California Ag Network

Category: Citrus Industry

  • California Navel Orange Crop Forecast Down 14%

    USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service — The initial 2021-22 California Navel orange forecast is 70.0 million cartons, down 14% from the previous year. Of the total Navel orange forecast, 67.0 million cartons are estimated to be in the Central Valley. Cara Cara variety Navel orange production in the Central Valley is forecast at 6.0 million cartons. These forecasts are based on the results of the 2021-22 Navel Orange Objective Measurement (O.M.) Survey, which was conducted from June 15 to September 1, 2021. Estimated fruit set per tree, fruit diameter, trees per acre, bearing acreage, and oranges per box were used in the statistical models estimating production.

    This forecast includes production of conventional, organic, and specialty Navel oranges (including Cara Cara and Blood orange varieties).

    Survey data indicated a fruit set per tree of 239, down 25% from the previous year and b e l o w the five-year average of 344. The average September 1 diameter was 2.145 inches, below the five-year average of 2.208 inches. The Cara Cara orange set was 211 with a diameter of 2.146 inches.

    SURVEY SAMPLE

    A sample of 785 Navel orange groves was randomly selected proportional to county and variety bearing acreage, and 707 of the groves were utilized in this survey. Once a grove was randomly chosen and grower permission was granted, two trees were randomly selected. The Navel orange sample included conventional, organic, Cara Cara, and Blood orange groves.

    For each randomly selected tree, the trunk was measured along with all connected branches. A random number table was then used to select a branch, and then all connected branches from the randomly-selected branch were measured.

    This process was repeated until a branch was reached with no significant limbs beyond this point. This randomly-selected branch, called the terminal branch, was then closely inspected to count all fruit connected to this branch, as well as all of the fruit along the path from the trunk to the terminal branch. Since each selected path has a probability of selection associated with the path, a probability-based method was then applied to estimate a fruit count for the entire tree.

    In the last week of the survey period, fruit diameter measurements were made on the right quadrant of four trees surrounding the two trees of every third grove. These measurements were used to estimate an average fruit diameter per tree. Of the 707 utilized groves, 10 were in Madera County, 119 were in Fresno County, 419 were in Tulare County, and 157 were in Kern County.

    SURVEY HISTORY

    A Navel Orange Objective Measurement Survey has been conducted in the Central Valley every year since the 1984-85 crop year, except for the 1991-92 season due to a lack of funding. The data from the first two years were used for research purposes in developing crop-estimating models. The Cara Cara forecast was undertaken at the request of the California Citrus Advisory Committee.

  • Pandemic, Drought Cause Soaring Costs for Citrus Growers

    The COVID pandemic continues to have rippling effects worldwide. For the California citrus industry, COVID and now a devastating drought, have resulted in staggering increases in farming and production costs for growers and minimal price correction in the market.

    An internal industry survey of California citrus growers conducted by California Citrus Mutual (CCM) found that, on average, farming costs for the 2020-21 season increased by nearly $1,000 per acre. This represents a 19% increase since the start of the pandemic.

    The two largest cost drivers are water and shipping. The spot market for surface water has increased 400% and in many cases is not available at all. Shipping costs are up as much as 380%, since the start of the pandemic due to the limited supply of containers and delays at ports around the world.

    While water and shipping costs are up significantly, all farming costs have increased over the past 18 months. Fertilizer costs are up 49% and diesel fuel costs are up 38%, leading to additional costs throughout the supply chain.

    “As the cost of growing and delivering high-quality California citrus increases, so must the prices consumers pay at the grocery store,” said Casey Creamer, President/CEO of California Citrus Mutual. “Growers simply cannot absorb these increases and stay in business. Now more than ever, growers, retailers, and consumers must work together to maintain cost controls and support policies that keep fresh and healthy food like California citrus plentiful and affordable.”

