Florida’s citrus growers are getting some much-needed good news. First it was the announcement of the Citrus Grove Renovation/Re-establishment Support Program in late August. That’s a program aimed at helping citrus growers to renovate their citrus groves by sharing a portion of the costs of replanting and upgrading. Then, in early September, it was the news that one bactericide—oxytetracycline—showed real promise in stopping citrus greening during a UF/IFAS study. Now, it’s the passage of the Emergency Citrus Disease Response Act of 2016, offering Florida citrus growers another resource in the fight against the citrus disease Huanglongbing, or HLB, also known as citrus greening.
Details of the Emergency Citrus Disease Response Act
The Emergency Citrus Disease Response Act was passed by the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee in mid-September. The act is meant to work as another incentive to Florida’s citrus growers to replant citrus groves depleted by citrus greening. The act actually changes the IRS code, working as a tax incentive. It will allow growers to immediately expense the costs of planting new citrus trees. Prior to the passage of the Emergency Citrus Disease Response Act, growers would have had to expense planting costs over the course of 14 years under a standard depreciated expense. The Emergency Citrus Disease Response Act will be in effect for 10 years.
Response to the Emergency Citrus Disease Response Act
The passage of the act was applauded in every group and government agency. Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam issued a press release thanking all who were involved in creating and supporting the act. Florida Citrus Mutual’s Mike Sparks, executive vice president/CEO, maintained that the act would go far in helping to replant the estimated 20 million new citrus trees that must be installed in the next 10 years to keep Floridas citrus a viable industry.
Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.