Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Economic research into citrus mechanical harvesting has included an analysis of equipment performance, gleaner/worker productivity, effects on crop yield by harvest method, harvest scheduling logistics, and an estimation of economic benefits from abscission agent application. Preliminary results have been reported and presented at the annual meeting of the Florida State Horticultural Society and to the Florida Dept. of Citrus Harvesting Research Council. Further, results have been presented to international audiences in Brazil, Mexico, and China. Since 2004, a grower field day/workshop on citrus mechanical harvesting has been organized at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee, Florida. Attendance to the field days average more than 60 growers and industry representative. Field trials to measure the efficacy and performance of CMNP, an abscission compound have been conducted in conjunction with horticultural scientists at the University of Florida. A white paper on abscission agent application and specifically on how CMNP could enhance the economic potential of mechanical harvesting has been drafted and will become part the USEPA registration package for CMNP. A web based decision aid tool was developed for growers to compare net costs of harvesting by hand and various mechanical options. An outreach/extension component has been an important objective complimenting the research elements. Dissemination of information regarding mechanical harvesting continues to focus around the Citrus Mechanical Harvesting website (http://citrusMH.ifas.ufl.edu). Launched in June 2006, the site was designed to be the central distribution point of information for the UF/IFAS citrus mechanical harvesting project. The site has been enhanced with video clips that highlight existing and previously built experimental equipment and a searchable electronic publication database that includes more than 350 publications related to mechanical harvesting and abscission agent application. The website averages more than 2,000 visits a month. In addition to the website, monthly articles on mechanical harvesting were written and placed in one of two trade journals that are widely read by Florida citrus growers. PARTICIPANTS: Participants: Ron Muraro, UF/IFAS faculty, co-PI Tom Spreen, UF/IFAS faculty, co-PI Jackie Burns, UF/IFAS faculty, co-PI Jim Syvertsen, UF/IFAS faculty, co-PI Kelly Morgan, UF/IFAS faculty, co-PI Robert Rouse, UF/IFAS faculty, co-PI Reza Ehsani, UF/IFAS faculty, co-PI Barbara Hyman, UF/TEAMS, Educational Coordinator Buddy Walker, UF/TEAMS, website support Partner organization: Florida Department of Citrus and the Harvesting Research Advisory Council TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audience is Florida citrus growers, processors, and harvesting companies. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
More than 31,000 acres of oranges were mechanically harvested in 2007/08. The volume of oranges mechanically harvested exceeded 9 million, 90-pound boxes. Mechanically harvested acreage has been steadily increasing since 1999, but remains at only 7% of the total sweet orange acreage. Mechanical harvesting systems have been shown to reduce harvest costs on prepared groves by more than 25-cents per box, or more than $100 per acre. With the incorporation of an effective fruit abscission compound, late-season Valencia oranges can be harvested without yield losses and substantially improve machine efficiencies. With abscission and greater grower adoption rates, harvest cost savings are projected to decline by nearly 75-cents per box, a 50-percent reduction in current costs. A 10-fold increase in labor productivity associated with mechanical systems should reduce dependence on immigrant workers to harvest the Florida citrus crop. Many of the current migrant workers are in the United States without legal documentation.
Publications
- Blanco, G., F. Roka, J. Burns, and R. Kilmer. 2009. The Economic Value of Abscission for Mechanically Harvest Late-Season Valencia Oranges. Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society, volume 121:in press.
- Roka, F.M. and B.R. Hyman. 2009. Gleaning after citrus mechanical harvesting, Labor productivity. 44th Annual Meeting of the Caribbean Food Crops Society Miami, Florida July 15-19, 2008, in press.
- Roka, F.M., J. Burns, J. Syvertsen, and R Ebel. 2008. Benefits of an Abscission Agent in Mechanical Harvesting of Citrus. EDIS FE752, University of Florida Electronic Data Information System, http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/.
