1st Quarter 2010 Grove Update

We began our 2009/2010 harvest season in late November. We started in some areas that experienced extreme freeze damage last year. Initial fruit quality was poor but improved during the harvest.

That was the end of the good news. As most know, the Manatee County area received an extended period of below-freezing temperatures, with many nights into the low 20's. While we were far enough along in our EM's to avoid significant losses, our Murcott Tangerines and Valencia Oranges were not so lucky.

Our Murcotts could not be harvested for fresh fruit due to freeze damage. We lost some of that fruit outright, and sent the rest to the juice plant, which will certainly help.

We have had to do salvage work in the Valencias and have experienced loss of pound solids in certian blocks, but appear to be OK in most areas. We'll see as the rest of the season reveals its secrets.

We are very thankful that damage to the trees was minimal.

I am very pleased to announce the promotion of Steve John to Citrus Production Manager. Steve is a five-year veteran of our citrus operations and a pretty respectable cowboy on top of that. We know he will continue our efforts at producing the best possible oranges and tangerines humanly possible.

Mac Carraway
President
SMR Farms, LLC