with Marty Higgenbotham, recognition of local heroes, and plenty of surprises. Event tickets are $125 each. The good times will go from 6 – 10 p.m. at The Hilton Garden Inn, located at 3839 Don Emerson Dr in Lakeland. To purchase tickets or a sponsorship, please go to www.spcaflorida.org/auction.
NOVEMBER 19 – 20 PLANT CITY PIG JAM You don’t want to miss this awesome Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS) sanctioned BBQ competition! Professionals and amateurs flock from all around the country to compete for $18,000 in prizes and bragging rights. There will also be live music, vendors, moon walks, and a rock climbing wall for the adventurous. Admission is free, parking is $10. Hours are 5 – 10 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday. This event will be held at Randy Larson Softball Fourplex, located at 1401 Gordon Food Service Dr in Plant City. You can find more information online at www.plantcitypigjam. com.
CFAN | 25
Recipe Spotlight Celebrate Stone Crab Season With Fresh Catches, Even Fresher Recipes by CAROL CORLEY
O
OF THE POPULAR SEAFOOD readily available here in Florida, stone crab takes the (crab)cake, if you will. At roughly $70 per pound for their claws, they’re a delicious delicacy. Their meat is prized for its sweet, buttery flavor that is ideal for a variety of cooking methods, including steaming, boiling, baking and grilling. Perhaps the best part about this delicacy is that stone crabs are uniquely sustainable thanks to their ability to regenerate harvested claws. Stone crab season runs from October 15 to May 1. So what can you make with your catch? We’ve got some ideas! ag
26 | CFAN
STEAMED STONE CRAB CLAWS WITH MELTED BUTTER (Adapted by saveur.com)
Ingredients Stone crab claws, 30 large, chilled and uncracked Butter, 1/2 stick Lemon, 1 cut into wedges taste. Generally heavier on the cinnamon.) Directions Set a steamer pot with water to boil over high heat, add uncracked claws to steamer basket, cover and steam for about 5 or up to 10 minutes, until thoroughly heated. Be careful to not overcook. Stay close because they are done once you smell the crab meat. While claws are steaming, melt butter in a small pan but don’t brown it. After it is melted, put it in a small serving bowl. Once claws are cooked, remove from steamer, crack shells, serve with lemon wedges and melted butter.
STONE CRAB WITH MUSTARD DIPPING SAUCE (Adapted from seriouseats.com)
Ingredients Stone crab claws, 25 pre-cooked and chilled Mayonnaise, 1 cup Horseradish, 1/4 cup prepared Dijon mustard, 1/4 cup Hot sauce of choice, to taste Lemon juice, 1-1/2 teaspoon fresh
Directions To make the sauce, whisk together all ingredients, except claws, until well combined. Pour sauce into a bowl on a large plate and attractively arrange pre-cooked stone crab claws around the outside.
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FRENCH FRIED STONE CRAB CLAWS
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(Adapted from cooks.com)
Ingredients Stone crab claws, 2 pounds Milk, 1/2 cup Eggs, 3 Salt and pepper to taste Flour, 3/4 cup all-purpose Bread crumbs, 3/4 cup dry Oil for deep frying
Directions Combine beaten eggs, milk, seasonings. Combine flour and crumbs. Take stone crab claws, crack and remove the outer shell but leave meat adhering to one side of the claw. Dip stone crab meat in egg mixture, roll in flour and crumb mixture. Fry claws for 3-5 minutes in oil heated to 350F, then drain on a paper towel.