  • California Fresh Produce Industry Decries Assembly Action on SB 559

    In response to California State Senator Melissa Hurtado being forced to pull SB 559 after the California State Assembly Appropriations Committee removed all funding provisions, a coalition of leading California fresh produce organizations issued the following statement:

    “With nearly 90 percent of the state in extreme or exceptional drought, including virtually all the 3.25 million acres of farmland dependent on irrigation from the State Water Project and Central Valley Project, the move to strip SB 559 of its funding demonstrates the clear intent of the Assembly to drive food production out of California,” said California Fresh Fruit Association President Ian LeMay. “In light of the staggering state budget surplus, the decision to defund the repair of our critical conveyance systems is not financial, but ideological, and will harm thousands of multi-generational family farms and countless disadvantaged communities in the San Joaquin Valley.”

    “Water supply reliability is central to the production of food in California, and vital to the rural communities and statewide economy that is supported by the agriculture industry,” said California Citrus Mutual President and CEO Casey Creamer. “SB 559 would have funded long overdue repairs to canals and other conveyance infrastructure that have been damaged by subsidence. California cannot afford to waste even a single drop of its limited water resources in the face of changing hydrological conditions and recurring drought. In addition to the need to build more above and below ground storage, our state must also invest in fixing our broken water delivery systems.”

    “Farms that cannot irrigate crops to grow food will inevitably reduce operations or cease farming altogether. When enough of them do, farmworkers lose the most,” said Western Growers President and CEO Dave Puglia. “In once again eviscerating Senator Hurtado’s legislation to repair critical water infrastructure, the Assembly’s leaders leave no uncertainty as to the future they want for the farms, farmers, farmworkers and communities of the San Joaquin Valley. They will do whatever it takes to keep taxpayer money flowing to a high-speed rail project we can do without and do whatever it takes to deny funds to help repair water infrastructure we cannot do without. We are enormously grateful to Senator Hurtado for her tenacity and to those who stood with her even as their leaders gave them, and all of us, the middle finger.”

    About California Citrus Mutual:

    California Citrus Mutual was founded by growers in 1977 as a non-profit trade association and is headquartered in Exeter, California. Our members are citrus growers that collectively grow oranges, lemons, mandarins, and grapefruit across roughly 250,000 acres in California. They provide Californian’s and the world with the highest quality fresh citrus, are a critical economic sector for our rural communities, and provide ladders of opportunities for their hardworking employees and their families.

    About California Fresh Fruit Association:

    The California Fresh Fruit Association is a voluntary public policy organization that works on behalf of our members – growers, shippers, marketers and associates – on issues that specifically affect member commodities: fresh grapes, kiwis, pomegranates, cherries, blueberries, peaches, pears, apricots, nectarines, interspecific varieties, plums, apples and persimmons. It is the Association’s responsibility to serve as a liaison between regulatory and legislative authorities by acting as the unified voice of our members.

    About Western Growers:

    Founded in 1926, Western Growers represents local and regional family farmers growing fresh produce in California, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico. Western Growers’ members and their workers provide over half the nation’s fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts, including half of America’s fresh organic produce.

  • California Avocado Commission Launches Sustainability Webpage

    The California Avocado Commission has launched a webpage to showcase the sustainability practices of California avocado growers. The information illustrates how California avocado growers are good stewards of the land as well as contributing members of their communities. The Commission’s consumer website, CaliforniaAvocado.com, now includes a section called “California Avocado Sustainability” where website visitors can learn about the four pillars of California avocado sustainability: environmentally friendly farming, worker well-being, healthy communities and economic viability.

    The website explains that California avocado growers farm under robust federal and state requirements and follow Good Agricultural Practices and the Food Safety Modernization Act. It highlights that tilling is not used in California avocado production and that California avocado farmers help to generate healthy soils. Regenerative agriculture practices that are already part of what California avocado growers do are noted as well.

    In the worker well-being section several California laws and regulations that set the state apart both from other states and other countries are noted building awareness that workers in the California avocado industry are treated well. The healthy communities section showcases both the physical benefits of avocado groves in a community as well as the contributions by California growers who participate in making their communities better.

    Economic viability is a key part of sustainability. Clearly, if California avocado growers can’t survive financially then the business cannot be sustained. This pillar of the sustainability initiative puts a spotlight on the economic value of the California avocado industry and encourages purchasers to support their communities and choose locally grown when available.

