California Ag Network

Category: Citrus Industry

  • Helping Reduce Methane Emissions by Solving a Sticky Problem for U.S. Produce Exporters

    USDA Foreign Ag Service — We see them every time we purchase fresh fruits and vegetables: price look up (PLU) labels. The little coin-size stickers are stuck to everything from apples, bananas, and cantaloupes to watermelons, yams, and zucchini.

    According to the Sustainable Packaging Coalition , PLU labels have been used globally for more than 30 years with the International Federation for Produce Standards issuing more than 1,400 PLU codes.

    PLU labels offer many benefits to the agriculture, trade, and retail industries. The labels lower costs and optimize handling by digitizing supply chain management, minimizing packaging, and reducing time at the point of purchase – something we can all appreciate when rushing through the self-checkout lane. When it comes to agricultural trade, PLU codes also help exporters and importers consistently and quickly identify and track products across the globe. Whether you purchase a Red Delicious apple in the United States, Mexico, or Vietnam, the PLU code is the same.

    USDA Research Chemist Dr. Gabriel Patterson pours one of the experimental home compostable adhesives to sticker backing during the research process. The team tested more than 100 formulas to determine the top three adhesive (photo by James McManus).

    Unfortunately, PLU labels have also created a sticky situation for composters, the environment, and even U.S. exporters. Why? PLU labels are not biodegradable, which means they contaminate produce that’s tossed in the compost pile or sent to commercial composting facilities. As a result, the produce generally ends up in landfills, which creates more food waste, increases methane emissions, and negatively affects climate change.

    Several countries, led by France and New Zealand, have enacted legislation that will require PLU labels to be certified home compostable. This has posed a challenge for U.S. exporters by creating a trade barrier that puts millions of dollars of U.S. fresh fruit and vegetable exports at risk. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has stepped in to help solve the problem in an effort to help reduce trade barriers and mitigate climate change.

    With research and development funds provided by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service’s (FAS) Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program, FAS and USDA’s Agricultural Research Service are working to produce compostable PLU labels. FAS and ARS are collaborating with the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) and Sinclair Systems International to meet the EU standards. The goal is to develop adhesives that are both food-safe and compostable. When achieved, this will allow American companies to export fruits and vegetables as usual while helping to decrease food waste and methane emissions.

    Scientists at the USDA Western Regional Research Center in Albany, CA apply test and control PLU labels to grapefruits and sweet potatoes to evaluate their effectiveness (photo by James McManus).

    To date, the research team has tested more than 100 formulas to determine the top three adhesives that produce the desired biodegradation process. The team is performing final tests to confirm that these bio-based adhesives pass the home-compostable degradation test. They will then tackle scale-up adhesive coating trials as a key milestone toward commercialization.

    USDA has also coordinated closely with the IFPA on outreach and education to U.S. produce exporters to demonstrate the benefits of greener, environmentally friendly PLU labels and adhesives. Once implemented, the new PLU labels and adhesives will solve a sticky problem for U.S. exporters and ultimately help reduce methane emissions, another step towards more sustainable agricultural production and trade.

  • Farm Labor Contractors ACP Citrus Harvest Compliance Agreements Due June 15

    Announced by the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Division (CPDPD), the CDFA’s Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) quarantine program now requires all harvesters/farm labor contractors (FLCs) – referring to any person/establishment who employs people to perform work related to grove management and/or harvesting commercial citrus fruit – to have a valid compliance agreement to harvest citrus groves.
    FLCs will have until June 15, 2023 to obtain and sign a compliance agreement. Any FLCs operating in citrus groves without a compliance agreement by the June 15th deadline will be in violation of quarantine requirements.
    Compliance agreements can be provided to you by directly reaching out to your local CDFA ACP/HLB Program contact. Completed compliance agreements can be returned to CDFA via local regulatory staff or by email to ACPCompliance@cdfa.ca.gov. Contact details by region can be found below:

    Los Angeles/Orange Counties – Stephanie Fragoso 
    Stephanie.Fragoso@cdfa.ca.gov
    Phone: 323-576-2762

    Riverside/San Bernardino Counties – Christina Huggins
    Christina.Huggins@cdfa.ca.gov
    Phone: 951-880-9447