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CURRIED STONE CRAB CLAWS WITH HOT MARMALADE DIP (Adapted from stonecrabflorida.com)
Ingredients Florida stone crab claws, 2-1/2 pounds Orange marmalade, 1/3 cup Florida key lime juice, 1/4 cup Soy sauce, 1/4 cup Garlic, 1 medium clove minced Cornstarch, 1 teaspoon Butter, 1/2 cup softened Curry powder, commercial or your own mix, 1 teaspoon
Directions Combine marmalade, key lime juice, soy sauce, garlic, cornstarch in a saucepan, mixing well. Cook, stirring constantly, on medium heat until sauce is thickened. Reduce heat and keep warm. Meanwhile, take crab claws that have been cracked, remove the outer shell leaving meat attached to the moveable pincer. Take a large saucepan and melt butter, stir in curry powder, add crab claws and cook for 2-3 minutes until heated through. Serve with hot marmalade-key lime sauce.
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CFAN | 27
In The Heartland
Highlands County
Ag-Venture Emphasizes the Importance of Farm-to-Table
D
by PAMELA PALONGUE
DESPITE OUR DEPENDENCE on the land, the concept of farm-to-table has faded for many people. Three women who came from rural backgrounds realized that many children in Highlands County were growing up without ever having set foot on a farm or interacting with farm animals. The children had little understanding of the importance of agriculture. To change this, the women came up a unique idea for an event.
Danielle Daum, Darlene Phypers and Christie Waller founded “Highlands County Ag-Venture,” a nonprofit that brings third-graders out to the farm for a day of learning and fun. For 21 years now, it’s been a much-anticipated event for students. “Children are so removed from the farm now,” explains Phypers, “with no idea of the connection between food and the farm. Agriculture is important, no matter what walk of life they choose in their career.” As a result of the event, agriculture teachers have noticed a definite uptick in their class engagement and kids going on to pursue ag careers. One thirdgrade teacher even switched to teaching agriculture after attending one of the events. Daum also noted that one of the students became interested in bees after attending the event and struck up a friendship with an experienced beekeeper who had spoken at the event. The beekeeper helped the
28 | CFAN
student start his own apiary. The student continued his beekeeping through middle school and high school and even earned enough money to pay for college. This same student now mentors others who want to learn the art of beekeeping. Last year’s event was canceled because of concerns about COVID-19, but this year fourth-graders will be able to come and make up for lost time by attending a special day that is just for them that will end with a hot dog roast. Fourth-grade students must register for it since space is limited, and it will be open to the first 300 registrants only. This year’s Ag-Venture will feature 14 stations where students will learn about citrus, beekeeping, forestry, and animal husbandry for cows, chickens, alligators and more. Each station gives them a more complete idea of the benefits of each farm product. For example, kids will get to make real butter while the speaker explains
that cows are not just for milk and for beef. Cows also provide the means to produce bone china, gelatin, detergent, lipstick, iron for vitamins and even insulin for diabetic patients. The students will get to taste the fresh butter they’ve made and pet some calves. They’ll learn about the connection of bees to our food supply, forestry management and water conservation. In addition, they will construct a water cycle terrarium while learning the importance of our wetlands and how they naturally filter our water supply. While there won’t be full-size alligators at the event, students will get to interact with a baby alligator and even taste alligator meat. They’ll also plant caladiums, a mini vegetable garden, strawberry plants and pine tree saplings — all of which can be taken home to watch them grow. It’s not surprising that this event has become a favorite among schoolchildren. It’s come a long way from that first year. This event is open to public, private and home-schooled students at no cost. If you would like to volunteer at this year’s event, which takes place November 16-18, visit the website at highlandscountyag-venture.com/for.html. No experience is needed to volunteer. ❤
FloridaAgNews.com
Who’sWHO John Hundley Named 2022 Florida Ag Hall of Fame Inductee
A
AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER NIKKI FRIED and the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Foundation recently announced John L. Hundley as the 2022 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame inductee. The induction ceremony will be held at the Florida State Fair’s Agricultural Hall of Fame Banquet on February 15, where Mr. Hundley will be recognized along with the class of 2021 inductees given last year’s banquet was canceled due to COVID-19. “The impact of agriculture on our state’s history, culture, and economy cannot be overstated. From providing an economic impact of nearly $150 billion, to being stewards of the land, to putting food on the tables of families across the state, nation, and world – our farmers positively impact the lives of Floridians every day,” says Fried. “I am honored to recognize Mr. Hundley and his work over more than five decades on his family farm, utilizing best management practices and conservation techniques to build a sustainable future for their farm and the community that his children, grandchildren, and others can enjoy for years to come. I am also thankful that the class of 2021 will have the opportunity to be formally inducted at this year’s banquet as we recognize the contributions of leaders in agriculture who keep Florida growing.” Hundley has been an active part of Florida’s agricultural community for more than five decades. A native of Pahokee, he worked on his father’s farm before founding Hundley Farms, Inc., with his wife, Patsy. The enterprise began FloridaAgNews.com
