2024 Citrus Health Forum – February 22

 

Commercial citrus growers across the Florida Panhandle and Southern Georgia are invited to attend the 2024 Citrus Health Forum. This meeting will be held at the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC) in Quincy, Florida (155 Research Road, Quincy, FL 32351), on Thursday, February 22, 2024. Registration and a tradeshow with vendors from the citrus industry will open at 8:30 AM (EST), with the meeting to begin at 9:00 AM (EST).

This event will focus on current data from the commercial industry. Topics to be discussed will include inoculum reduction for controlling HLB (citrus greening), recent advances in research on HLB and ACP controls performed by the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center, new citrus variety information, improved water and nutrient management, and more. There will also be a citrus grove tour at NFREC with a pruning demonstration instructed by faculty from the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research & Education Center. At the end of our program, the annual meeting of the Cold Hardy Citrus Association will be held at 2:30 PM (EST). Growers will have the opportunity to earn Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) and pesticide applicator CEUs with their attendance.

Pre-registration is required for this event to guarantee your lunch will be included. Admission is $10 per person. Day-of registrations will be accepted, if space is available. Register online at http://24CitrusHealthForum.eventbrite.com. For any questions or concerns, please contact Abbey Payne at 850-482-9620 or payne.abigail@ufl.edu.

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The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact payne.abigail@ufl.edu at least 2 weeks in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs. 

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Agenda

8:30 AM- Registration & Tradeshow Opens

9:00 AM- Welcome: Abbey Payne, UF/IFAS Extension Jackson County Commercial & Environmental Horticulture Agent, Dr. Xavier Martini & Dr. Muhammad Shahid, UF/IFAS NFREC

9:05 AM- Introduction: Dr. Dean Pringle, UF/IFAS NFREC Center Director

9:10 AM- Why is Inoculum Reduction Essential for Controlling HLB?: Dr. Renato Beozzo Bassanezi, Fund for Citrus Protection, Araraquara, Brazil

9:40 AM- Recent Advances on HLB & ACP Research at the Citrus Research & Education Center: Dr. Michael Rogers, UF/IFAS CREC

10:10 AM- What Happened to Citrus Pests Following the Last Major Freeze?: Dr. Xavier Martini, UF/IFAS NFREC

10:40 AM- Tradeshow Break

11:10 AM- Important Considerations and Guidelines for Establishing a New Citrus Grove: Dr. Muhammad Shahid, UF/IFAS NFREC

11:40 AM- Improved Nutrient & Water Management for Sustainable Citrus Production: Dr. Davie Kadyampakeni, UF/IFAS CREC

12:10 PM- Sponsored Lunch

1:30 PM- Grove Tour, New Variety Information, and Pruning Training: Dr. Shahid & Dr. Fernando Alferez, UF/IFAS SWFREC

2:30 PM Cold Hardy Citrus Association Meeting