Production management and efficiencyy are key. Citrus grower Randy Sexton Jr. has found a way to remain viable in the recently flat Red Grapefruit marketÑuse integrated pest management techniques. The manager of Sexton Grove Service in Vero Beach, Fla., which has contracts with 27 private investors to grow red, white and other grapefruits on 3,000 acres, has reduced input costs significantly. Grapefruit costs are down to $800 per acre from $950 three years ago. And citrus costs have fallen from $850 to $750 per acre. Especially with grapefruit's low prices over the past few years, citrus is borderline unprofitable, Sexton said. gYet clients depend on us to generate dollarsÑthe key to cost-savings is intense management and efficiency in all areas of production," he said. Following the University of Florida's Citrus Management Guide, Sexton only sprays chemicals when necessary Ñabout twice a year. It's environmentally sound and less expensive," he said. fin May, we spray for Melanose and rust mite. In July, we spray for rust mite and greasy spot." Sexton doesn't use beneficial insects, but is able to combat fungus and mite problems with biological controls that Xdon't kin the beneficial insects." He said IPM is most effective against rust mites, leaf miner and spider mites. Sexton also has had success keeping Melanose, a grapefruit fungus, down to a minimum. Sexton also saves when he does spray. He has achieved a 25 percent cost savings on chemicals with the use of Roper's Tree-see sprayer. gThe sprayer is the single most important thing I do to save costsÑit has four electronic eyes, so if it doesn't 'see' a tree, it doesn't spray," Sexton said. Although the initial investment for four sprayers was highÑ$14,000 eachÑ Sexton is benefiting. "I feel like we're saving more than that, every year," he said. In addition, Sexton uses an expensive sprinkling systemÑ$1,000 per acre initially, then $75 per acre for each following year. The watering sys- | tem also has saved | the grove money, | he said. Gal litigated about 5Q | times with the flood ones I he sales Normally, groves are flooded four to five times a year, typically in the spring and summer. IPM practices benefit input costs anger rather than yields, Sexton said. His grapefruit yields haver emained steady at about 400 boxes per acre for grape fruit and 350 boxes per acre .