on 400 acres of leased land, growing sweet corn and radishes. Today the operation consists of about 16,000 acres in the Everglades Agricultural Area, central Florida, and Bainbridge, Georgia, where they grow sugarcane, sweet corn, green beans, radishes, cabbage, field corn, rice, cattle, cotton, peanuts, soybeans and assorted winter produce. The Hundley Farms team now includes their son, John Scott Hundley, their daughter and son-in-law, Krista and Eric Hopkins, and grandson Cooper Hopkins. Hundley Farms complies with South Florida Water Management District’s best management practices and utilizes many conservation techniques to ensure that their farm will be sustainable for future generations. Hundley wants to ensure that his children and grandchildren have the opportunity to farm for many years to come. They have also been on the cutting edge of the movement to use mapping technology to maximize yields through proper crop rotation and land use and maintain a strong focus on food safety. A longtime member of the Sugar Cane
JOHN HUNDLEY
Growers Cooperative, Hundley has been on its board of directors for 34 years and served as its chairman of the board for seven years. He has served on the governing board of the South Florida Water Management District and has been active in numerous other groups, including the Pioneer Growers Cooperative, Florida Sugar and Molasses Exchange, Tellus Products, Farm Credit, Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association and the Florida Farm Bureau. Among other accomplishments, Hundley is credited with leading the vertical integration of South Florida’s winter vegetable production and strengthening the unity of those farming within the EAA. Hundley has previously been named the Swisher Sweets Florida Farmer of the Year, the Palm Beach County Farm Bureau EAA Farm Family of the Year, the Florida Growers Association Grower of the Year and the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches Leader of the Year. ag CFAN | 29
Advances Against Greening
Florida Ag Expo
continued from page 11
continued from page 16
To measure the effectiveness of the fungus, Avery employed a “tap-sampling” method to collect psyllids present on citrus trees before and after the fungus was applied. Avery and his colleagues mixed a powder form of the fungal product with water and white oil and used agricultural blast sprayers to apply the viable spores to the trees. Also, a biorational insecticide called spinetoram was mixed with white oil and applied to other trees in the same grove as a comparison. The biorational insecticide product prepared from bacterial natural compounds has a low toxicity to humans, animals, and the environment. The field experiments took place in 2018 and 2019 at The Florida Research Center for Agricultural Sustainability in Vero Beach. “The field study in 2018 indicated that
C. javanica alone, C. javanica mixed with white oil, and spinetoram mixed with white oil suppressed the psyllid populations by 60 to 90% and 61 to 83%, seven and 14 days after application,” said Avery. Avery said only spinetoram plus oil subdued the psyllid 100% up to seven days after the fungus was applied in the 2019 study. Lady beetles that eat Asian citrus psyllids were observed foraging in the citrus trees throughout both studies. “Fruit growers need to produce healthy fruit free of disease,” Avery says. “The fungus C. javanica is compatible with the environment, the psyllid’s natural enemies, and it suppresses psyllid populations that vector the pathogen associated with the citrus greening disease. We recommend it as part of citrus growers’ integrated pest management strategies.” ag
This cannot continue. I refocused funding internally to jumpstart work on tomatoes and potatoes at four sites across the state, including Gulf Coast REC. The Expo includes an update. • Incentivizing ecosystems services. Partly through artificial intelligence, we will be doing research to quantify the ecosystems services agriculture provides, such as carbon sequestration. With that information, we can inform a public policy discussion of how you can be incentivized to continue and even do more of it. I advocate payment for ecosystems services. You should get rewarded for all that you produce, not just food. Having to cancel last year’s Expo didn’t stop our outreach. In fact, when we had a virtual field day early this year, we had to cap attendance at 300. You can get a flavor for the day by checking out recordings here and here and here. We’re looking forward to an in-person Expo. Cuttingedge science means getting input from the experts in the field—you. I’ll open the program on Nov. 18, but for the rest of the day I’ll be there to listen to you. ag
Purchase your tickets now to win a
NEW JOHN DEERE 560E GATOR!
Proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit PCFB Ag Education and Youth activities. Tickets are $20.00 each, or 6 tickets for $100.00. The drawing will be held May 13, 2022 and you will not need to be present to win. To purchase tickets, visit the Polk County Farm Bureau website or Facebook page, or scan the QR code at right with your smartphone to go directly to the ticket purchase site. You may also call the Bartow office at 863-533-0561.
863-533-0561 • www.PCFB.org • Facebook.com/PolkCountyFarm Bureau 30 | CFAN
FloridaAgNews.com
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS _______________________________________ GRIFFIN FERTILIZER Here for the grower, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Offices in Frostproof, 863-635-2281, and LaBelle, 863-675-7444 _______________________________________ Phillip Rucks Citrus Nursery, Inc. Citrus, peaches, eucalyptus, bamboo, etc. 863-635-1948 • info@rucksnursery.com ruckscitrusnursery.com • floridagrownspecialties.com _______________________________________
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FARMING INNOVATION LLC Hedging and Topping of Blueberries, Peaches, and Olives. HunterVickers 863-287-2351 vickershunter@yahoo.com We’re putting science to work for generations to come. The Mosaic Company, leaders in reclamation ecology Visit MosaicCo.com/Florida _______________________________________
Garrison Land Management Certified and Licensed Pest Control Firm 863-439-6550 GarrisonLand.com _______________________________________ Ring Power Corporation Special Financing Rate - 0% for 60 months, $0 down. (888) 748-7464 • CatRentalStore.com _______________________________________ • Irrigation Services of Central Florida Ag irrigation is our specialty, Jimmy Durden, Irrigation Specialist - (863) 875-5722. _______________________________________ Farm Bureau Insurance Offices Throughout Central Florida! 24/7 Claims Reporting Toll Free (866) 275-7322 floridafarmbureau.com _______________________________________ Garrison Property Services We’re the Key to Making Life Easy for You! Real Estate, Lawn Care, Pest Control, and more! 863-439-6550 GarrisonPropertyServices.com _______________________________________ AQUATIC WEED MANAGEMENT - Lake & Pond Maintenance - Permitting - Re-Vegetation Manual & Mechanical Removal (863) 412-1919 • waterweed1@aol.com _______________________________________ ADVANTAGE HEDGING & TOPPING We care for citrus, peach avocado, mango trees and more. Hedging, mowing, topping, trimming right of ways, heavy equipment transport. 863-557-0424
• Cost Effective Citrus Management & Marketing - Please contact us today to see how we may service your needs. 638-1619 StoryCompanies.com _______________________________________ • Certified Public Accountants - Bunting Tripp and Ingley - A Tradition of Excellence for more than 80 Years - (863) 676-7981 _______________________________________ • ADAMS COLD STORAGE - Florida’s Best Multi Temp 3PL - (863)967-3800. info@adamscoldstorage.com _______________________________________ • Blade Sharpening Service - Knives, Scissors, Chain Saws, Lawn Mowers & More. Doty Farm & Garden (863) 293-9730 _______________________________________
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CFAN | 31
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32 | CFAN
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CFAN | 33
AgriUPDATE Tomato Trade With Mexico Could Cost U.S. Growers $252 Million per Year, Study shows by BRAD BUCK, UF/IFAS correspondent
A
AS MEXICO INCREASES TOMATO EXPORTS across the world, including to the United States, prices plummet for American growers, including those in Florida. That practice could cost American growers as much as $252 million per year — or 27% in revenue — if imports from Mexico increase by 50% in coming years, based on historical trends, new University of Florida research shows. That’s a huge loss for American farmers, who produced 1.3 billion pounds of fresh tomatoes in 2020, less than one-third the harvest from the year 2000. That decline is due to competition from Mexico and other challenges, says Zhengfei Guan, an associate professor of food and resource economics at the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Guan just published a study on the consequences of intensifying Mexican competition for American growers. The market positions of Mexican and domestic tomato industries completely reversed over the past 20 years. Mexico now dominates the U.S. market, with three times more market share than the domestic industry. That change sparked Guan’s interest in pursuing the new study. “The two countries had a series of trade disputes over fruit and vegetables recently,” he says. “One reason is that surging imports from Mexico boosted by subsidies have depressed
