May 2004

Newer Strawberry Chemicals are reviewed in Country Folks Grower (May ’04). Newer chemical included in the review are Elevate, Abound 2.08F, Cap Evate 68WDG, Brigade, Danitol, Savey, and Switch, as well as a change in Guthion labeling.

High Tunnel for Season Extension in Bramble Crops is explained in Country Folks Grower (May ’04 – reprinted from: Small Fruit News of Central New York). “Under high tunnel systems, some floricane fruiting raspberry varieties have begun fruiting as early as the end of May, with the primocane fruiting raspberries beginning in early July. . . . The use of high tunnels does require an increase in both the level and the amount of management required to grow the crop. Additional information is available at http://www.fruit.cornell.edu/berries/hightunnels.html.

Strawberry Substrate System Lessens Diseases, Improves U-Pick reports the online edition of Fruit Grower News. “The soil-less, table top – or similar – system . . . involves growing strawberries in containers in a substrate other than soil. . . Peat is the most common . . . Containers are normally either grow bags or two gallon buckets. . . This system is normally used with 60-day plants, though everbearers could be used. And the system works better using an annual system because plants do not perform well if left in the bags for a second year. . . . Though this system is popular in Holland, Belgium and the United Kingdom, it has yet to catch on in the United States. . . . One of the difficulties may be that nurseries in the United States don’t often provide the types of plants needed for this system . . . In addition, the system is expensive to get started.” Read the entire article at http://www.fruitgrowersnews.com/pages/2004/issue04_01/04_01_Strawberry.html.

Can You Be Three? asks Agricultural Entrepreneur Alternatives (Penn State Cooperative Extension in Indiana County). “All businesses are made up for three distinct skills. These are production, marketing, and finance . . . Do you know what the most common problems entrepreneurs and self-employed persons encounter? It’s trying to be the master of all three of these skills. . . . The majority of new, small businesses do not see year five. The successful enterprises and their founding entrepreneurs have something in common. . . they had a plan! A business plan. . . . This plan articulated who had the skills in the three distinct areas of production, marketing, and finance. Most of all, this plan was built for flexibility. Business conditions change. Our initial market research indicated that our customers would flock to our newest orange blueberry. But instead, they bought the licorice currents. So we change directions to satisfy the market, and we profit from the willingness to listen to our customers.” Read the newsletter at http://indiana.extension.psu.edu/second.asp?county=Indiana&table=Ag.

What Does It Cost to Raise and Sell Strawberries? asks an article in The Strawberry Grower (North Carolina Strawberry Association, June ’04). “According to a new NCSU publication, about $13,540 per acre!” The publication, “Producing and Marketing Strawberries for Direct Markets: What Makes Direct Market Strawberry Farms Successful” has two components. “First, it includes a detailed cost analysis for plasticulture strawberries developed for a five-acre planting, for both production and marketing through direct markets, both pick-your-own and stands selling prepicked berries. Second, it identifies direct-market strawberry customers and presents information about their buying behaviors. . . . A detailed budget in the publication shows costs for labor, equipment, and materials . . .” The publication can be downloaded in .PDF format at http://www2.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/project/arepublication/ag645_final.pdf

What Fungicide Do I Choose for Disease Control in Strawberries? asks The Strawberry IPM Newsletter (Univ. of Maine, 5/27/04). The article ‘aims to help strawberry growers in the decision-making process by outlining unique aspects of several strawberry diseases, characteristics of the newer fungicides, and by suggesting several possible fungicide programs.” Diseases discussed include leaf diseases, leather rot, angular leaf spot, botrytis gray mold and fruit rot. Fungicides reviewed include Pristine, Cabrio, Quadris, Elevate, CaptEvate, and Switch. A table shows suggested fungicide programs. Read the complete article at http://pmo.umext.maine.edu/strwbery/2004%20newsletter/05_27_04.htm.