- Roka, F.M. 2008. A Decision-Aid Tool to Compare Costs of Mechanical Harvesting Systems. EDIS FE751, University of Florida Electronic Data Information System, http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/.
- Spann, T.M., J.K. Burns, F.M. Roka, B.R. Hyman, J.P. Syvertsen, M.D. Danyluk, and R. Ehsani. 2008. Mechanical Harvesting, The 2006-07 harvest season. Citrus Industry Magazine (March 2008): 27-30.
- Searcy, J., F. Roka, and T. Spreen. 2009. Scheduling the Harvest of Florida Oranges to Maximize Juice Production. Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society, volume 121:in press.
|
Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Yield data from 50+ citrus blocks were collected to develop a 10-year production record on each block. Half the blocks are mechanically harvested, while the remaining blocks have been hand picked. The goal of the study is to determine whether the yield histories indicate any adverse effect on production from mechanical harvesting. A second research study was initiated to develop a model to analyze the logistics of fruit harvest with processing and storage activities at processing plants. The model will identify and estimate the magnitude of any trade-offs between harvest cost savings from mechanical harvesters with likely impacts in processing and storage operations at the processing plants. Dissemination of information regarding mechanical harvesting continues to focus around the Citrus Mechanical Harvesting website (http://citrusMH.ifas.ufl.edu). Begun in June 2006, the site was designed to be the central distribution point of information for the UF/IFAS citrus mechanical
harvesting project. During 2007, the site was enhanced with new materials including video clips that highlight existing and previously built experimental equipment. The website averages more than 2,000 visits a month. In addition to the website, monthly articles on mechanical harvesting were written and placed in one of two trade journals that are widely read by Florida citrus growers. Two field days were organized (January 17 and April 18, 2007) to demonstrate harvesting equipment and the use of the abscission compound CMNP. Approximately 120 people attended the field days.
PARTICIPANTS: Ron Muraro, UF IFAS faculty, co-PI Tom Spreen, UF IFAS faculty, co-PI Jackie Burns, UF IFAS faculty, co-PI Jim Syvertsen, UF IFAS faculty, co-PI Kelly Morgan, UF IFAS faculty, co-PI Robert Rouse, UF IFAS faculty, co-PI Reza Ehsani, UF IFAS faculty, co-PI Barbara Hyman, UF TEAMS, Educational Coordinator Buddy Walker, UF TEAMS, website support
TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include Florida citrus growers, harvesting companies, and representatives of citrus processing operations.
Impacts
More than 35,000 acres of oranges were mechanically harvested in 2006/07, an increase of 23 percent above 2005/06 levels. Mechanical harvesting systems have been shown to reduce harvest costs on prepared groves by more than 25-cents per box, or more than $100 per acre. With the incorporation of an effective fruit abscission compound, late-season Valencia oranges can be harvested without yield losses and substantially improve machine efficiencies. With abscission and greater grower adoption rates, harvest cost savings are projected to decline by nearly 75-cents per box, a 50-percent reduction in current costs. A 10-fold increase in labor productivity associated with mechanical systems should reduce dependence on immigrant workers to harvest the Florida citrus crop. Many of the current migrant workers are in the United States without legal documentation.
