May 2005

Spraying Strawberries by Dr. Andrew Landers, Cornell University , appears in New York Berry News , May 13, 2005 . "T here are many new developments in spray technology that will help reduce the costs involved in applying pesticides. The main costs associated with pesticide application are the cost of pesticides, which continue to rise in many cases. Any technology that reduces the amount of product necessary to control a weed, insect, or disease, or improve its effectiveness, is welcome. The other major costs to consider are those of labour and timeliness." Read the complete article at http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/pp/extension/tfabp/newslett/nybn45b.pdf .

Lyme Disease Facts are available on the OSHA website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed a national Lyme disease risk map in which CDC identified areas of the U.S. as minimal or no risk, low risk, moderate risk, or high risk for predicted Lyme disease. View the map and read the fact sheet at http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_LymeFacts/lymefac.pdf .

The Dr. Carl S. Bitner Travel Fellowship Award, sponsored by the State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania, is accepting applications. The purpose of the award of up to $500 “is to expose young people working in the Pennsylvania fruit industry to new ideas on fruit production being used in other areas of the world. The recipient must be a fruit grower, or someone else 18 years or older, associated with fruit production in Pennsylvania who would like to travel outside the state of Pennsylvania. Applications should be submitted by November 1 to be considered for use during the subsequent year. Contact: Maureen Irvin, Executive Secretary, SHAP, at shap@supernet.com or by phone at 717-677-4184.

Methyl Bromide is one of the “Hot Topic Updates” in FloraCulture International (May ’05). “The United States was set to ban all production of the fumigant methyl bromide on 1 January 2005 in compliance with the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and the Clean Air Act. However, with no feasible replacements yet available, the United States has asked for and received from the Parties to the Protocol a critical-use exemption for the chemical. For 2005, USDA is allowing methyl bromide production at 37% of the 1991 consumption level. The United States has asked for the same amount for 2006, of which 27% has so far been approved. For 2007, the United States is asking for 29% of the 1991 amount. This will include exemptions for 15 crops or uses, including . . . strawberries . . . . For more, visit http://www.epa.gov/ozone/mbr/2007_nomination.html.

Promising Herbicides for Common Groundsel Control in Newly Established Strawberry is a Research Report in HortTechnology (April-June ’05). “New herbicides were studied that provided effective control of common groundsel in strawberry. Figueroa et al.. . . compared the activity and selectivity of two registered herbicides and several others identified as potentially useful, including sulfentrazone, flumioxazin, pendimethalin, and metholachlor. Of these, sulfentrazone was most effective and provided excellent goundsel control when used at 2.1 to 4.3 oz/acre a.i. Strawberry yield with sulfentrazone was similar to yield with terbacil, and crop stunting was less.” An abstract of this article is available at ASHS Abstract: Strawberry.

Blueberry Production Trends in North America, 1992 to 2003, and Predictions for Growth is a Comprehensive Crops Report in HortTechnology (April-June ’05). “Blueberry production area in North America increased 30% from 1992 to 2003 . . . ; most of this increase occurred in Canada. . . . Specific states in the U.S. that had considerable growth from 1992 to 2003 were California, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oregon, and Washington. . . . The blueberry industry is still projected to grow considerably in the next 5 to 10 years. . . .An abstract of this article is available at ASHS Abstract: Blueberry.

Produce industry excited about new food guide system reports Vegetable Growers News (May ’05). “Much to the delight of the fruit and vegetable industries, the new system encourages Americans to eat more produce. . . . The new system increases the recommended daily allowance of fruit and vegetables. . . Produce makes up about one-third of the new food pyramid.” Visit the new food pyramid at http://mypyramid.gov/.

Strawberry Plasticulture Review in Vegetable and Small Fruit Gazette, May ’05 reviews “what makes a good strawberry plasticulture planting. . . . High density, annual, strawberry production systems utilized in California, Florida and North Carolina have increased profitability over conventional matted-row plantings. The late summer planted system includes raised beds, black plastic mulch, trickle irrigation and plants spaced on staggered double rows. Establishment costs are higher, but production is earlier (when crop value is highest) and of greater quality. Labor costs are typically reduced as there is no need for blossom removal, setting daughter plants or hand weeding and fruit is more easily and efficiently harvested from the beds. . . . Dedicated growers in certain locations have found high profitability in utilizing this system. However, potential limitation of the system include: high establishment costs, including plastic, plant costs (high density), trickle irrigation and floating row covers as well as winter injury reducing growth and fruiting. Research is being conducted to make this system practical in more limiting Northern climates.” Read the complete article at http://hortweb.cas.psu.edu/extension/vegcrops/vegetable_gazette/2005/may2005.htm#review

Actara®/Platinum for Strawberries and Bushberries. “Another insecticide from Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc. is now registered for use in strawberries and bushberries (blueberries, Ribes, elderberries, etc.), among other crops,” reports Kathy Demchak in Vegetable and Small Fruit Gazette (May ’05). Read the article, with a link to the full and supplemental labels, at http://hortweb.cas.psu.edu/extension/vegcrops/vegetable_gazette/2005/
may2005.htm#strawberries.