Changing market means changing practices writes Steve Bogash, cooperative extension educator in Franklin County, PA. Demographic shifts mean more of your customers will be older persons living in smaller households. “How will you take advantage of this shift? . . . Price everything individually and be sure the signage in your store has large enough type for easy reading. . . . Take advantage of your new urbanite neighbors and direct market to them. . . . Your store hours need to work for them . . . include recipes, provide suggestions on storage . . . Of all the trends that directly impact the produce industry, the consolidation of retailers is probably one of the greatest challenges to growing our wholesale produce industry. . . . Shippers and brokers have followed the trend in consolidation in order to meet the needs of the large chains. In order to meet these changes head-on, growers will need to act cooperatively and grow the same cultivars, using similar practices and pack using the same standards. . . . Convenience foods are the single most rapidly growing segment of the produce section today. . . . This is a particularly tough area for small to medium growers to compete in, as the equipment expenses alone are huge to enter this market, and it is fiercely competitive.” Read the complete article at http://hortweb.cas.psu.edu/extension/vegcrops/vegetable_gazette/2004/march2004.htm.

Shortcuts to Measuring Crop Profitability: Are They Misleading? asks an article in Pennsylvania Vegetable Grower (May ’04, reprinted from Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers Assn. Newsletter). “Many prominent organic farmers in the Northeast use . . . the ‘$30 per pick-pack hour rule’” to determine whether a crop is profitable. “This rule states that for every hour spent harvesting and packing produce by the farmers and their crew, it ought to result in at least $30 in revenue. For example, if three workers spend two hours picking and one hour washing and packaging a give crop . . . this product should bring at least $270 (9 hrs x $30) in sales. Using this rule is much easier than tracking all the costs . . . However, data collected over two growing seasons (2002 and 2003) from seven organic vegetable farms in the Northeast cast doubt on the usefulness of this rule. . . . on average, only four crops (beet, carrot, onion, strawberry) would actually make money if the farmer only made $30/pick-pack hours. Five crops (Asian greens, lettuce, string beans, tomatoes and winter squash) would need, on average, to produce over $50/hour to break even. Read the complete article at http://hortmgt.aem.cornell.edu/pdf/smart_marketing/conner5-04.pdf.

Pennsylvania Growers Eligible for Bittner Travel Fellowship Award. Pennsylvania Fruit News (May ’04) announced that the State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania is sponsoring the Carl S. Bittner Travel Fellowship Award “to expose young people working in the Pennsylvania fruit industry to new ideas on fruit production being used in other areas of the world.” Up to $500 can be awarded annually by the association to someone age 18 or older “working in the fruit industry, and promoting leadership within the society.” The recipient must be a fruit grower, or someone associated with fruit production in Pennsylvania, who would like to travel outside the state of Pennsylvania. To apply, a brief explanation of the proposed trip should be submitted in writing, including the name, address, age, and potential trip being considered by the applicant. Applications must be submitted by November 1 to Maureen Irvin, Executive Secretary, State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania, 697 Mountain Road, Orrtanna, PA 17353. The award will be presented at the Annual Fruit and Vegetable Growers Dinner in January.

Growing weed-free strawberries, a project submitted by David Pike of Farmington, Maine, received one of 38 grants awarded to northeast farmers under the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Farmer/Grower program. Pike received $1,989 for his project: “Strawberries grown in a plasticulture system have weed control advantages over conventional strawberry systems. This project will explore the use of dormant, bare-root plants planted on plastic in late July. Dense planting of perennial ryegrass between plastic strips is expected to suppress unwanted weeds between the rows, eliminating the need for herbicides. Yield and costs will be tracked for two to three seasons. Outreach will be through a field day, articles in trade journals, and presentations at conferences. A complete list of all projects is available at http://www.uvm.edu/~nesare/news_04fg.html. (Source: Pennsylvania Vegetable Grower News, May ’04).