    One of the ways of communicating this sustainability information and making it more relatable to key purchasers, is by tying it back to California avocado grower stories. If you have a story you would like to share about your environmentally friendly growing practices, the well-being of your employees or your involvement in your community, please contact Ken Melban at kmelban@avocado.org.

  • Japan Grants Market Access To California Plums

    The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that Japan has granted market access for California plums. Eliminating the phytosanitary barriers keeping California plums out of the Japanese market required multiple rounds of technical negotiations that were somewhat hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) would like to extend its appreciation to the USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service and Agricultural Research Service’s negotiators and experts, as well as the Fresno County and Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner offices for their invaluable contributions to this process.

    There will be strict packing and fumigation protocols in place but given the success of the existing California nectarine program for Japan, California stone fruit exporters have already demonstrated a commitment to meeting Japan’s requirements.

    “Trade barriers threaten the health and viability of the industry. This represents a significant opportunity for California plums, as Japanese consumers value premium fruit and recognize California fruit’s superior quality. As the global economy rebounds from the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding market access will continue to be critical to the industry’s success,” said Ian LeMay, CFFA President.

    The California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) is a voluntary, nonprofit agricultural trade association that represents California’s fresh fruit industry. CFFA promotes California nectarines, peaches, and plums (stone fruit) around the world by reducing trade barriers and expanding markets. The California stone fruit industry, based predominantly in the San Joaquin Valley, is dependent on opening new markets and maintaining access to approximately 50 countries around the world. 

  • Growers Urged to Participate in Kern County Coordinated Treatment

    Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program — A significant number of Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) detections in Kern County – more than 115 since this time last year – is a stark reminder to remain vigilant against the pest and the deadly disease it can spread, Huanglongbing (HLB). Last week, an adult ACP was confirmed from a commercial citrus trap in the east Edison area. This detection, along with two recent detections in Arvin residential properties, provides more urgency for growers with citrus east and south of Bakersfield to participate in the upcoming coordinated treatment.

    The preferred timing of the treatment is mid-August through mid-September to prevent ACP populations from building on the fall foliar flush. Coordinated treatments like this were done during the same time period in 2018 and 2019 with great success in significantly suppressing ACP populations in commercial citrus orchards.

    The San Joaquin Valley ACP/HLB Task Force recommends growers treat all commercial citrus orchards located south or east of Bakersfield – including young, non-bearing trees. For more information on ACP treatments and effective materials, see the University of California’s UCIPM Pest Management Guidelines for Asian Citrus Psyllid.

    Past coordinated treatments in the county have been successful in suppressing ACP populations. By participating in this late summer/early fall treatment, Kern County can greatly reduce the number of psyllids, and thus reduce the risk of HLB being transmitted to our commercial citrus.

    If you suspect ACP in your orchard, please notify the California Department of Food and Agriculture Pest Hotline at 1-800-491-1899. For questions, contact Kern County Grower Liaison Judy Zaninovich at jsleslie@msn.com or 559-730-8691 or the Kern County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office at 661-868-6300.

  • Citrus Research Board Awarded $3.4 Million to Fund HLB Research

    The Citrus Research Board (CRB) has been awarded $3,438,059 in funding from the Huanglongbing Multi-Agency Coordination Group (HLB MAC) to support its California Focused Citrus Research and Field Trials (CRaFT).

    The overarching goal of the CRaFT project is to demonstrate additional mitigations to improve psyllid control within commercial citrus groves across the various citrus growing regions in California. This information will inform areawide control efforts and demonstrate the benefits of control mitigation measures currently available to growers for regional, state, and national benefit. This project aims to demonstrate reduced psyllid levels (through trap, tap, and visual monitoring) within treated groves as a year-by-year measurement and relative to the regional psyllid levels.

    “We are excited to develop the first CRaFT project for citrus in California, as this project will bring new energy to the fight against HLB and benefit growers across the state while investing in vital research,” said CRB President Marcy L. Martin.

