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This story profiles Bill Castle and his extensive work in Florida's citrus industry.
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New Florida-grown hops could satiate the thirsty craft brew industry as well as offset citrus farmers’ low yields.
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The citrus industry is "in a struggle for our survival," facing its worst growing season in a half-century due in large part to citrus greening disease. The Florida Citrus Commission will start building a budget for next fiscal year that projects a much-smaller crop than in the current year.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture's monthly forecast predicted that this year's Florida orange harvest will be enough to fill an estimated 71 million boxes, an increase of 2 million boxes from February. But, even with the revised forecast, the season remains on pace to be the worst for the citrus industry in five decades.
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The outlook for production of Florida oranges, the state's signature crop, continues to drop. For the second consecutive month, the Florida orange-harvest forecast for the 2015-2016 growing season was adjusted down Wednesday by the National Agricultural Statistics Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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A disease called laurel wilt has been eating at Florida's avocado industry for years, but University of Florida researchers may have found a way to help farmers detect the disease early.
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Although Marty Werts' Melrose farm has remained untouched by disease, the Florida citrus industry has faced devastating effects in the last decade due to citrus greening, citrus canker and declining sales. Even with $9.5 million allocated for citrus greening research by the Florida State Legislature between 2013 and 2014, all citrus trees are still dying faster than they are being replanted.
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The Trans-Pacific Partnership is up for a vote in Congress, and if passed, will cut tariffs on Florida's exports. For consumers, this could lower prices on products like beef and citrus.
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Described as one of the worst diseases to ever hit Florida orange groves, citrus greening is costing the state's general fund $5.75 million. If the disease is not curbed it could be detrimental to Florida's agriculture and economy.
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The bill would allow farmers to use a strain of cannabis as a cash crop that would be used to produce industrial items, like textiles. The strains would have much lower levels of THC than those used for medical or recreational purposes. If passed, the law would take effect on July 1.