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 all. We’re still going to have a crop. After this week we’re going to start picking at good production levels,” Wishnatzki said. “Of course, that means we’re going to miss that Valentine’s Day window, some of it, which is unfortunate. But we’re going to get back on track after this week. There is some damage and things you can’t control; a pump goes down or a water line breaks. Things like that happen, and then there’s water pressure issues that can happen.
“There is going to be a little bit of lost production in that sense. For the most part, I think we pulled through it pretty well. I think the quality is still going to be really good moving forward after we get through this first cycle to pick off the bad, ripe fruit that can’t be marketed. Once we get past that, it’ll be all systems go. We’re still optimistic we can still have a good successful season as it started that way as well.”
Reason for Optimism
Wishnatzki’s optimism also stems from the two new varieties that Florida producers are growing this year.
New University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) varieties include ‘Ember’ and ‘Encore.’ According to UF/IFAS, ‘Ember’ possesses excellent disease resistance and is less susceptible to Neopestalotiopsis. ‘Encore’ is aptly named because it is considered an improved version of ‘Florida Brilliance,’ with improved tip pollination and larger fruit size.
“As we get into March, we’re going to start to ramp back up into that normal peak that we usually hit. There could be a gap here or there. It’s hard to really tell when that’s going to be, but these couple of varieties that we’re growing this year have been really consistent in terms of production,” Wishnatzki said. “They have excellent quality and great flavor.
“Just as every season is, it’s going to be a roller coaster. It’s nothing we haven’t seen before; maybe a little different this year. That roller coaster, you’re always strapped in and ready to go wherever it takes you.”