First, events providing growers with starter nutrition sampling kits went so well this month that an extra event has been added for next month, reports Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) Director Michael Rogers. Another well-attended event that he discusses was the CREC Plant Improvement Team’s first fruit display of the season. Rogers explains the value of the fruit displays for growers and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).

Next, UF/IFAS post-harvest specialist Mark Ritenour at the Indian River Research and Education Center has been evaluating the quality and shelf life of new mandarins and sweet oranges. He breaks down the results of his studies in this month's program.

Then, Lauren Diepenbrock, UF/IFAS CREC entomologist, provides an update on the long-horned beetle found in Hendry County in September. She says breaking limbs in groves are a key indicator of the pest’s presence. Diepenbrock notes that treatment options are limited because the pest is in the wood, but she suggests a prevention technique.

Finally, Georgios Vidalakis from the University of California Riverside works extensively with California's citrus industry in the fight against citrus greening. He recently made a visit to the Sunshine State, where he spoke with University of Florida researchers and local growers. In the podcast, he discusses his Florida trip and his hopes for both states’ citrus industries.