Tagged News

• Mexican fruit fly prompts quarantine in Cameron County Play Video

  January 20, 2020 6:00 PM

  BROWNSVILLE – Dozens of square miles in Cameron County are under quarantine because of Mexican fruit flies. The pest known as the Mexican fruit fly invades more than 40 types of fruits and nuts. A recent test confirmed they are in the Rio Grande Valley once again. Under... more »

• Dry Conditions Concerning Citrus Growers Play Video

  January 18, 2020 10:22 PM

  RIO GRANDE VALLEY - Lack of rain over the winter season is worrying Valley growers. They fear conditions will not get better in the coming months. President of Texas Citrus Mutual Dale Murden says the dry conditions are at a point where growers should keep and eye out for... more »

• CON MI GENTE: Valley Citrus and Vegetable Show Play Video

  December 31, 2019 1:33 PM

  MERCEDES – Some may remember the old Valley Citrus and Vegetable Show, where 4-H and FFA member would visit local farms, harvest some of produce and then exhibit them in competition. Well, the show it back and it’s found a new home at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show... more »

• Valley Citrus Grower Worried about Profit after Recent Flooding Play Video

  July 28, 2019 9:30 PM

  MCALLEN- A valley citrus grower says he's concerned about his crop after recent flooding. Fred Karle tells CHANNEL 5 NEWS he had to give up on his harvest in June because his grapefruit was under grown, due to last year's floods. He's afraid this year's storms may also... more »

• Experts Warn Citrus Tree Owners of Disease Play Video

  February 20, 2019 4:52 PM

  WESLACO – Citrus industry experts are advising residents with citrus trees on their property to monitor them for potential pests and disease. The disease is spread by an insect called the Asian Citrus Psyllid. The disease feeds on the stems and leaves of trees and infects them with... more »

• Dynamic Weather Conditions Impacting Valley Citrus Growers Play Video

  February 19, 2019 4:51 PM

  WESLACO – The dynamic weather conditions is putting pressure on some local citrus growers. This year’s harvest is not the easiest due to the changes from extreme drought to record flooding. The vice president of Lone Star Citrus Growers says when the weather doesn’t allow workers in the... more »

• Citrus Grower Says Grapefruits' Lack of Growth Affecting Profits Play Video

  January 23, 2019 4:40 PM

  WESLACO – A Rio Grande Valley citrus grower a lack of growth is affecting his profits. Donald Thompson tells CHANNEL 5 NEWS he’s never seen the kind of heat seen last year in his 60 years of experience as a citrus grower. "We had a tremendous crop on... more »

• Citrus Industry Working through Busy Season Play Video

  January 15, 2019 2:50 PM

  MISSION – The citrus industry is in the middle of a busy season. Oranges and grapefruits that are picked off of Rio Grande Valley tress have a process before getting to consumers. "Over the Christmas holidays, we worked 93 days straight. We were off on New Year's Eve,... more »

• Local Grower Retires after Long Heritage within Citrus Industry Play Video

  January 8, 2019 10:09 AM

  MISSION – The citrus industry runs deep in a Rio Grande Valley farmer’s DNA. Richard Shull has seen big changes in the industry. Citrus groves are slowly disappearing as the Valley’s population is growing. Shull’s grandfather was O.F. Marrs of Donna and developed Marrs Orange, a major... more »

• Local Citrus Grower Seeks Options Due to Bad Harvest Season Play Video

  December 26, 2018 6:19 PM

  DONNA – A Rio Grande Valley citrus grower says weather conditions from drought to flooding have made this a bad year for business. Lawrence Revelle has been in the citrus industry for over half a century. He says he had hoped lower temperatures in the late summer would... more »

• Local Growers Filling Demand Following Hurricane Irma Play Video

  April 16, 2018 4:54 PM

  MISSION – Rio Grande Valley growers are seeing some of the biggest demand for their fruit in years. Texas Citrus Mutual says a lot of this need comes following Hurricane Irma's destruction of Florida groves over half a year ago. "I couldn't say what voids we are filling for Florida... more »

• Possible Impact on Citrus Industry Following Hurricane Irma Play Video

  September 17, 2017 9:54 PM

  WESLACO - The Florida Department of Citrus is checking the damage Hurricane Irma caused to groves. The harvest production is expected to take a hit. Valley citrus experts are watching to see if the impact will be felt here. According to the USDA Florida is the leading state in the... more »

• Agencies on the Look Out for Citrus Greening in Neighborhoods Play Video

  August 22, 2017 11:40 PM

  WESLACO – State and local agencies spent Tuesday inspecting citrus trees for greening. Citrus greening is a disease which can be devastating to an orchard. According to the Texas Department of Agriculture; Willacy, Cameron and Hidalgo County were issued quarantine zones for the disease back in 2014. Once a tree... more »

• Dry Conditions Taking a Toll on Valley Farmers Play Video

  August 13, 2017 11:10 PM

  Hidalgo County - While cotton growers are thriving in these dry conditions other crops are struggling. With harvest for citrus just around the corner we spoke with grower Fred Karle who says they are looking for all the rain they can get. "We missed out on good rain in September.... more »

• Citrus Profits Affected by Mexican Fruit Fly Play Video

  May 24, 2017 5:18 PM

  WESLACO – The Mexican fruit fly is causing costly havoc for local citrus growers. The pest left its mark on more than 4,000 acres of orchards across the Rio Grande Valley. Texas Citrus Mutual said the fruit fly cost growers about $1 million in profits. Fred Karle has several hundred... more »

• Agencies Educate People on How to Protect Citrus Plants Play Video

  February 6, 2017 5:02 PM

  WESLACO – The Texas Department of Agriculture and the USDA are working with cities in the Rio Grande Valley to educate people on how they can help out the citrus industry. The two quarantine zones remain in place for the Valley, one for citrus greening and the other for the... more »