Publications
- Searcy, J., F.M. Roka, and T.H. Spreen. 2007. Optimal Harvest Time of Florida Valencia Oranges to Maximize Grower Returns. Journal of Agriculture & Applied Economics 39(2): 516. Roka, F.M. 2006. Labor Requirements in Florida Citrus. Florida Citrus: A Comprehensive Guide, SP-278. D.P.H. Tucker, J.S. Rogers, E.W. Stover, and M.R. Ziegler, editors. IFAS Communication Services, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. December 2006. pp. 323-329. Searcy, J., F. Roka, and T. Spreen. 2008. Reconciling Grower and Processor Objectives when Deciding to Harvest Juice Oranges. Proceeding of the Fla. State. Hort. Soc. 120(2007): in press. Roka, F.M. 2007. Harvesting Economics,Possibilities and Challenges. Proceeding of the Fla. State. Hort. Soc. 119(2006): 206-209. Roka, F.M. 2007. IFAS mechanical harvesting final report, grower education and economic studies. June 17, 2007, SWFREC, Immokalee, Florida. Roka, F.M. and R. Ehsani. 2007. Labor savings from new technologies. Citrus
Industry 88(7):10-11, July. Roka, F
|
Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06
Outputs
With the suspension of the citrus canker eradication program (Jan 2006) and the discovery of citrus greening in commercial groves (Oct 2005), the UF Food and Resource Economics Dept. initiated a study to assess the long-term economic viability of the Florida citrus industry. The study considered likely production impacts from disease to forecast a 15-year projection of production and market price. Particular attention was paid to the recovery of the citrus nursery industry, as it was shut down during canker eradication efforts. Long-term economic viability of the industry appears strong, so long as current market prices prevail for the next 5-10 years. The consequences of the new rules requiring nursery propagations to be done within protected structures will likely double the cost of nursery trees (from $4.00 to >$8.00 per tree) and create a shortage of nursery trees for at least the next three years. Investment and enhancement of mechanical harvesting systems have
become even more imperative as a means to offset the increase in grove production costs combating canker and greening. In July 2005, the Florida legislature committed $1.25M toward research and education into citrus mechanical harvesting as part of the Citrus Initiative. A grower education program was begun to promote awareness and disseminate scientific research about mechanical harvesting. A website (http//citrus MH.ifas.ufl.edu) was developed and activated on June 1, 2006. Research and education activities of 12 UF faculty are consolidated into six parts of the website. A database of more than 250 research articles on mechanical harvesting and abscission was compiled. The database is searchable by journal, decade, and author and papers are available in electronic format. A Field day and workshop, held on April 6, 2006, attracted more than 70 growers. Participants saw trunk and canopy shakers in commercial groves, a demonstration of abscission, and heard presentations on tree
health, machine developments, and advances in abscission agents. A web based decision aid model (http://www.citrustool.ifas.ufl.edu) was developed from previous analysis and field data. The tool allows a user to input grove specific information and harvest cost data by system to determine the most cost effective method. A graduate student began outlining a PhD dissertation on analyzing logistics among growers, harvesters, and processors in the scheduling of harvest. 12 interviews were conducted among fruit purchasers, managers of processing plants and harvesting companies. These interviews, and others, will provide a framework upon which an economic model will be developed. Hurricane Wilma (Oct 26, 2006) disrupted abscission field trials that were initiated in June 2005. These field trials were re-established to monitor long-term yield impacts from abscission and "late-season" mechanical harvesting. Two additional field trials were conducted to evaluate sprayer technology and spray
dosage of the abscission agent CMNP.
Impacts
The FRED Economic Assessment of the Florida citrus industry provided some measure of confidence that a positive future exists for the industry. It also provided an outline on which subsequent analysis can test whether or not the production and price forecasts are realistic. The increase in production and grove care costs to combat canker and greening serve to emphasize the importance of successfully implementing cost reduction mechanical harvesting systems.
Publications
- Refereed Journal Articles: Burns, J.K., F.M. Roka, K-T Li, L. Pozo, and R.S. Buker. 2006. Late-season Valencia Orange Mechanical Harvesting with an Abscission Agent and Low-frequency Harvesting. HortScience 41(3):660-663.
- Burns, J.K., R.S. Buker, and F.M. Roka. 2005. Mechanical Harvesting Capacity in Sweet Oranges is Increased with an Abscission Agent. HortTechnology 15(4):758-765.
- Refereed Abstracts: Muraro, R.P., F.M. Roka, and T.H. Spreen. 2006. The Phantom Costs of Floridas Citrus Industry. Journal of Agriculture & Applied Economics 38(2):***, February 7, 2006, Orlando, Florida.
