The Blueberry News – July 2019

10 | The Blueberry News FloridaBlueberryGrowers.org

blueberry

THE

http://www.FloridaBlueberryGrowers.com

Published by Central Florida Media Group in cooperation

with the Florida Blueberry Growers Association

Copyright © 2018 Central Florida Media Group. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This issue of

The Blueberry News is a trademark of Central Florida Media Group. Reproduction or

use in whole or in part of the contents of this magazine without written permission is

prohibited. The Blueberry News makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of content

published. In the event of an error found herein however, neither the publishers or

advertisers will be held responsible, nor do the publishers accept any liability for the

accuracy of statements made by advertisers in advertising and promotional materials.

Furthermore, the opinions and claims expressed in advertisements and

promotional materials do not necessarily reflect those of the Florida

Blueberry Growers Association or Central Florida Media Group and do

not imply an endorsement.

56 Fourth Street Northwest, Suite 100

Winter Haven, Florida

PHONE 863.248.

PUBLISHER

Nelson Kirkland

MANAGING EDITOR

Connor McJunkin

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

David Kiessling, Juanita Halter, Kelly Johnson

ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR

Jessica Wilcox

LIAISON EDITORS

Brittany H. Lee, Jeff Williamson

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Doug Phillips, Fred Fishel, Jeff Williamson, Oscar E. Liburd,

Patricio Munoz, Peter Dittmar, Phillip E. Harmon

CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS

Eileen McHargue, John Magee, Laurie Kornilow

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

John Magee

DELIVERY

DLS Distributors

DATABASE AND DIRECT MAIL

Melanie Coker

NELSON KIRKLAND, Publisher

[email protected]

Planting the

Liners of Success

interlude

publisher

,

s

THIS YEAR’S BLUEBERRY season has come and gone, and as

usual there were ups and downs. It is no secret that blueberry

growers throughout Central Florida have been through a

lot these last few years - pollination issues, hurricanes, and

competition from neighboring countries south of here.

The overall crop was better this year than last for most,

thanks to more chill hours leading to a better fruit set, that said,

prices fell off a cliff due to the increase in blueberries flooding

the market from other places in what traditionally has been

the “Florida” window. This pinched the profitability for Florida

Blueberry Growers.

This year’s harvest may be behind us, but we can still

appreciate the work and planning that went into this season’s

crop - work that started over a year ago that went into the 2019

harvest. However, there is little time to rest after harvest season

ends and I know work on the 2020 season is well underway

across the state.

The summer edition of The Blueberry News is a great way to

kickstart your post-harvest season in preparation for the 2020

crop. Additionally, this edition is the perfect opportunity to

inform growers of different pests to watch for and give helpful tips

for the summer months. In this edition you’ll find some extremely

important topics for our growers, including spotlighting different

issues such as weed management and chilli thrips.

Learn more about the various initiatives and research being

done in the UF/IFAS Breeding Program with the goal of growing

Florida’s blueberry industry. Finally, if you’re a grower, use the

management guide and spray charts throughout this edition as

well for pest and disease management strategies in post-harvest

blueberries

As a Blueberry farmer myself, The Blueberry News has always

been a special publication for me. I enjoy getting the chance to

talk to other growers and learn about their experiences and keep

my finger on the pulse of the state’s blueberry industry. Thank

you for reading The Blueberry News and I wish you a successful,

productive summer.