Strawberry Plant Shortage? Neopestalotiopsis Wreaking Havoc on Supply

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Georgia, Strawberries

By Clint Thompson The recent revelation that Neopestalotiopsis impacted multiple nurseries from Prince Edward Island will affect the supply of strawberry tips and plug plants that are available for Southeast growers. Producers are likely to experience a shortage as well as a spike in costs per plants that are available, says Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agriculture and …

Attention Strawberry Growers: ‘Alarm Bells’ for Neopestalotiopsis Disease

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Georgia, Strawberries

By Clint Thompson A disease that first impacted Florida strawberry fields in the 2018-2019 season is already causing trouble for next year’s crop. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist, is cautioning growers about the high potential risk for Neopestalotiopsis with plants originating from Prince Edward Island. “As many strawberry producers are aware, some nurseries are …

UF/IFAS Scientists Use AI to Improve Strawberry Disease Detection

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Strawberry

Florida’s strawberry season doesn’t return until December. But University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers work year-round to support an industry with a $500 million-a-year farm-gate value in Florida. Among their research endeavors, UF/IFAS scientists search for ways to help growers control diseases that threaten strawberries. Most of Florida’s 13,500 acres of strawberries are grown in …

Debby Aftermath: Florida Strawberry Producer Discusses Excessive Rains This Week

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Strawberry, Weather

By Clint Thompson When Hurricane Debby made landfall in Florida earlier this week, it dumped excessive amounts of rainfall. One strawberry producer experienced the torrential downpours in Plant City, Florida. Matt Parke, farm manager of Parkesdale Farms in Plant City, Florida, highlighted how devastating the rains were on Monday and the impact he’s experiencing as he readies for the upcoming …

Earlier the Better: Chilli Thrips Most Vulnerable Early in Strawberry Season

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Chilli thrips were as challenging as they have ever been in Florida strawberries. According to Sriyanka Lahiri, assistant professor of entomology and nematology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, the insect pests were especially tough on strawberries planted in early fall. “This season was particularly tough …

Challenging Crop: Florida Grower Highlights Strawberry Production Challenges

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Strawberries

By Clint Thompson Florida strawberry production is as challenging as it has ever been. Dustin Grooms, with Fancy Farms in Plant City, Florida, outlined the obstacles that producers are faced with, as another planting season looms. “We had a hard time selling fruit there last year, so that’s going to be a problem. The chilli thrips, we don’t have a …

Alabama Strawberry Producer Dodges Devastating Disease

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Strawberries

By Clint Thompson One Alabama strawberry grower dodged one disease that plagued many of her colleagues this year. Taylor Hatchett, who produced two acres in Chilton County, talked about Neopestalotiopsis, which was a problem across the Southeast this year. “We had not that, thankfully on the farm this year, but I do know that has been one that’s been more …

Chilli Thrips Control: UF/IFAS Study Shows How Strawberry Growers Can Use Less Pesticides

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Strawberry

Florida strawberry growers can use less pesticide and save money as they attempt to control chilli thrips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research shows. An invasive pest in the southeastern United States, chilli thrips was introduced to the United States from Southeast Asia. The first report in Florida came in 1991 in Okeechobee County and …

Lack of Late Spring Freeze Benefits Alabama Strawberry Producer

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Strawberries

By Clint Thompson It is amazing how the absence of a late-season freeze event will impact strawberry plants in Alabama. For producer Taylor Hatchett, it meant all the difference in this year’s crop. “It’s a thousand times better than last year. It was very unusual in that, normally you start small with your harvests, then get up to your maximum …

Florida Strawberry Acreage Increased in 2023

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Strawberries

By Clint Thompson Florida’s strawberry acres increased in 2023 and so did subsequent production. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service, Florida’s acreage totaled 14,200, an increase from 12,800 in 2022 and 12,300 in 2021. Total production reached 2.9 million cwt in 2023, compared to 2.8 million cwt in 2022 and 2.83 million cwt in 2021. …