2014 Florida Citrus Show Draws Hundreds Seeking Answers In Greening Fight
Ft. PIerce, FL (PRWEB) January 31, 2014 -- With the challenge of citrus greening present in every grove in the state, growers are hungry for information about how to live with the disease and progress being made by researchers to find long-term solutions to the problem. The disease, first confirmed in Florida in 2005, currently has no cure and eventually leads to tree death. The massive fruit drop caused by greening the past two seasons has only heightened the desire for more knowledge and the opportunity to share experiences with peers.
The Show’s education program highlighted many areas of importance to the state’s citrus growers including decisions on replanting, Asian citrus psyllid (the greening vector) control, promising new rootstocks, and how advanced technology can aid in the fight against greening. The educational program was developed by UF/IFAS and featured 26 presentations from leading experts in citrus production and marketing.
“We tried to build a program to help growers learn where we stand in terms greening and other challenges,” says Brian Boman, an ag engineer with UF/IFAS. “The program also provided strategies that can be applied in groves today to deal with the disease and looked ahead to new research that will hopefully ensure a viable future for our state’s signature crop.”
On the tradeshow floor, nearly 100 exhibitors displayed products and services growers need to produce a successful crop. The floor was busy with interactive activities and prize drawings. New to the show this year was a food truck rally to feed hungry attendees.
“We all are so busy with our own companies, it’s great to go to a well-organized and attended event to network with others and hear the latest and greatest news on greening and other industry issues,” says Jerry Newlin, vice president of operations for Orange-Co. “The Show reinforced that our industry is as united as ever in the battle against greening and that we continue to turn over every stone in an attempt to find survival strategies.”
“It was gratifying to see the culmination of months of hard work to come together with a top-notch event for our citrus growers,” says Frank Giles, editor of Florida Grower magazine. “The event planners went the extra mile this year to bring fresh ideas to the Citrus Show and it was evident by the great attendance and energy throughout the two days we shared together.”
To learn more about the event, visit CitrusShow.com.
Frank Giles, Meister Media Worldwide, +1 407-539-6552 Ext: 12, [email protected]
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