    San Diego/Imperial Counties – Jemellee Urbino
    Jemellee.Urbino@cdfa.ca.gov
    Phone: 619-698-0211

    San Joaquin Valley – Lea Pereira
    Lea.Pereira@cdfa.ca.gov
    Phone: 559-625-1040

    Ventura County/Central Coast – Nathan Rosenblum
    Nathan.Rosenblum@cdfa.ca.gov
    Phone: 805-437-8726

    CDFA Sacramento HQ
    ACPCompliance@cdfa.ca.gov
    Phone: 916-274-6300

  • CA Valencia Orange Production Forecast At 16.2 Million Cartons

    The March 2022-23 Valencia orange forecast is 16.2 million cartons. This forecast was based on the results of the 2022-23 Valencia Orange Objective Measurement (O.M.) Survey, which was conducted from January 9 to February 28, 2023. Estimated fruit set per tree, fruit diameter, trees per acre, bearing acreage, and oranges per carton were used in the statistical models estimating production.

    The season experienced scattered precipitation in some areas which caused a rainy start to the growing season. Survey data indicated an average fruit set per tree of 616, a 13.9% increase from the previous year and 12.2% above the five-year average of 549. The average March 1 diameter was 2.391 inches, down 2.8% from the previous year and 5.1% below the five-year average of 2.520.

    SURVEY HISTORY

    A Valencia Orange Objective Measurement Survey was conducted from the 1985-86 to 1993-94 seasons before suspension due to a lack of funding. The survey has been conducted since it was reinstated for the 1999-00 season, with the exception of the 2006-07 season due to a substantial freeze. The data from the first three years after the survey was reinstated were used for research purposes in developing crop- estimating models.

    SURVEY SAMPLE

    A sample of 375 Valencia orange groves were randomly selected proportional to acreage, county, year planted, and variety representation in the state, with 340 of these groves being utilized in this survey. Once a grove was randomly chosen and grower permission was granted, two trees were randomly selected for each grove. For each randomly selected tree, its 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 it. This randomly-selected branch, called the terminal branch, was then closely inspected to count all fruit connected to it, 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 it, 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 collected on the right quadrant of four trees surrounding the two sampled trees of every third sampled grove. These measurements were used to estimate an average fruit diameter per tree. The sampled groves were primarily in the top Valencia orange producing counties of Tulare, Kern, Fresno, Ventura, and San Diego.

  • Citrus Mealybug Field Day, May 5

    To teach PCAs about citrus mealybug (an emerging concern for citrus growers) this field day will focus on lectures on pest identification and biology, scouting/monitoring, and management, lecture on ant control.  With this knowledge, PCAs can monitor the fields for mealybug infestation and develop informed management strategies.  Attendees will receive instruction from Sandipa Gautam and David Haviland from the UC Cooperative Extension.  The field day will take place in a citrus block in Ivanhoe, CA.  Growers can register to attend by April 21 HERE, or by emailing sangautam@ucanr.edu.  Attendees should bring a 10x hand lens. An email will be sent out with a location ping to registrants 1-week prior to the event.  3 hours of Other Continuing Education Units are pending approval with CDPR.

    AGENDA

    8:00 a.m. Registration: Ivanhoe citrus block

    8:30-9:30 am

    1. Introduction: The citrus mealybug problem and best management practices (chemical, biological).
    2. Seasonal phenology and monitoring males using pheromone lure (Georgina Reyes)

    9:30 am: Sugar-feeding ants and their management in orchard systems

    10:15 am: Microscope time: Identification of mealybug stages, and parasitism.

    11:00 am: Field demonstration of pesticide trial.

  • Growing Matters Launches Fifth Annual BeSure! Stewardship Campaign to Help Protect Pollinators During Planting Season

    Now in its fifth year, the agriculture industry collaboration led by Growing Matters kicked off its annual BeSure! stewardship awareness campaign to promote best stewardship practices when using neonicotinoid products on farms and urban landscapes. Using a wide range of media channels, the BeSure! campaign reminds growers, crop protection applicators, urban landscape applicators, agricultural supply retailers and others to follow label directions and responsible stewardship measures for neonicotinoid products to minimize any potential impact on pollinators and other wildlife.