34 | CFAN
prices, and American growers are quickly losing market shares.” “The findings from our study will provide tomato producers and policymakers with important insights on the challenges and the sustainability of the U.S. tomato industry,” Guan says. In his study, Guan measured the potential losses the U.S. industry will sustain as a result of the increasing imports from Mexico, given the steep growth over the years. As a frame of reference, the volume of imported tomatoes from Mexico increased by about 60% over the years 2009-2019. Results of Guan’s research show that prices of domestic tomatoes are particularly sensitive to imports from Mexico in an increasingly saturated market. The imports are especially damaging to the Florida tomato industry which has about $400 million in sales and has the same harvest seasons as Mexico. West-central, southwest and southeast Florida are the biggest tomatoproducing areas in the Sunshine State. The trade deficit complicates matters for farmers in several commodities – not just tomatoes. Specifically, fruit and vegetables —such
ZHENGFEI GUAN
as tomatoes, strawberries, peppers, blueberries, cucumbers and melons — accounted for 50% of the total U.S. agricultural imports from Mexico in 2020, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “But all may not be lost, if the U.S. fruit and vegetable industry could revolutionize the production technology,” says Guan. “Mechanization or automation will be a game changer and is the future for this labor-intensive industry.” ag FloridaAgNews.com
9 out of 10 consumers are more likely to purchase products labeled “Fresh From Florida” Become a “Fresh From Florida” member to use the logo on your products
Go with The Logo They Know
Membership fee is only $50/year For more information, contact the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services IndustryMKT@FDACS.gov | 850-617-7399 | FDACS.gov FloridaAgNews.com CFAN | 35
R E N
A F F
R O C
FFA Chapters Recognized at First Competitive Event of the Year by JESSICA ANDERSON
T
THE POLK COUNTY FFA FEDERATION held its first competitive event of the year for Polk County FFA chapters on September 21 at Winter Haven High School. This event was the Opening and Closing Ceremonies contest for middle and high school FFA chapter officers. This event is designed to develop agricultural leadership by providing members participation in public speaking activities and stimulating interest in leadership and citizenship. Students are required to properly open and close a business meeting and are judged upon their execution of such skill. The top three middle and high school FFA chapters in this event are recognized for their success. Results are as follows: High School 1. Haines City Senior 2. Frostproof Senior 3. Bartow Senior
Middle School 1. Southwest Middle 2. Frostproof Middle 3. Westwood Middle
Each year the Polk County FFA Federation Officer team works to develop a service project that all middle and high school FFA members across Polk County can work together toward. In previous years, this has been coined the Making a Difference project. This fall the Federation Officers decided to put together a canned corn drive, making it a friendly competition between schools to see which chapter can collect the most cans. These cans will then be donated to a local food bank. Why corn, you may ask? Corn is the one commodity that is capable of being grown in all fifty states. It is the symbol of unity and the foundation of the FFA emblem. In essence, it is the one agricultural crop that is common between any FFA member across the United States of America. Our hope is to make an impact in our local community and instill a heart for helping others in our FFA members along the way. If you are interested in helping, feel free to reach out to your local middle or high school FFA chapter! We will collect through October 19. ag
Our District Forestry career development event will be held October 14 at Lake Kissimmee State Park. This event is being organized for our students by the Florida Forest Service Foresters. The purpose of the Forestry Career Development Event is to stimulate student interest in forestry, to promote forestry instruction in the agricultural education curriculum, and to provide recognition for those who have demonstrated skill and competency as a result of forestry instruction. A few of the skills students are required to demonstrate proficiency in are identifying tree species, forest equipment and disorders, evaluate timber to determine wood volume, interpret topographic maps, and complete a compass and pacing practicum. We appreciate the partnership with the Florida Forest Service to provide this event for Polk County FFA members.
