Sign of Resilience: Florida Growers Ensure Fresh Strawberries Are Available This Season

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Strawberry

Florida strawberry growers are a resilient bunch. They’ve survived the back-to-back punches from hurricanes Helene and Milton. Through hard work and efficient problem-solving, they have planted the fruits you’ll enjoy from December through April. Kenneth Parker, executive director of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association, works regularly with University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) breeders, Extension agents …

Weather Conditions Remain a Key Factor in Neopestalotiopsis’ Impact in Strawberries

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Strawberries

By Clint Thompson Alabama strawberry producers are at greater risk than ever of planting a crop impacted by Neopestalotiopsis. But Ed Sikora, professor and Extension plant pathologist in the department of entomology and plant pathology at Auburn University, contends that the weather next spring will be an ‘X’ factor in determining the disease’s impact on the state’s crop. “I think …

Spread Your Risk: UGA ANR Agent Discusses Neopestalotiopsis in Strawberries

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Strawberry

By Clint Thompson Georgia’s bout with neopestalotiopsis fruit rot disease in strawberries this year means producers need to be more cautious in how they order their plants every summer. Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agriculture and natural resources (ANR) agent for Peach and Taylor counties, believes growers need to spread the risk among multiple nurseries. It will help …

Tarnished Plant Bug’s Impact in Alabama Strawberries

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Strawberry

By Clint Thompson Tarnished plant bugs have impacted Alabama’s strawberry crop this season. Growers’ success in managing the pest in the future will depend on scouting, says David Lawrence, regional Extension agent in central Alabama. “Especially the growers that have seen them this year, they need to mark that date on their calendars of when they saw it, and the …

rain

Rain, Rain, Rain: Wet Weather Impacting Central Alabama Strawberries, Peaches

Dan CooperAlabama, Peaches, Strawberries, Weather

Central Alabama peach and strawberry producers have been challenged with rain events that are impacting this year’s crops. Disease pressure has been widespread in both crops, according to David Lawrence, regional Extension agent in central Alabama. “We’ve seen a lot of disease this year. The diseases that we normally see more in the mid-summer, we’re seeing those this time of …

Too Much of a Good Thing: Excessive Water a Problem for Florida Strawberries

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Strawberry

By Clint Thompson This year’s strawberry season has reminded Florida growers about the danger of too much water. “Any berry that gets wet, you’re going to start getting botrytis on it. It doesn’t matter if it’s a strawberry, blackberry, blueberry; whatever berry it is, it’s going to start to rot,” said Matt Parke, farm manager of Parkesdale Farms in Plant …

Alabama Strawberries Progressing Well

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Strawberries

By Clint Thompson Alabama strawberries are progressing well, according to one industry expert. Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University, liked how his state’s strawberry crop has progressed and believes plant timing is a big reason why. “What I’ve seen, it’s pretty hopeful, pretty positive. Plants have got really good size …

Peak Season for Florida Strawberries

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Strawberry

By Clint Thompson South Florida strawberries are almost in peak season. For one grower, his volume should be in place to satisfy the potential increased demand. “We’ve got a lot of fruit sitting out there. I’ve probably got 2,000 flats sitting on the bush right now, sitting there, per acre,” said Matt Parke, farm manager of Parkesdale Farms in Plant …

florida

N.C. Strawberry Producers Delayed in Planting Strawberries

Web AdminNorth Carolina, Strawberry

By Clint Thompson North Carolina (N.C.) strawberry producers are late in getting their plants in the ground this fall. But it should not have long-term repercussions, according to Austin Wrenn, president of the North Carolina Strawberry Association. Wrenn said there were delays in his growers receiving plant materials, and it stemmed from poor weather conditions in Canada. The nursery stock …

USDA ERS Study: Changing Landscape with Strawberries

Web AdminStrawberry

A U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) study concludes that strawberries remain the most popular berry in terms of their value and volume of production. About 2.4 billion pounds of strawberries were produced in 2018-2020, an 87% increase from 1.29 billion pounds in 2000-2002. About 2 billion pounds, or 83% of strawberry production, are for the fresh …