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10 CapitalPress.com April 15, 2016 Tiny pest a big worry for citrus growers By JULIA HOLLISTER For the Capital Press In addition to the drought, something else has been on the minds of California citrus growers — a tiny insect that threatens the industry. The four-year drought has been a challenge, said Kevin Severns, general manager of the Orange Cove-Sanger Cit- rus Association. “The industry lost 15K acres over the past three years BUYING or SELLING Orchard, Nut or Vineyard Property? Your best pick is FarmSeller.com More than 1080 rural property listings from 70 rural property professionals. • Ag Businesses • Farm Properties • Orchards & Vineyards • Berries • Hobby Farms • Ranch Properties • Crops • Large & Small Acreage • Recreational / Resort • Livestock • Rural Residential • Nursery/Greenhouse • Timber • Dairies Buyers can search by type, price, location, acreage, bedrooms, baths, crops, livestock, water, irrigation and more. BROKERS: for more information contact your Capital Press sales rep today 800-882-6789 farmseller@capitalpress.com ONV16-4/#13 due to the drought. But we have had a good year so far with the rain and snowfall,” he said. “We are not water hogs,” Severns said. But Severns said the tiny Asian citrus psyllid has grow- ers worried as much as the water supply. “It is a winged insect that is similar in size to an aphid or smaller so it’s hard to see unless you know what you are looking for,” he said. “It has been in California since 2008.” The pest can carry Huan- glongbing (HLB), a disease that could wipe out the citrus industry. It infects the tree by feeding on it, similar to the way a mosquito infects hu- mans with malaria.” The good news is almost every place in California has tested negative for the dis- ease. A $25 million state pro- gram — funded by grower assessments — helps educate homeowners who have citrus trees in their backyards to re- port anything suspicious. Severns said the other frus- trating concern is that a tree can be infected several years before it tests positive for the disease. “HLB is in every citrus growing area of Florida,” he said. “The state’s production Courtesy of Orange Cove-Sanger Citrus Association Kevin Severns, general man- ager of Orange Cove-Sanger Citrus Association, says the tiny Asian citrus psyllid is causing more concern among California citrus growers than the drought. is in free-fall because of the disease and is now less than 40 percent of what it once was.” In an effort to combat the disease, the USDA is using a little wasp imported from Pa- kistan. Over 270,000 acres are planted to citrus in California, and 80 percent of the crop is consumed domestically, he said. Growers are happy with the export markets, Severns said. California sends citrus to Japan, South Korea, Singa- pore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and, surprisingly, China, the biggest citrus producer in the world. “We are better equipped with our infrastructure and farming practices than China and we have a better product,” he said. “We are fortunate to have a unique climate that nurtures fruit with brilliant flavors. No place in the world can grow the quality of lem- ons due to dry, hot summers and cool, wet winters.” “In many respects, Califor- nia is the Promised Land,” he said. “But, there are some dark clouds gathering and we have to protect what we have.” Orange Cove-Sanger Cit- rus Association is a cooper- ative citrus packing house in Fresno County, Calif. The cooperative is owned by more than 50 producers who market their citrus crops through Sunkist Growers Inc. The current association was formed in 1973 by the consolidation of the Orange Cove Citrus Association, which was founded in 1916, and Sanger Citrus Associa- tion, founded in 1920. It currently serves more than 4,300 member acres in Fresno, Kern, Madera and Tulare counties and packs and sells navel, Valencia and Cara Cara oranges and Minneola tangelos. Row Mulch Spreaders For All Growers Whatcom Manufacturing’s Mulch Spreaders are specifically engineered for fast, easy and precise mulch application. Whether it’s for moisture evaporation, weed control, amendments for enhancing soil tilth, the Whatcom Manufacturing Mulch Spreader saves time and money. Created with your needs in mind, they are available in multiple sizes with numerous options and features. They are built to accommodate all applications using mulch, sawdust shaving, manure, solids, gyspum, organic compost, wood chips, etc. Whatcom Manufacturing Inc. Lynden, WA 360-354-3094 www.whatcommfg.com info@whatcommfg.com ONV16-4/#24
