Florida’s 2016 state budget included $8 million to help combat citrus greening and another $14.7 million for a citrus health response program within the state’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
“Citrus growers are learning to live with greening through improved management tactics such as enhanced nutrition programs and bio-stimulants,” explains Dr. Frank Sances, president of Florida Ag Research. Part of the Pacific Ag Group based in California, Florida’s branch was established in 2006 to conduct crop production research for private industry, grower groups and government.
FRESH FORUM
Prior to Irma, what has challenged your business the most?Jimmy Myrick, Edward L. Myrick Produce, Inc.
The biggest challenge for us is the shrinking customer base. With the amount of consolidation in chain stores these days, instead of having a larger base of customers, many have left.Lisa Lochridge, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association
Lack of an adequate workforce continues to be one of the biggest challenges producers face. It’s getting tougher and tougher for growers to find sufficient workers when they need them.Jim Shepherd, Gulfshore Produce, Inc.
Competition; trying to keep up with the Joneses… It’s a very competitive industry.Jay Johnson, JGL Produce Company, Inc.
The number-one challenge is labor. Things may change, but I don’t know what the solution will be—[perhaps] a combination of automation, mechanization, and some sort of guest worker program.Joel S. Figueroa, Joco Produce, Inc.
Unequivocally, it has been keeping up with ever-changing food safety stipulations.Joel Silverman, Paradise Produce Distributors, Inc.
Filling orders with fewer suppliers, more competition from Mexico, fewer quality houses to buy from. Everybody is buying from the same smaller group of people, so you have a decreased supply at production level—but that doesn’t necessarily reflect a higher market.Jon Browder, Pioneer Growers Cooperative, Inc.
Over the last few years, it seems labor has been the most challenging part of the produce industry, and I don’t believe it will get any easier.Amber Maloney, Wish Farms
Over the last few years, labor continues to be a challenge for all strawberry production. With the potential addition of Harvest CROO Robotics, farmers will be able to grow the same way they always have, and will have consistent means to pack ready-to-pick strawberries.
“We’re a new product development research group with 12 research centers around the country,” explains Sances. “In Florida, we work with manufacturers developing new patented controls for the Asian citrus psyllid and the bacteria that causes Huanglongbing disease.”