Video Tour • Exhibits • Free Juice Family Friendly • Gift Shop Monday-Friday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Closed: Saturday and Sunday Open seasonally: October - May 20160 Highway 27, Lake Wales, FL 33853 1-800-237-7805 ext 4110 www.FloridasNaturalGroveHouse.com
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36 | CFAN
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CFAN | 37
Editor’s Last Word
It’s a Great Time to Grow Your Knowledge JESSICA McDONALD, Editor jessica@centralfloridamediagroup.com
AS WE ENTER THE FINAL MONTHS of the year, there is a lot happening! While there are plenty of exciting events in our calendar, Central Florida Ag News doesn’t want you to miss the many other opportunities for those working in Florida agriculture. This is a brief roundup of some upcoming events of note, including some great educational programs.
Florida Blueberry Growers Association Fall Short Course
October 14, 2021 • Mission Resort Inn & Club 10400 County Road 48 Howey-in-the-Hills The FBGA’s annual meeting and trade show will cover a wide array of topics, including management programs for the blueberry gall midge and southern red mite, blueberry diseases, the new diagnostic phone app for growers, seasonal blueberry root growth patterns, a breeding program update and summary of the 2021 season.
Environmental Lands Management
October 21, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Cross Bar Ranch, 20031 Locket Avenue, Spring Hill This program on interactive best management practices is designed for managers of properties who currently have grazing leases or would like to learn more. Topics to be discussed include preservation of natural resources, phosphorus/nitrogen budgets and soil health, weed management, stocking
rate and forage management and cattle body condition. Register at environmentallands2021.eventbrite.com
Farm Safety Day
October 27, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. • Lake County Ag Center Contact: Brandon1.white@ufl.edu This event will cover safety topics including worker protection standards, tractor and equipment safety, CPR and first aid, insect and snake identification, pesticide label education and more.
The Florida Phosphorus Budget
Presented by Dr. Maria Silveira • November 9, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. UF/IFAS Range Cattle Research and Education Center, Ona https://rcrec-ona.ifas.ufl.edu/faculty-directory/maria-lucia-silveira/
24th Annual Citrus Fun Shoot
December 11, 8:30 a.m. • Quail Creek Sporting Ranch Registration is open for the 2021 HCCGA Citrus Sporting Clays Fun Shoot and Prime Rib & Seafood lunch extravaganza. More than 300 shooters are expected at the shoot and lunch, so make sure to RSVP. There will also be a raffle drawing for outdoor gear and prizes. For additional information, contact 863-385-8091 or admin@hccga.com. ag
Blueprint for an Amazing Agriculture Website Have a User-Friendly, Mobile Reponsive Website
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Polk Equine provides large animal veterinary services within parts of Polk, Highlands and Hardee Counties in Florida. Polk Equine works with horses, cattle, goats and sheep. Our primary task is to solve our client’s animal medical problems by maintaining the highest standards in veterinary medicine.
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