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Abstract
The disease Huanglongbing (HLB) was first discovered in the United States in 2005, in a Florida commercial citrus grove. Since its discovery, HLB has not only decreased citrus production, but has drastically increased production costs. With California contributing over 80% of the nation’s fresh oranges, it is important to attempt to keep HLB from becoming endemic in this state. In this study, two alternative management practices are examined to estimate the potential total loss in production value due to HLB on the California citrus industry over a 20 year period. The total loss is estimated to be $2.7 billion under a do-nothing approach and $2.2 billion under an aggressive action approach. Limiting the spread of HLB is the preferred approach. It not only results in total damage savings of $2,803 per acre over the do-nothing approach, but also protects the California citrus industry from HLB and promotes economic growth.