Berries Archives - Specialty Crop Industry https://specialtycropindustry.com/category/berries/ Vegetable and Specialty Crop News Wed, 18 Oct 2023 15:42:14 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.3.1 116110416 Chilli Thrips: Primary Pest of Florida Blueberries https://specialtycropindustry.com/chilli-thrips-primary-pest-of-florida-blueberries/ Thu, 19 Oct 2023 09:30:00 +0000 https://specialtycropindustry.com/?p=23295 By Oscar Liburd and Doug Phillips Over the past few years, chilli thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis) have become the most important insect pest of Florida blueberries, causing substantial injury to plant foliage and typically requiring significant and costly chemical control measures. Chilli thrips have been an economically important pest of vegetable, fruit and ornamental crops throughout Asia, Africa, Oceania the Caribbean ...

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]]> 23295 Imports Battering the U.S. Blueberry Industry https://specialtycropindustry.com/imports-battering-the-u-s-blueberry-industry/ Tue, 17 Oct 2023 15:00:00 +0000 https://specialtycropindustry.com/?p=23271 By A. Malek Hammami and Zhengfei Guan The United States is a major blueberry producer. The value of production in 2021 reached $1.1 billion, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service (USDA ERS). USDA statistics show that total U.S. blueberry production in 2022 was 622 million pounds. The Pacific Northwest states of Oregon and Washington lead in ...

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]]> 23271 It Is Time to Talk About Quality https://specialtycropindustry.com/it-is-time-to-talk-about-quality/ Wed, 11 Oct 2023 09:30:00 +0000 https://specialtycropindustry.com/?p=23221 By Gerardo H. Nunez Long gone are the days when blueberries were a seasonal product. Nowadays, blueberries are available at the grocery store year-round thanks to innovations in plant breeding and a flood of imported fruit. This is changing the scenario for blueberry growers in the Southeast. Suddenly, growing fruit for the early spring market is not enough. The market ...

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]]> 23221 Quality and Automation Key to Blueberry Sustainability https://specialtycropindustry.com/quality-and-automation-key-to-blueberry-sustainability/ Fri, 06 Oct 2023 11:00:00 +0000 https://specialtycropindustry.com/?p=23190 By Frank Giles Ryan Atwood, co-owner of Amber Brooke Farms, has become a leading voice in Florida’s blueberry industry. He’s been an advocate for trade protection and has encouraged growers to innovate to stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving market. We asked Atwood to provide some insights into the current blueberry environment. He says he’s hoping for ...

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]]> 23190 Producer Panel Discussion Part of Upcoming Florida Blueberry Conference https://specialtycropindustry.com/producer-panel-discussion-part-of-upcoming-florida-blueberry-conference/ Wed, 04 Oct 2023 11:45:00 +0000 https://specialtycropindustry.com/?p=23161 By Clint Thompson Labor remains a contentious issue for specialty crop producers in the Southeast. It will be highlighted during the upcoming Florida Blueberry Growers Association Conference and Trade Show. “It’s a topic with some really high interest among growers,” said Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry Extension coordinator. It has been widely ...

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]]> 23161 What’s Needed to Ensure a Sweet Future for Georgia Blueberries https://specialtycropindustry.com/whats-needed-to-ensure-a-sweet-future-for-georgia-blueberries/ Tue, 03 Oct 2023 15:00:00 +0000 https://specialtycropindustry.com/?p=23132 By Clint Thompson One of the largest and most productive blueberry growers in Georgia is concerned about the obstacles that will challenge his ability to remain sustainable in the future. That is why Kevin Eason voices his concerns to those who will listen. He aims to educate legislative leaders about the issues that challenge his sustainability as a farmer. Eason ...

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]]> 23132 Florida Blueberry Growers Association Fall Conference, Trade Show Scheduled for Oct. 25 https://specialtycropindustry.com/florida-blueberry-growers-association-fall-conference-trade-show-scheduled-for-oct-25/ Wed, 20 Sep 2023 11:00:00 +0000 https://specialtycropindustry.com/?p=23031 By Clint Thompson Blueberry producers should mark their calendars for Wednesday, Oct. 25, for the annual Florida Blueberry Growers Association Fall Conference and Trade Show at Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland, Florida. Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry Extension coordinator, discussed the significance of the meeting this fall and why producers and industry ...

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]]> 23031 NABC Applauds Reduction of Tariffs on U.S. Blueberry Exports to India https://specialtycropindustry.com/nabc-applauds-reduction-of-tariffs-on-u-s-blueberry-exports-to-india/ Tue, 12 Sep 2023 15:00:00 +0000 https://specialtycropindustry.com/?p=22955 The North American Blueberry Council (NABC) is applauding the reduction of tariffs on U.S. blueberry exports to India. United States Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai announced on Friday that India has agreed to reduce tariffs on fresh, frozen and dried blueberries. NABC President Kasey Cronquist released the following statement in response to the announcement by the USTR: “We applaud the ...

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]]> 22955 Algal Stem Blotch Observed on Georgia Blueberry https://specialtycropindustry.com/algal-stem-blotch-observed-on-georgia-blueberry/ Thu, 24 Aug 2023 10:00:00 +0000 https://specialtycropindustry.com/?p=22801 Various instances of algal stem blotch on blueberry have been reported in Georgia in recent days, according to the University of Georgia Blueberry Blog. Growers should be aware that since the disease is caused by an alga rather than a fungus, it is highly unlikely that fungicides will be an effective management option. University of Florida recommendations suggest that sprays ...

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]]> 22801 The Role of Root and Leaf Age in Blueberry Water Relations https://specialtycropindustry.com/the-role-of-root-and-leaf-age-in-blueberry-water-relations/ Wed, 09 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000 https://specialtycropindustry.com/?p=22692 By Gerardo H. Nunez Blueberry bushes have a complicated relationship with water. Too little water can limit blueberry growth and productivity, while too much water can lead to root diseases and loss of vigor. This article focuses on the role that leaf and root age plays in irrigation success. WATER UPTAKE AND ROOTSBlueberry bushes take up water through their shallow ...

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