Source: UF/IFAS A $300 million-a-year industry in Florida may soon depend on artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance its flavor. Research at the University of Florida (UF) shows AI can help scientists breed more flavor into strawberries. While consumer panels are the method for UF researchers to gauge whether new fruit varieties taste good enough for development into market, in …
Weather Alert: N.C. Strawberry Farmers Encouraged to Protect Crop
N.C. State Extension cautions strawberry producers to apply row covers to their plants in anticipation of freezing temperatures that will linger into the weekend. A freeze warning started Thursday night and will continue Friday night. But conditions will improve on Saturday, though there still is a chance for a frost from Saturday night to Sunday. According to N.C. State Extension, …
Sweet Finish: Florida Strawberry Growers Ending Season with Strong Crop
What began as a sour start to Florida’s strawberry season is ending with a sweet finish, says Matt Parke, farm manager of Parkesdale Farms in Plant City, Florida. Parke said he wasn’t getting the desired volume before Valentine’s Day. Then it started and hasn’t stopped since. “I think it’s going to end up being a bumper deal for us. We …
Alabama Extension to Host Weed Management Webinar for Fruit Growers
Alabama Extension will hold a virtual webinar on weed management in strawberry, peach and blueberry production systems on Tuesday, May 4 at 11 a.m. (EST). Alabama Extension specialist Steve Li will discuss weed management on blueberry, peach and strawberry farms. This meeting will be held via zoom. It is free but those interested must pre-register. Click here to pre-register: https://www.aces.edu/go/regionalfruitmeetings. …
Clemson Extension Offers Tips for Tissue Sampling in Strawberries
According to The South Carolina Grower, it is important for strawberry producers to tissue sample their crop now. This ensures an adequate supply of nutrients are available for the crop, which maximizes yield and quality of the fruit. Justin Ballew, Clemson Commercial Horticulture Agent, said the best method in tissue sampling is randomly select plants. These should be selected across …
Mighty Mites: UGA Extension Encourages Scouting for Strawberry pests
It won’t be long before strawberries will be ready for harvest in South Georgia. University of Georgia Extension encourages producers to scout for spider mites, especially as strawberries begin to ripen and bloom across the state. The two-spotted spider mites are typically light yellow in appearance with a spot on either side of their abdomen. Their piercing-sucking mouthparts can cause …
Taking its Toll: Strawberry Imports Creating Strain on Farmers
The International Trade Committee’s (ITC) decision regarding blueberry imports was shocking to Florida’s blueberry producers. It was no less surprising to the state’s strawberry farmers who have their own ITC investigation under way. “Our jaws dropped. We know how bad the blueberry deal is and they said they were 5-0 voting against it,” said Matt Parke, farm manager of Parkesdale …
Florida Producer: It’s the Greening of Strawberries
Citrus Greening has devastated Florida’s citrus industry. The state’s strawberry producers are concerned about their future with Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot disease. It may still be in its infancy, but Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot is taking its toll on the Florida strawberry industry. One Florida producer is concerned about its impact moving forward. “I would call it the ‘Greening of strawberries,’” said …
Uphill Battle: Florida Strawberry Producers Challenged This Year
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 …
Lights Out: UV System Helpful Against Strawberry Pathogen
When the light goes on, it’s lights out for a ruinous strawberry pathogen. Just imagine this: Pulling an ultraviolet lamp behind a tractor out into your farm in the middle of the night, pointing the UV light at the strawberries and zapping powdery mildew right out of the leaves and fruit. That’s the idea behind new research led by UF/IFAS …