The Florida Agricultural Statistics Service collects fruit samples starting the first of September, and monthly thereafter. Each sample consists of 15 oranges or 5 grapefruit. The samples are picked from preselected groves and predetermined sample trees. During the 1994-95 season the number of sample groves were increased to: early orange, 120; midseason orange, 55; late (Valencia) orange, 150; white seedless grapefruit, 50; and colored seedless, 50.

  Sample groves and trees remain relatively constant from year to year in order to assure the greatest continuity of data. Each sample is picked from a randomly selected cluster of five trees, a central (pivot) tree and four adjacent trees. Sample fruit are selected from the pivot tree's side nearest the road of travel and from the sides of the other four sample trees nearest the pivot tree. This procedure insures that fruit from all exposures are included in the samples.

TESTING

  Early and midseason oranges are now tested on the first of each month beginning September 1 and continuing through February 1. Late oranges are tested on the first of each month beginning October 1 and ending June 1. Grapefruit tests are run the first of each month from September through December.

  All maturity tests are conducted at a testing facility located at the Orange County Agricultural Center at 2350 E. Michigan Avenue in Orlando. The testing laboratory was built with funds and labor donated by Florida Citrus Mutual, the Florida Citrus Processors Association, the Florida Citrus Packers and the Orange County Commissioners.

  All samples are run through an FMC 091 test extractor using mechanical pressure only. This machine utilizes a .040 short strainer and standard 5/8 inch orifice tube. The beam setting is 1/8 inch for the 3 and 4 inch cups and 1 inch for the 5 inch cup with no restrictors used. The 3 and 4 inch cups are used for oranges, while the 4 and 5 inch cups are used for grapefruit depending on sizes. The extractor and specifications correspond to those used for official State tests when the program began. State tests are now run on the FMC 091 B utilizing air pressure.

COMPARISONS OF FRUIT TEST RESULTS

  These Maturity Test Results are not directly comparable with the results of tests being taken by the Division of Fruit and Vegetable (DFV) for each load of fruit delivered for processing. The Maturity Tests are from a sample of all fruit remaining on trees at the time of sampling, whereas the DFV tests are of fruit currently being delivered. Secondly, the Maturity Test Results are based on an extraction procedure which has not varied or changed over the entire history of the tests, and the resulting measures of acids, solids and juice are unadjusted, whereas the DFV tests are made primarily to establish a basis for payment of fruit, in accord with industry regulations. Thus, the Maturity Tests Results are stated for unfinished juice, and the DFV tests are made, then adjusted to calculate finished juice based on current factoring.

  The finished juice from test results entered on DFV inspection certificates will always be less than the unfinished juice extracted by the inspector and the amount of unfinished juice reported in Maturity Test Results for the corresponding date.

FORECASTS OF YIELD OF FROZEN CONCENTRATED ORANGE JUICE (FCOJ)

  Yield forecasts per 90 pound box equivalents are based on historic relationships, adjusted to reflect the effects of changing regulations on allowable extraction rates and current Brix standards. The forecast is made and measured against the history of actual final yields reported by the Florida Citrus Processors Association. Variables used in the forecasts include Maturity Test Results, and the forecasts properly take into account the actual cumulative yield to date as reported by the Florida Citrus Processors Association.