Organic Strawberries: A Primer by Vern Grubinger appears in Growing (May ’05). “Strawberries are not an easy crop to grow organically. . . . However, a few growers are demonstrating that organic strawberries can be produced profitably, especially where demand is high and supply is low. . . . Whatever your market, to have success with organic berries they must look good and taste great. . . . Most organic fields are fruited for one year and then turned under. If the plants are exceptionally healthy and pest pressure is low, some organic growers will renovate the field and fruit it a second year, but I wouldn’t recommend this as standard practice.” Grubinger discusses crop rotation, cover crops, cultural practices, weed control, insect pests, and disease control. Read the complete article at http://www.growingmagazine.com/articles/orgstrawb.html.

Advances in Berry Production: Synopsis by Pam Fisher, Berry Crop Specialist OMAF, appears in the Canadian publication The Grower (May ’05). The article gives highlights from presentations at March 31-April 1 program sponsored by the Ontario Berry Growers Association and OMAF. Three programs are highlighted: Food Safety and Post Harvest Quality; Advances in Post Harvest Quality of Berry Crops; and, Traceability for Fresh Produce. Read the complete article at http://www.gov.on.ca/OMAFRA/english/crops/hort/news/allontario/ao0305a2.htm.

Make May merry with sweet strawberries recommends “The People Side” feature in Hoard’s Dairyman (May ’05). The feature gives some background on the history of strawberries, strawberry production in North Carolina, and offers recipes for strawberry vinaigrette, double strawberry pie, strawberry cheesecake trifle, and strawberry rhubarb crisp.

Schwarzenegger Ignites Fresh Interest for Fruits and Vegetables in Schools (Growing, May ’05) reports on the California governor’s “vow to eliminate junk food from California schools this year, and replace the sugary treats with fresh fruits and vegetables. . . . Schwarzenegger’s comments carry considerable weight in the national political arena, given that California’s economy rivals that of most countries, and the state is often seen as a forward thinking incubator for new ideas—political and otherwise. . . . A similar effort last year, championed by California State Senator Martha Escutia, a Democrat, went down in flames after meeting stiff resistance from the California School Food Service Association (CSFSA). . . . Aiding the CSFSA in defeating Escutia’s bill was the Grocery Manufacturers of America. . . .”

Spending Plans Fall Victim to Politics, a follow-up to the above California article, appears on Yahoo.com (May 31, ’05) “The plan to partner the state with local farms to get fresh fruit on school breakfast trays hardly seemed controversial, and it wouldn’t have cost much. But it apparently had a fatal flaw: It was championed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The Legislature swiftly rejected the $18.2-million program in budget hearing this month, leaving the nonprofit group that pushed for the project stunned.” Read the complete article at http://news.yahoo.com/s/latimests/20050531/ts_latimes/spendingplansfallvictimtopolitics.

Challenges Facing Farm Families (Country Focus, PA Farm Bureau, May ’05). “Nearly 300 farmers converged on the State Capital April 12 to talk to members of the General Assembly about key issues affecting agriculture as part of Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s State Legislative Conference. . . . Some of the key issues farmers discussed with lawmakers included: The need for relief from illegal local ordinances that violate Pennsylvania’s Right to Farm Act and other state laws. . . . Passage of health care reforms to help control the spiraling cost of health insurance. . . . Restoration of funding in the proposed state budget for crop insurance, agriculture research, the Animal Health Commission and money to support the environmental work of conservation districts. . . . A long-term approach to funding for farmland preservation to ensure there is a place in Pennsylvania for family farmers.”

Time is Money, Birds Eye retirement benefits manager, writes in Link, May ’05. “The 76 million Americans who are approaching retirement today are facing much greater challenges than their parents did, because they must fund and manage their retirement largely by themselves. . . . Time is money. The sooner you start saving, the more time works to your financial advantage. . . . Take action today to secure a comfortable retirement for tomorrow.”

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