Disease and devastation has caused a major Florida orange grower to close its operation

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.

Related Stories
Canada’s new voluntary Grocery Sector Code of Conduct will take effect on Jan. 1, a goodwill effort to promote fairness and transparency between retailers and support farms that sell directly to stores.
Small, locally focused wineries are finding resilience through direct sales and regional loyalty rather than scale alone.
Pork producers warn that proposed definitions of “ultra-processed” food in guidelines from the “Make America Healthy Again” plan could negatively impact industry-standard bacon, sausage, and feed practices.
Concerns over Chronic Wasting Disease are fueling a long-standing legal battle between Minnesota regulators and deer farmers. The case could soon reach the state’s Supreme Court with broader implications for agriculture.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) are praising the passage of a bill to delist gray wolves as an endangered species by the U.S. House last week.
USDA Undersecretary Luke Lindberg told RFD-TV News that we can only guess what Congress will do down the road. Still, the USDA recognizes its responsibility to spend resources efficiently and effectively.