- Proceedings (non refereed): Roka, F.M., J.K. Burns, and R.S. Buker. 2005. Mechanical Harvesting without Abscission Agents, Yield Impacts on Late Season Valencia Oranges. Proceeding of the Fla. State. Hort. Soc. 118(2005):25-27.
- Project Reports: Roka, F.M., R.E. Rouse, and K.T. Morgan. 2006. IFAS mechanical harvesting final report, grower education and economic studies. June 12, 2006, SWFREC, Immokalee, Florida.
- Spreen, T.H., R.E. Barber, M.G. Brown, A.W. Hodges, J.C. Malugen, W.D. Mulkey, R.P. Muraro, R.P. Norberg, M. Rahmani, F.M. Roka, and R.E. Rouse. 2006. An Economic Assessment of the Future Prospects for the Florida Citrus Industry. Special report at the request of Dr. Jimmy Cheek, Senior V.P., Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, March 16, 2006.
- Peer-Reviewed Extension Publications: Roka, F., R. Rouse, St. Futch, and R. Muraro. 2006. Hurricanes and the Harvesting Decision. EDIS FE 624. Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. March 2006.
- Muraro, R.P., F.M. Roka, and R.E. Rouse. 2006. Budgeting Costs and Returns for Southwest Florida Citrus Production, 2004-05. EDIS FE 631. Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. June 2006.
- Articles in Trade Journals: Rouse, R.E. and F.M. Roka. 2006. Citrus in Transitional Times. Citrus Industry 87(8): 9. August 2006.
|
Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
Work progressed on adapting mechanical harvesting systems to Florida groves, estimating compliance costs of regulations by citrus operations, and assessing the economic impact of a South Florida Water Management project involving removal of 9,000 acres of citrus for a water storage facility. Field trials with the abscission compound CMNP targeted machine settings along with dosage rates. Preliminary results indicate that application of CMNP would allow a significant reduction in machine force during the late season Valencia harvest, thereby allowing the removal of mature fruit without negatively impacting the green, immature crop for next year. New University of Florida research and extension team organized with new state funding for mechanical harvesting. Six research categories are outlined and a comprehensive extension programming effort was imitated Fall 2005. A survey of 25 citrus growers, collectively representing 20% of the total Florida acreage, was completed
estimating the compliance costs of regulations. Cost survey solicited time requirement by various farm personnel to comply with Labor, Chemical, Water, and Pest Management. Total compliance costs were estimated to be more than $30 per acre annually.
Impacts
Adaptation of mechanical harvesting systems has been shown to reduce harvest costs on prepared groves by more than 25-cents per box, or more than $100 per acre. With the successful harvest of the late-season Valencia crop and lower costs with improved use efficiencies, harvest cost savings are project to decline by nearly 75-cents per box. Lower overall net cost of production is essential for the Florida citrus industry to compete in the world orange juice market.
Publications
- Burns, J.K., R.S. Buker, and F.M. Roka. 2005. Mechanical harvesting capacity in sweet orange is increased with an abscission agent. HorTechnology 15(4):758-765.
- Futch, S.H. and F.M. Roka. 2005. Trunk shaker mechanical harvesting systems. EDIS. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/HS238.
- Futch, S.H. and F.M. Roka. 2005. Continuous canopy mechanical harvesting systems. EDIS. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/HS2389.
- Roka, F.M. and R.E. Rouse. 2005. Tree shaping and grove design to enhance performance of citrus mechanical harvesting. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 117:117-120.
- Mulkey, D.W., A.W. Hodges, T.J. Stevens, F.M. Roka, and R.L. Degner. 2005. Economic impact of the C-43 reservoir in Southwest Florida. Final report prepared for Stanley Consultants, Inc., University of Florida Project #00050362, March 14, 2005, 47 pages.
|
|