Louisiana Citrus Farmers Hoping For A Good Year

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Louisiana citrus farmers say recent chilly weather has sweetened their oranges, satsumas, Meyer lemons and other fruit, and brought out good color.

Joseph Ranatza harvests about 60 acres of citrus in Jesuit Bend. He says that as long as winds or hail don't knock the fruit onto the ground and there's no hard freeze, the crop should be good with the harvest continuing into January. He says that six hours at 25 degrees would ruin the fruit.

Forecasters show no freeze in their near-term forecast.

Hugh French, who manages Stella Plantation in Braithwaite, says the cold weather extended the harvest season for satsumas, but that's coming to an end.