# @txextension on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/C3YacyvvEww
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/65665992-txextension-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/60e2ef3f1d.jpg
- **Posted:** 2024-02-15T20:25:04.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service (@txextension) — https://gondola.cc/txextension

## Caption

Crop & Weather: The Texas citrus crop quality and quantity was better than expected following multiple seasons of weather-related setbacks, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert. Check out the full #CropAndWeather report: tx.ag/CW021324, or click the link in our bio.

Read part of the report below ⬇️

Texas is the third largest citrus producer in the U.S., with the total economic impact of the citrus industry to the state exceeding $300 million annually. With increased fruit prices, cash receipts for citrus farmers recently exceeded $200 million. 

The Texas citrus industry is almost completely located in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, with most of the acreage in Hidalgo County and the remainder Cameron and Willacy counties.

The industry has faced numerous challenges in recent years, including Hurricane Hanna in 2020, winter storm Uri in early 2021, and droughts in both 2022 and 2023. Even a few cold-weather snaps in mid-January of this year brought several hours of sustained below-freezing temperatures to the region.

Dale Murden, president of Texas Citrus Mutual, an association representing citrus growers, said he estimates citrus production in the Lower Rio Grande Valley to be at only about 60% of what it was before Uri.

“We’re still trying to recover from the tree loss and damage from that winter storm, and many producers have been skeptical about replanting,” Murden said. 

However, he said, this year things are looking good for the citrus industry.

“Citrus production is up, the current fruit quality is excellent, and prices have remained high, all of which are good for the producer,” he said.

Murden, who has been in the citrus industry long enough to remember the trials and tribulations of the past 40-plus years, said he is still optimistic about Texas citrus.

“Over the years, there have been issues with the weather, irrigation water and other challenges to the citrus industry, but in production agriculture you’ve got to be optimistic,” he said.

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#Citrus #TexasAgriculture #TexasReport

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## Tags

citrus, cropandweather, texasreport, texasagriculture

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