    Since its inception in 2019, the BeSure! campaign is estimated to have reached millions of growers and applicators by providing them with access to multiple informational resources to help use crop treatments and plant protection treatments responsibly and avoid exposure to pollinators and wildlife.

    “These past five years of the BeSure! campaign have been a testament to the longstanding, collaborative commitment by the industry to communicate about the importance of care and safety when using treated seed,” said Bethany Shively, Vice President of Strategic Communications at the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA). “When it comes to stewardship, we all have a role to play. We’re proud to partner with BeSure! to extend the reach of our mutual efforts around stewardship – to everyone who treats, handles or plants treated seed.”

    In addition to ASTA, the campaign has been endorsed by the National Pesticide Safety Education Center (NPSEC), National Corn Growers Association, CropLife America, the Agricultural Retailers Association and the American Soybean Association (ASA), among others.

    The food industry depends on crop protection products to meet consumer needs. Along with Brazil, India, and China, the United States ranks as one of the top countries for food production in the world and is also the world’s top food exporter. Neonicotinoids and other crop protection products ensure that growers can continue to grow the U.S. food supply at a sustainable rate, while minimizing risk to surrounding wildlife.

    “Seed treatments, including neonicotinoid products, are an indispensable part of a grower’s toolbox. This vital application type can reduce the amount of pesticide being used and allow the product to be applied in a more environmentally sensitive manner, all while ensuring crops are protected when they are most susceptible to pests,” said Daryl Cates, ASA President and soybean farmer from Illinois. “The BeSure! stewardship program helps increase grower and applicator awareness so they are incorporating seed treatments into their practices safely, responsibly, and yet effectively. The American Soybean Association values its partnership with the Growing Matters coalition through the BeSure! program to achieve these important protections for our wildlife and natural resources.”

    In addition to corn and soybean crops, the BeSure! campaign also includes fruits, nuts, vegetables, turf, trees and ornamental plants that are protected with neonicotinoid products.

    Citrus growers, for example, use crop protection products to combat a deadly disease known as citrus greening. First detected in 2005, citrus greening is the single most serious threat to citrus farming and has shrunk Florida’s citrus production by 80%. Used safely and properly, neonicotinoids can help combat citrus greening by controlling its insect vectors – an ever-crucial tool as citrus demand in the U.S. continues to grow.

    “Honey bees, other wildlife, and all segments of the Florida orange blossom honey industry rely heavily on blossoming citrus trees, and the BeSure! campaign reminds us that we all have a responsibility to protect the biodiversity of our planet through proper stewardship practices,” said Mike Aerts, Vice President of Science and Regulatory Affairs at the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association.

    Growers, applicators and others can go to GrowingMatters.org/BeSure for up-to-date stewardship tips and information. The BeSure! site also includes ASTA’s Guide to Seed Treatment Stewardship, including videos and brochures to show how treated seeds can be used in a way that avoids exposure to pollinators and other wildlife. The site contains a host of links to explain how neonicotinoids applications can be used responsibly, including the comprehensiveInsect Pollinators and Pesticide Product Stewardship Guide. Two downloadable fact sheets with five quick tips to guide best stewardship practices during planting season – one for growers and one for applicators – are also available.

    Over the coming weeks, the campaign will share relevant updates and best stewardship tips via social media content (search using hashtag #BeSure), radio programming, outreach via industry trade groups, and a variety of digital content. For more information, please visit: GrowingMatters.org/BeSure.

    About Growing Matters

    Agriculture and horticulture are key to nourishing families and communities. Feeding a growing population, enhancing the beauty of our surroundings and a sustained commitment to environmental protection are fundamental needs that matter. Crop protection products, both natural and synthetic, are important tools that protect plants from tough and invasive pests that can devastate crops and urban landscapes. Growing Matters is funded by a consortium of companies committed to open and healthy scientific discourse on stewardship, benefits and alternatives to neonicotinoid insecticides in North America. Consortium members include Bayer, Syngenta, Valent U.S.A., BASF, and Mitsui Chemicals Agro, Inc. The BeSure! campaign is also supported by Gowan Company and PBI Gordon Corporation. Go to www.GrowingMatters.org for information, reports, videos and infographics on the benefits of neonicotinoid insecticides.