    A group of 10 industry members will steer the project through the CRaFT Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) in conjunction with the CRB. This combined group will work with industry personnel to recruit growers in various regions to implement innovative psyllid management strategies. Growers who apply and are selected will receive reimbursement for costs associated with participation in the program.

    The project will be administered over two years by the CRB, with the intent to renew. Efforts in year one will include creating a foundation for the program while conducting trap-based monitoring. Data from these measures will be collected and summarized to demonstrate changes in psyllid populations from resulting mitigation measures. Semiannual grower meetings and quarterly CRaFT TAC meetings will be initiated to review project progress and identify any potential project issues.

    Year two will expand on previous efforts to provide data demonstrating changes in psyllid populations from applied mitigation measures. Findings will be summarized and shared with industry members to promote effective treatments.

    The HLB MAC group was established as an emergency response framework to better position the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to coordinate the citrus industry’s immediate and long-term needs in dealing with HLB. HLB MAC funds projects to drive innovative solution-oriented research while delivering effective and practical tools to growers.

    In addition to funding for the California Focused CRaFT project, other programs awarded funding for FY2021 include:

    • $4,061,941 to Texas (CRaFT project)
    • $676,665 to USDA Agricultural Research Service (expand data management tools to support these projects)

    For more information about the California Focused CRaFT Project and HLB MAC, visit www.citrusresearch.org.

    The CRB administers the California Citrus Research Program, the grower-funded and grower directed program established in 1968 under the California Marketing Act as the mechanism enabling the State’s citrus producers to sponsor and support needed research. More information about the Citrus Research Board may be found at www.citrusresearch.org.

  • Excessive Heat, High Winds and Fire Weather Warnings Issued in Southern CA

    California Avocado Commission — The National Weather Service has issued warnings concerning an extended period of excessive heat, gusty winds and critical fire weather conditions beginning Monday, June 14 and lasting throughout the entire next week for the Los Angeles/Oxnard region.

    Beginning Monday, the region will experience higher temperatures and gusty winds, peaking Tuesday through Friday, June 18. The combination of extended high temperatures — in the triple digits — warm overnight temperatures, low humidity, abnormally dry fuels and Sundowner winds will create critical fire conditions during this time period. The Sundowner winds in Santa Barbara County and north winds along the I-5 corridor and the canyons and hills of the Santa Ynez Range and Santa Clarita Valley could create gusts in the 30 – 50 mph range. Driving conditions also could become hazardous due to downed branches or power lines.

    The highest temperatures will occur Tuesday through Friday with highs between 98˚F – 108˚F in the valleys and mountains. Overnight lows will be between 65˚F– 75˚F. Humidities will range from 8 – 15%.

    These conditions will post a high risk for heat-related illnesses for those working outdoors.

    For more information on how to avoid these risks, view “Reduce Heat Illness for Employees” on the California avocado growers’ website.

    To ensure California avocados maintain their superior quality it is imperative growers manage their trees and harvest their fruit according to best management practices as outlined below.

    IRRIGATION

    Growers should be irrigating their trees now, in advance of the heat, to ensure their trees are fully hydrated. It is recommended that an additional 50% of the budgeted amount of water be applied the day before a heat wave. For extended heat waves, daily pulses of irrigation are recommended to maintain the trees’ water status. A well-watered tree will tolerate the stress of a heat wave much better than a tree that is suffering from water stress. Signs of heat damage to trees include fruit drop, shoot damage, leaf burn and in severe cases leaf drop.

    HARVESTING

    Every attempt should be made to harvest fruit when temperatures are below 90 °F, and no harvesting should take place when temperatures exceed 95 °F. Temperature in the shade should be monitored during harvesting and, when possible, harvesting crews should be moved to the coolest, least exposed areas of the grove.

    Field bins should be placed under the trees while being filled to protect the harvested fruit from sunburn. Once filled, bins should be moved to a shade structure (open-sided roofed building), or covered with bin covers or light-colored tarps if they cannot be immediately transported to the packinghouse. Never leave filled bins exposed to the direct sun. The surface layer of fruit can easily heat up to more than 15 °F above ambient temperature when exposed to direct sun. Acute sunburn will only show on fruit after it is packed and is a major quality detractor.