What You Need to Know About West Nile Virus is featured in Wisconsin Christmas Tree Productions Assn Quarterly Journal , April ’04. It details Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for protecting outdoor workers from WNV. “Your health, and your workers’ health, may depend upon preventive actions you take . . . In brief, preventing mosquito bites will prevent WNV infection. Personal protective measures such as limiting the time spent outdoors at dawn, dusk, and other times mosquitoes are active, wearing long sleeve shirts and long pants when outdoors, using insect repellents (be sure to follow label directions), and screening your home to prevent mosquito entry can serve to reduce or prevent mosquito bites. You can also take measures in your own yard, or you Christmas tree fields, by eliminating standing water where mosquitoes breed. Sources of standing water include old tires, metal cans, ceramic pots, clogged drain covers, wading pools, pool covers, bird baths, and rain barrels.” Visit the CDC West Nile website at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/.

Variety is a Berry Good Thing: Choose the right strawberry for your farm recommends Vern Grubinger, Vegetable and Berry Specialist with U. of Vermont in Farming (May ’04). Only a small portion of the many varieties available “will meet the needs of an individual farm in terms of hardiness, yield, disease resistance, berry size, flavor and appearance. . . . Ultimately, you have to grow a berry variety on your own farm to see if it has the blend of characteristics that you and your customers want. It makes sense to test varieties on a small scale before making large plantings.” To read details on characteristics of early-season, early mid-season, late mid-season, and late-season varieties, as well as day-neutral varieties, click on http://www.uvm.edu/vtvegandberry/factsheets/strawberryvarieties.html.

The Sun’s Dangerous Side. “The sun’s invisible ultraviolet rays can be extremely dangerous to the skin,” reminds Farming (May ’04). “Agricultural workers are prime candidates for skin cancer because they are outdoors and are exposed to the sun daily. Skin is a prime site where cancer can develop. . . . Estimates from the American Cancer Society find 600,000 cases of skin cancer occurring every year in the United States, with some 8,200 ending in death. . . . Melanoma is different from other skin cancers because it has a tendency to spread to other parts of the body. Once it reaches vital organs, melanoma is difficult to treat, and can be lethal . . . People who work outdoors are exposed to the sun on a daily basis. It is essential that these people be aware of skin cancer’s warning signals and get into the habit of doing regular, monthly self-examinations. . . . Look for any unusual skin condition, especially changes in the size or color of a mole, pigmented growth or spot. . . . Also, a change in sensation, such as itchiness, tenderness or pain, is important. If any of these warning signs exist, consult your physician. Early detection is critical.”

Strawberries in the “Dirty Dozen” reports The Strawberry Grower (May ’04). “The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has created a list ranking commonly eaten crops on the amount of pesticide contamination. . . strawberries are ranked as the second most contaminated. . . . This list was widely publicized . . . How should you react if a customer asks you about the “Dirty Dozen” and pesticide in strawberries?” The article advises: “recognize that your customers are legitimately concerned about pesticides in their food, and don’t belittle their concern. . . Encourage customers to wash their fruit. . . . Be able to tell your customers with a clean conscience that you limit your use of pesticides to those that are truly necessary. . . Don’t spray when there are customers in the field or leave pesticide containers lying around . . . Remind customers how healthy strawberries are for them . . . high in vitamin C, folic acid, and anti-oxidants, cholesterol free.”

Health Insurance, a Must for Farmers reminds Lawrence County, PA Cooperative Extension Farm Management News (May ’04). “Many farmers simply say they can’t afford it. The fact is, however, that farmers can not afford to be without health insurance.” The article points out that while most farmers would not go without automobile insurance or comprehensive liability insurance or property insurance on valuable farm buildings, machinery and livestock, the thought process is often different when it comes to health insurance. “The farming business is nown as one of the most dangerous of occupations with many opportunities for serious injuries – the type that cost huge sums to rehabilitate. . . . Without health insurance, your assets, including the farm, would be at risk. This not only can be financially devastating to the injured person, but also to all family members and family partners in the business.” Read the entire newsletter at http://beaver.extension.psu.edu/Agriculture/newsletters/FrmMgmt0504.pdf.

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