All In For Citrus, Episode 10 June 2019

June's All In for Citrus Podcast is filled with updates on University of Florida citrus research

First, Michael Rogers focuses on a recent Florida visit by some USDA administrators who make the decisions on how millions of dollars in Farm Bill citrus research money are allocated. He explains that the visit was very valuable for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture officials because they got to learn what research growers need, and what research is already being conducted.

Following that, Kelly Morgan, Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC) director, gives listeners an update on citrus research happening at the center. Morgan was a guest on the first All In for Citrus Podcast in 2018 where he laid the framework of what was to come for the center in 2019, and this month he gives a break down on how those projects are going so far.

Lastly, Ozgur Batuman, assistant professor of citrus pathology at SWFREC, talks about a project he's been working on since he came on the SWFREC staff in 2016. The project revolves around creating a robotic arm that can help citrus growers apply chemicals in their groves. He discusses the beginnings of the project and how it may be a game changer in growers' production systems.

A reminder that grower registration for the 2019 Citrus Expo is now open! The Citrus Expo will be held August 14-15 at the Lee civic center in North Fort Myers, Florida. All registered growers will automatically be entered to win a John Deere gun safe courtesy of Everglades Equipment Group. Visit CitrusExpo.net to register and find more information.