El Niño Aftermath: Florida Strawberry Producers Behind on Volume

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Strawberries

By Clint Thompson Persistent rainy days and cloudy weather in recent weeks have impacted strawberry production in South Florida. Producers like Matt Parke are behind with their volume due to the lack of sunshine in the region. “I’d say 70% of the days have been overcast with no sun since the season started. Production is off, and we’re throwing fruit …

Adverse Weather Conditions Challenging Florida Strawberry Producers

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Strawberry

By Clint Thompson Wet weather in recent weeks has challenged strawberry production in South Florida. One grower is forced to throw away a substantial amount of one variety because of rain damage. “We’re picking (Monday). We’re definitely a little bit wetter,” said Dustin Grooms with Fancy Farms in Plant City, Florida. “We took a lot of rain damage. Going around …

Chilli Thrips an Early-Season Problem for Florida Strawberry Producers

Web AdminFlorida, Pest Management, Pests

By Clint Thompson It would not be a strawberry season in South Florida if chilli thrips were not a nuisance for growers. But that appears to be the case again, according to one producer. “This year it seems like they’re moving into fields earlier,” said Dustin Grooms with Fancy Farms in Plant City, Florida. “We’ve already put some sprays out …

Minimal Diseases so far for Florida Strawberry Producers

Web AdminDisease, Florida, Strawberry, Weather

By Clint Thompson The extended dry period in South Florida has been a boost for strawberry production. Natalia Peres, Professor of Plant Pathology at the University of Florida/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, believes weather conditions have been favorable for strawberries early in the season and diseases have been minimal so far. “It’s been pretty quiet. We’re good, I …

Uphill Battle: Florida Strawberry Producers Challenged This Year

Web AdminExports/Imports, Florida, Strawberry, Top Posts

One of Florida’s most challenging strawberry seasons is nearing the homestretch of its 2020-21 season. Between insects, Neopestalotiopsis disease and rising imports from Mexico, strawberry farmers have faced an uphill battle all season, says Dustin Grooms, strawberry producer with Fancy Farms in Plant City, Florida. “Things have been challenging this year. It’s been a tough year. The volume was off …

Strawberry Disease Still Concerning for Florida Producers

Web AdminDisease, Florida, Strawberry, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson The strawberry disease that has ravaged Florida’s crop the last two seasons is still on the mind of one producer heading into this year. It’s largely due to the uncertainty surrounding Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot disease that has Matt Parke concerned. “I think it’s going to keep growing year by year. I have a bad feeling it’s going …

Florida Medallion: Another Strawberry Option for Producers

Web AdminBerries, Florida, Top Posts

The newest University of Florida-bred strawberry could become another option for growers looking to diversify their crop. Vance Whitaker, strawberry breeder at the University of Florida Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, said the Florida Medallion is performing well and expects a substantial increase acreage next year. “If it continues to perform well, we’ll see where it finds its niche …

Reliable Research: Strawberry Producers Rely on UF/IFAS Plant Pathologists for Disease Diagnoses

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Strawberry growers across the country aren’t just tending fields – they’re often running a quiet race against fast-moving plant diseases. When trouble strikes, their first call is often to the plant pathologists at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC). The latest culprit has entered the scene in the form of Fusarium wilt disease, which is popping up along …

Plant Source Remains Best Management Tactic for Strawberry Growers Against Neo

Clint ThompsonUncategorized

By Clint Thompson Plant source remains the best way for Southeast strawberry producers to manage neopestalotiopsis (Neo). Growers who obtained plants from nurseries with histories of Neo contamination have observed the disease this year. Those producers who got plants from disease-free nurseries out west have enjoyed Neo-free production seasons, says Phil Brannen, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension fruit disease …

Florida Strawberry Update After Weekend Freeze

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Florida strawberry producers are in the early stages of assessing freeze damage from last weekend’s winter storm. They are confident the crop will rebound after this temporary setback, according to Nick Wishnatzki, public relations director at Wish Farms in Plant City, Florida. “We are still assessing the damage and there has been some damage, not extensive at …