A major Florida orange grower is closing its operation after several challenging seasons.
Alico Incorporated says that after harvest last year, its 3,000 acre citrus operation will be taken over by third-party caretakers through 2026.
The company says that its citrus production fell by 73% over the past decade, challenged by hurricanes, and citrus greening disease.
The company says that a quarter of its land will be slotted for development projects.
Citrus greening disease has had widespread impact on the Florida citrus industry, causing nearly 75% of the industry’s losses.
Scientists at the University of Florida are working towards a solution.
UF Scientists are currently researching a new type of citrus tree that may be able to fight off the insects responsible for spreading citrus greening. The genetically edited tree has been tested in labs and greenhouses, but is considered one of the most promising potential solutions to date.
Scientists say that they hope to begin testing the trees in fields in about a year.
Ag leaders say President Donald Trump’s State of the Union is unlikely to spark major agriculture headlines, but ongoing tariff uncertainty and trade policy remain key concerns, as does the debate around glyphosate and the status of the next Farm Bill.
February 24, 2026 11:57 AM
·
Cotton jassid, a invasive pest, is raising concerns for Southeast cotton growers as experts work to understand its impact this season.
February 24, 2026 09:00 AM
·
February 23, 2026 02:16 PM
Border closures tied to the threat of New World Screwworm continue to stall Mexican fed cattle imports, tightening U.S. feeder cattle supplies over time — triggering feedlot closures that hinder herd rebuilding efforts, threaten the beef supply chain, and shrink production while consumer prices stay elevated.
February 23, 2026 01:40 PM
·
Brooks York of AgriSompo discusses projected prices and how farmers are adapting their crop insurance strategies as the price discovery period comes to a close.
February 23, 2026 12:32 PM
·
Ranger Road Fire has burned 283,000 acres across Kansas and the Oklahoma Panhandle and is nearing containment, as ranchers begin assessing cattle and infrastructure losses as they look toward recovery.
February 23, 2026 11:08 AM
·