    About American Seed Trade Association (ASTA)

    Founded in 1883, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) represents over 700 companies involved in seed production, plant breeding and related industries in North America. ASTA is the leading voice of action in all matters concerning the development, marketing and movement of seed, associated products and services throughout the world. The association’s broad membership offers varieties from alfalfa to zucchini and all production types including conventional, organic and biotech. ASTA promotes the development of better seed to produce better crops for a better quality of life. Go to www.betterseed.org.

    About The American Soybean Association

    The American Soybean Association represents U.S. soybean farmers on domestic and international policy issues important to the soybean industry. ASA has 26 affiliated state associations representing 30 soybean-producing states and more than 500,000 soybean farmers. Find more information at soygrowers.com.

    About the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association

    The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) acts as a strong voice for Florida farmers who grow nutritious fruits and vegetables to feed our country. FFVA is the state’s leading full-service specialty crop organization, serving Florida’s grower-shipper community since 1943. We represent a broad range of crops, including vegetables, citrus, tropical fruit, berries, sod, sugar cane, tree crops and more. Our mission is to enhance the business and competitive environment for producing and marketing fruits, vegetables and other crops.

  • Central Coast Olive Oil Competition Registration Now Open

    The Central Coast Olive Oil Competition, hosted annually by the California Mid-State Fair and in partnership with the Lodi Grape Festival, is now accepting entries. The 15th Annual competition will take place in April 2023 and feature olive oil from across the state of California.

    Olive oils are separated into two categories: extra virgin and flavored. The categories are then separated into classes by varietal which have been reorganized for 2023. The panel of competition judges, who are from across the state of California, evaluate each entry according to aroma, taste, and intensity, ranging from delicate to robust. Judges are qualified based on their experience using olive oil in cooking, education and production. The awarded organic oils (if applicable) will be noted as being organically produced.

    The early bird registration period is now through Friday, March 24 and is $65 per entry. From Saturday, March 25 to Sunday, April 2, registration increases to $75 per entry. Register today at https://cmsfw.fairwire.com/

  • Consider Applying For The Avocado Industry Leadership Program

    The Hass Avocado Board is now accepting applications for its yearlong Board Leadership Development program. The program includes customized training to help participants prepare to serve on the boards of avocado industry organizations such as HAB and the California Avocado Commission, among others. The deadline to complete the application is January 31. There are currently 12 open seats.

    The course includes:

    • A curriculum that covers topics ranging from finance and fiduciary duties to understanding the roles of nutrition research and marketing
    • Gaining real-world experience by attending actual board meetings
    • Participating in on-campus instruction at the University of California Davis.
    • A potential trip to Washington, D.C. to meet with the U.S. Department of Agriculture
    • For those interested in leadership opportunities and serving on industry boards, this course provides valuable educational and networking opportunities.

    Applicants must be either a Hass avocado producer or an importer of avocados. For more information, visit the BOLD program website.

  • USDA Announces Record Citrus Purchase

    For the first time, under authority of Section 32 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act Amendment of 1935, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will purchase up to $20 million of fresh mandarins and tangerines for distribution to food banks, schools and other non-conventional markets.

    USDA also announced that it will purchase up to $20 million in oranges and $10 million in grapefruit as well.

    In response to USDA’s announcement, California Citrus Mutual President Casey Creamer made the following statement, “Section 32 is an important procurement program that supports America’s farmers and provides domestic products to communities and schools. Twenty years ago, mandarins trailed all varieties of fresh citrus in per capita U.S. consumption. By 2025, however, it is anticipated that mandarins will overtake oranges as the most-consumed fresh citrus in the U.S.”

    “USDA’s domestic nutrition programs should reflect this significant shift in citrus consumption by ensuring mandarins are made available to schools and food banks. This Section 32 purchase is an excellent first step to introducing mandarins to other procurement and food distribution programs in the future.  California Citrus Mutual applauds the USDA Agriculture Marketing Service for their efforts to bring American grown mandarins and other citrus products to all consumers.”