    To avoid water loss and decreased fruit quality do not hold fruit too long after harvest. Transport fruit to the packinghouse at least once per day, if not twice daily. Bins should not be left in the grove for more than 8 hours after harvest. Cover bins during transport to avoid sunburn and to reduce water loss.

    For more information about managing heat in avocado groves, growers can view the following articles on the California avocado growers’ website:

    •    Managing Heat in California Avocado Groves
    •    Managing Avocado Heat Damage
    •    Best Practices for California Avocado Groves Impacted by Excessive Heat

  • FDA Releases Findings Following 2020 Outbreak Linked to Central Valley Peaches

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a report on its investigation of the Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak in Peaches. The FDA and multiple state and federal partners investigated an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections that were linked to the consumption of peaches during the summer of 2020. In total, the outbreak caused 101 reported illnesses across 17 states, including 28 hospitalizations. This appears to be the first time a Salmonella outbreak has been linked to peaches.

    The FDA conducted this investigation in conjunction with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state partners, and Canadian public health officials between August and October 2020. The epidemiological and traceback investigation determined that peaches packed or supplied by a large grower/producer were the likely source of the outbreak. The traceback evidence informed and helped to prioritize two subsequent investigations of peach packing/holding operations and peach orchards in Cutler, Kerman, and Sanger, California.  The large grower/producer cooperated with FDA throughout the investigation and is continuing to engage with FDA on the agency’s findings and recommendations.

    Investigators conducted over 700 tests on environmental, peach, and peach tree leaf samples.  While no test results matched the 2020 outbreak strain, four tests conducted on peach and peach tree leaf samples collected from an orchard adjacent to a poultry operation yielded positives for Salmonella Alachua which were further linked via whole genome sequencing (WGS) to 2019 and 2020 chicken isolates. This finding prompted a follow-up investigation more closely focused on growing areas and a voluntary recall by the firm, preventing the tested, contaminated product from reaching the market. During the follow-up investigation, two tests of peach tree leaf samples collected from orchards adjacent to a cattle feedlot yielded positives for Salmonella Montevideo that were genetically similar via WGS to 2018-2020 beef and cattle isolates.

    While investigators did not find the outbreak strain, and the strains of Salmonella found during this outbreak were not linked to any clinical illnesses, the investigational findings reinforce the FDA’s concern about the potential impact that adjacent land uses can have on the safety of produce.

    The FDA views the implementation of appropriate science- and risk-based measures to reduce the potential for contamination of peaches and other produce as the most effective and practicable means to improve the safety of fresh produce, especially when measures are tailored to the specific practices and conditions on individual farms. The FDA encourages all growers to be cognizant of and assess risks that may be posed by adjacent and nearby land uses, including for the potential impact of dust exposure. The FDA also recognizes the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment when it comes to public health outcomes, and we encourage collaboration among various groups in the broader agricultural community (e.g., produce growers, those managing animal operations, state and federal government agencies, and academia) to address this issue.

    For additional information

  • CA Olive Oil Council Announces Recipients of 2021 Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition

    Winners from the 13th Annual California Olive Oil Council Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition have been announced, recognizing olive oil producers from throughout California for their excellence. This year’s competition, which attracted 80 submissions, was judged by the California Olive Oil Council’s certification tasting panel, granting a host of awards including Best of Show, Best of Class, Miller Recognition, and Gold and Silver. Winners include:

     

    Best of Show

    • Grumpy Goats Farm: Organic Picual

     

    Best of Class

    • Delicate: Ohanneson Enterprises: OH Olive Oil
    • Medium: High Top Ranch
    • Robust: Proskine Family Farms

     

    Miller Recognition Award Winner

    • John Mesrobian: The Mill at Kings River for Ohanneson Enterprises: OH Olive Oil

     

