Speaker Spotlight: Ute Albrecht

The seminar program at the 2017 Citrus Expo will allow growers to hear about new research and information pertaining to the citrus industry. Ute Albrecht, an assistant professor of plant physiology at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee, will be speaking on citrus propagation methods for rootstocks. “In recent years, it has been recognized now that root …

Citrus Expo to Host U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue

Citrus Expo is proud to announce that U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue will be attending the first day of the show on Wednesday, August 16, with U.S. Representative Tom Rooney. Perdue and Rooney are looking forward to walking the tradeshow floor and viewing the top-of-the-line products and services the Citrus Expo exhibitors have to offer. While on the trade …

Browning Encourages Grower Participation in Bactericide Survey

The Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) encourages growers to register for the 2017 Citrus Expo, which is quickly approaching. Harold Browning, chief operations officer for the CRDF, says he is looking forward to seeing everyone at the Expo in August. He reminds growers registering for Citrus Expo to take the bactericide survey. A link to the survey is available …

Speaker Spotlight: Arnold Schumann

During the 2017 Citrus Expo seminar series, research and important information pertaining to growers and the citrus industry will be presented. One of the speakers will be University of Florida professor Arnold Schumann. Schumann says getting started with the citrus under protective screen (CUPS) system was not necessarily easy to do when most HLB research at the time focused on …

Royce Emphasizes Importance of Grower Participation in Bactericide Survey

Citrus Expo is proud to partner with the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) to conduct the 2017 bactericide survey. Executive director of the Highlands County Citrus Growers Association, Ray Royce, urges all Florida growers to take the bactericide survey whether they use bactericides or not. Grower participation in the survey is vital for the results to be useful. The …

Speaker Spotlight: Travis Chapin

The 2017 Citrus Expo seminar series will feature the latest research in the citrus industry and address grower concerns. Travis Chapin, a specialized Extension agent in food safety, will speak on an increasing grower concern, the produce safety rule. Chapin’s presentation titled “Food Safety Modernization Act forecast: expectations for the first season under the produce safety rule” will aim to …

Citrus Expo Benefits Growers and Vendors

Citrus Expo is an opportunity to bring a lot of people together, says Steve Smith, executive director of Peace River Valley Citrus Growers Association. Smith says the growers get to spend time discussing and are able to pick up on new information presented at the Citrus Expo seminars. “The vendors enjoy it. It’s a good chance for them to interact …

Citrus Expo: An Industry Highlight

The 2017 Citrus Expo is quickly approaching. Mike Sparks, the executive vice president/CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual, is looking forward to this year’s event and all it has to offer. “One of the highlights every year in the Florida citrus industry is the Citrus Expo,” Sparks says. Sparks has a long history with the Expo and says he cannot remember …

Speaker Spotlight: Fred Gmitter

Fred Gmitter, professor of horticultural sciences at the University of Florida (UF), is set to speak on Wednesday, August 16, at Citrus Expo. His talk will be a general overview of what growers should be planting today. Gmitter said he plans on discussing new varieties from UF’s citrus breeding program, including characteristics to help growers decide if these plants would …

Slinski Emphasizes Importance of 2017 Bactericide Survey for Growers

Stephanie Slinski, project manager for the bactericide projects at the Citrus Research and Development Foundation, says it is vital for growers to take the 2017 survey on bactericide use in the state of Florida. Three commercial bactericide products containing the two active ingredients, streptomycin and oxytetracycline, are available for use. Growers are implementing season-long plans for application of these materials …