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Florida Strawberry Industry Members Speak out About Unfair Trade with Mexico

Web AdminFlorida, Fruit, Strawberry, Top Posts, Trade

Florida Strawberry Growers Association Dover, Fla. (August 18, 2020) – U.S. trade officials and federal agencies held the first of two virtual meetings on August 13 with the agriculture industry to hear testimonies on unfair trade practices with Mexico. More than 35 witnesses testified to a hearing committee consisting of representatives from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, U.S. Department …

Fungicide Resistance in Georgia Strawberry Fields

Web AdminDisease, Strawberry, Top Posts, VSCNews magazine

By Phil Brannen, Md Emran Ali, Jeff Cook, Sumyya Waliullah and Owen Hudson Anthracnose fruit rot disease, caused by fungal Colletotrichum species, is one of the most significant disease problems of commercial strawberry production in the Southeast. Dark, sunken lesions on fruit are the main disease symptoms (Figure 1). Hot, humid weather and significant rainfall make Colletotrichum-induced fruit rot a …

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N.C. State Specialist: Best Strawberry Season Ever

Web AdminNorth Carolina, Strawberry, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson Mark Hoffmann, North Carolina State small fruits Extension specialist, had high praise for this year’s strawberry crop. “This is the best strawberry season ever in North Carolina. I’ve only been here for three years but that’s what all people are telling me; they’ve never had such a good strawberry season,” Hoffmann said. It appears a relatively mild …

Are Tiny Bugs Hiding Inside Your Strawberries?

Web AdminBerries, North Carolina, Strawberry, Top Posts

By Ashley Robinson A few weeks ago, a viral TikTok video took the internet by storm, showing what appeared to be little worm-like bugs crawling out of fresh strawberries soaked in salt water. Since that video surfaced, many consumers have recreated the video showing similar results. Now, some consumers are panicking. Is this safe? Have we unknowingly been enjoying bugs …

Clemson Extension Agent: South Carolina Produce Farmers Enjoying Good Spring

Web AdminBerries, Produce, Strawberry, Top Posts, Vegetables

By Clint Thompson South Carolina’s produce season is producing sweet results with its farmers. Clemson Extension Commercial Horticulture agent Justin Ballew said fruit and vegetable farmers in the Palmetto State are enjoying a strong spring season so far. “For the most part, we’re having a good spring. We’re in the last month of strawberry season and we’ve had a decent …

Expected Temperature Drop in N.C. Leads to Extra Protection for Strawberries

Web AdminGrapes, North Carolina, Strawberry, Top Posts, Weather

By Clint Thompson Potential freezing temperatures this weekend in North Carolina could impact strawberry production. Unless farmers utilize row covers for protection. According to Mark Hoffmann, North Carolina State small fruits Extension specialist, row covers, which help reduce radiation in the field should provide adequate frost protection from temperatures in the 30s on Saturday and Sunday. “It looks like in …

Be Careful How You Store Certain Fruits, Vegetables

Web AdminAvocado, Berries, Florida, Georgia, Peaches, Strawberry, Top Posts, Vegetables, Watermelon

By Clint Thompson University of Florida post-harvest plant physiologist Jeff Brecht cautions consumers about putting some fruit and vegetables in their refrigerators. Quality commodities like tomatoes, melons, avocados and peaches are chilling sensitive. Consumers need to be wary that too much cooling can affect the quality of certain produce. “I hear complaints about all of those where people say, ‘They’re …

USDA Report Yields Results for 2019 noncitrus/nuts season

Web AdminAlabama, Berries, Florida, Fruit, Georgia, Nuts, Peaches, Pecan, Produce, South Carolina, Stone Fruit, Strawberry, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson The United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service released its findings for noncitrus fruits and nuts in the Southern Region for the 2019 crop year. These estimates were based on grower surveys. Avocados: Florida’s production of avocados was up 88% from 2018. Its value of production was up 54%. Yields rebounded in 2019. Utilized production …

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A Berry Good Deed

Web AdminBerries, North Carolina, Strawberry, Top Posts

Story is from N.C. State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences News website. May 6, 2020  |  Dee Shore With unemployment rates hitting record levels in the United States and North Carolina, hunger-relief agencies and nonprofit organizations are encouraging donations. At NC State, Extension Small Fruit Specialist Mark Hoffmann is heeding the call. For each of the past three weeks, …

N.C. Small Fruit Producers Be Ready for Colder Temps

Web AdminGrapes, North Carolina, Strawberry, Top Posts

North Carolina strawberry and grape producers need to be wary of colder temperatures this week, according Mark Hoffmann, North Carolina State Small Fruits Extension Specialist, in his message to producers. Temperatures will fall significantly this week, with a slight chance of rain in North Carolina on Friday and Saturday, and clouds coming in from the Northwest. These weather conditions will …