    Gold Medal Winners

    • Campodonico Olive Farm: Tuscan Blend
    • Colina Vista Ranch: Calabrese – Tuscan Blend
    • ENZO Olive Oil Company: Organic Medium
    • Gold Ridge Organic Farms: Minerva Blend
    • Grumpy Goats Farm: Organic Coratina
    • Grumpy Goats Farm: Organic Italian Blend
    • Grumpy Goats Farm: Organic Picual
    • Halter Ranch: Tuscan Blend
    • High Top Ranch
    • Kiler Ridge Olive Farm: Nocellara del Belice
    • Long Meadow Ranch: Napa Valley Select
    • Long Meadow Ranch: Prato Lungo
    • Mangini Ranch Olive Oil Company: Calaveras Reserve
    • Marciano Estate Winery: Organic Italian Blend
    • Ohanneson Enterprises: OH Olive Oil
    • Olivaia’s OLA: Block X Heirloom Batch 20-1
    • Proskine Family Farms
    • The Ranch at Birch Creek
    • Rosenthal Olive Ranch: Koroneiki
    • San Paulo Olive Farm: Frantoio–Leccino
    • Sogno di Oliva: Tuscan Blend
    • Spanish Oaks Ranch: Arbequina
    • Tofino Estate: Supremo
    • Tres Osos Olive Oil: Robust
    • Tres Osos Olive Oil: Taggiasca
    • Warm Springs Farm

     

    Silver Medal Winners

    • 11 Olives: Longevity
    • Bari Olive Oil Company: Arbequina
    • Boccabella Farms: Arbequina
    • Boccabella Farms: Field Blend
    • Boccabella Farms: Winemakers Blend
    • Boundary Bend Olives: Cobram Estate – California Classic
    • Burroughs Family Orchards: Organic Koroneiki
    • Corto Olive Co: Truly
    • Corto Olive Co: Truly-Arbequina
    • ENZO Olive Oil Company: Organic Delicate
    • Estee Hill Vineyard: Manzanillo
    • Fat Gold Productions: Gold Standard
    • Gold Ridge Organic Farms: Arbequino Blend
    • Gold Ridge Organic Farms: Picholine Blend
    • Grumpy Goats Farm: Organic Pendolino
    • Jackrabbit California Olive Oil: Relaxed Blend
    • Kiler Ridge Olive Farm: Tuscan
    • Mangini Ranch Olive Oil Company: Estate Mission
    • McDonough Family Olive Oil
    • The Mill at Kings River: Koroneiki
    • Olivaia’s OLA: Block X Heirloom Batch 20-2
    • Organic Roots Olive Oil: Arbequina
    • Pine Mountain Olive Farm
    • Rio Bravo Ranch: Miller’s Reserve Blend
    • Rio Bravo Ranch: Picual
    • Rosental Olive Ranch: Arbosano
    • Séka Hills: Estate Frantoio
    • Showa Farm: Arbequina
    • Spanish Oaks Ranch: Italian Blend
    • Spanish Oaks Ranch: Picual
    • Swayne Family Ranch: Tuscan Blend
    • Tierra Santa Orchards: Hojiblanca Reserve
    • Wild Groves: Ascolano
    • Wild Groves: Foxy
    • Wild Groves: Robust Blend

    “Congratulations to all of the 2021 COOC Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition winners,” said COOC Executive Director Patricia King. “The COOC members are committed to crafting delicious extra virgin olive oils by adhering to best practices, and many award-winning extra virgin olive oils were produced, despite a challenging 2020 harvest. We thank consumers and retailers for their continued support of 100% California, certified extra virgin olive oil.”

     

    About the California Olive Oil Council and its Seal Certification

    Founded in 1992, the California Olive Oil Council (COOC) is a non-profit trade and marketing association whose purpose is to promote the growing of olives and the production of fresh, high-quality extra virgin olive oil in California. The COOC represents the majority of olive oil production in the state with a membership of 300 growers, producers, and supporting members from the retail and service industries. The organization supports certified olive oil standards and provides grower, producer and consumer education. Through its Seal Certification Program, the COOC helps everyone from home chefs to restaurants find guaranteed extra virgin grade olive oils for their kitchens. For more information, visit cooc.com.