    The purpose of Section 32 is to encourage domestic consumption of U.S. food products by diverting them from conventional market channels. Information about the purchases, including the official solicitations and procurement specifications, is posted on the Agricultural Marketing Service’s website at www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food.

    About California Citrus Mutual (CCM)

    CCM is a voluntary, non-profit trade association representing California citrus growers on the economic, regulatory, and political issues that impact them most.

  • Preventing Alternate Bearing Patterns And Freeze/Frost Protection (Avocado Field Day)

    The California Avocado Commission will host a grower field day at Pine Tree Ranch in Santa Paula on January 25, 2023 from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

    During the event, California avocado growers will have an opportunity to meet CAC’s new president, Jeff Oberman. In addition, Tim Spann of Spann Ag Research & Consulting and Ben Faber, UC Farm Advisor, will lead a discussion on cultural management practices specific to the winter 2023 season. The topics will include:

    • Preventing severe alternate bearing patterns. Many groves have a very light crop for the 2023 season, which can lead to trees becoming set in a severe alternate bearing pattern. Discussion will center on cultural management practices to alleviate this problem.
    • Post-freeze/frost grove care. Winter brings with it the risks of frosts and freezes. Presenters will focus on best practices for managing groves after frosts and freezes have occurred.

    Attendees are encouraged to ask questions about concerns they are facing within their own groves and are welcome to walk through the various grove plantings at Pine Tree Ranch.

  • Federal Funding for New Citrus Breeding Program in Parlier, California

    California Citrus Mutual (CCM) and the Citrus Research Board (CRB) welcome more than $1 million in new federal funding for critical research programs that support the U.S. and California citrus industries.

    The 2023 Appropriations bill passed by Congress recently includes continued funding to help stop the deadly citrus plant disease Huanglonging (HLB) that has devastated citrus production in Florida and other parts of the country. Additionally, $1 million in new funding was approved to establish a citrus breeding program at the USDA Agriculture Research Service (ARS) field station in Parlier, California. This funding will be re-appropriated annually.

    Championed by California Senator Alex Padilla and Representatives Jim Costa and David Valadao, the new California citrus breeding program will identify new citrus varieties that are best suited for changing climatic pressures such as drought, consumer taste preferences, and resistant to pests and diseases such as HLB.

    The program is an expansion of the existing national USDA ARS citrus breeding program located in Florida, which is focused primarily on varieties that are optimized for Florida growing conditions. The Florida program has resulted in new varieties with higher yields, increased disease resistance, improved color, and a longer shelf life.

    With such promising advances being made in Florida, CCM and the CRB saw the need for a similar program in California to breed fresh citrus varieties that are better adapted to the unique environmental conditions of California’s production regions.

    The CRB, which is a grower-funded organization aimed at furthering the industry’s research priorities, has committed $500,000 toward establishing the new breeding program in Parlier, with the goal of bringing additional representation to California’s industry.

    “The commitment of the citrus industry to delivering quality research and innovation for all farm use has taken a big step forward with the support of congress funding the citrus breeding program in Parlier,” said Justin Brown, CRB Chairman.

    Marcy L. Martin, CRB President, added, “Expanding the current national citrus breeding program into California will have a significant impact on California’s citrus industry as growers aim to mitigate the evolving issues that affect production and increase yield through varietal research.”

    The Florida and California breeding programs along with the continued efforts of the University of California citrus breeding program at UC Riverside will work together to deliver the best results for California citrus growers.

    “The addition of the breeding facility in Parlier will make the ARS Citrus Program a truly national project,” said CCM President and CEO Casey Creamer. “We look forward to watching the growth of this program and its collaboration with the UC breeding program to find solutions to the issues California citrus growers are faced with every day.”

    Additionally, the 2023 Federal budget includes continued funding for the Citrus Health Response Program, which supplements industry and state funding for on-the-ground efforts aimed at preventing the spread of the HLB and continued funding for the Huanglongbing Multi-Agency Coordination group, which funds research programs aimed at identifying short term solutions to HLB.

    About California Citrus Mutual (CCM)

    CCM is a voluntary, non-profit trade association representing CA citrus growers on the economic, regulatory, and political issues that impact them most.

    About the Citrus Research Board (CRB)

    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.