'Plasticulture' may double strawberry crops
Plastic mulch may be the factor that saved strawberry research plots grown by Ohio State University.
The university's extension service noted excess rainfall this spring hurt many farmers in Ohio, with the notable exception of their own strawberry plots, which were kept dry by the artificial mulch.
"Plasticulture production may be a good option for strawberry growers to increase their yields on small-acreage farms," said Brad Bergefurd, a horticulture agent with the university.
Ohio State officials have worked with colleagues in North Carolina to test plasticulture methods for strawberries, which produce earlier and higher, more consistent yields.
"If we can get strawberries to harvest two to three weeks earlier, that will get farmers in the markets earlier, and possibly increase their income," Bergefurd said. "The potential is there to double yields on a more consistent basis than with the matted row system."
Officials say the plasticulture method could double yields to 12,000 pounds per acre.
Thus far, the smallest yield for the research trials was 11,000 pounds per acre but Burgefurd said that more research is needed to determine if the yields can be achieved consistently.
Typically, strawberries are bare-root plants planted in matted rows during the spring.
But with plasticulture, soil is mounted onto 10-inch-high mounds. It is then covered with a sheet of black, plastic mulch. Strawberry plant plugs are planted in September through the mulch into the underlying mounds of soil.
Researchers have found that the plants experience fewer disease problems from standing water and flooding because water rests between mounds or rows.
Also, the sheet of mulch conserves moisture, reduces weed growth by blocking out sunlight, and keeps strawberries cleaner by keeping them out of mud.
Of course, plasticulture is not all positive.
Its biggest drawback is the cost. Farmers can be forced to invest as much as $10,000 per acre to prepare their land before they pick their first strawberry. Another $3,000 per acre is needed to carry the crop through harvest.
Ohio State researchers are working with colleagues in Maryland on a two-year system that could enable the costs to be stretched over a longer time period.
Farmers-Zimbabwe:
A High Court in Zimbabwe has ruled the eviction orders issued to white farmers are an illegal attempt to force them off their land.
The British Broadcasting Corp. reported the ruling came just ahead of the early Thursday deadline that could have forced the imprisonment of many of the 3,000 white farmers the government is trying to remove.
Government officials are trying to kick the white farmers out so the land can be given to the black majority population of the African nation. The move was a campaign promise of President Robert Mugabe.
A judge ruled the government cannot seize the farms because they are mortgaged to banks. The banks would have to be informed and give consent before any order could be carried out.
Pesticides:
A new study said traces of pesticides have been found in foods ranging from apples and courgettes to butter, sausages and baby food sold in Britain.
The Pesticides Residues Committee said two of 17 samples of Italian tomatoes had pesticide levels above the level allowed for acceptable farming. Half of the lettuces tested had traces of pesticide residues.
The London Telegraph reported 17 percent of samples tested contained traces of pesticides. The rest were uncontaminated.
Poultry workers:
Employees of Perdue Farms Inc. will receive additional pay for the time it takes them to dress in special clothing required for their jobs in poultry processing plants.
Perdue attorneys submitted a settlement agreement, saying it would pay $10 million in back salaries to the workers. It also would add eight minutes worth of salary per day to the pay of workers, to cover the time at the beginning and end of their shifts when they change clothes for their jobs.
The company had always operated under the premise that the poultry workers did not start working until after they were dressed for the job. Employees filed a lawsuit, saying their preparation time should be included as part of the workday.
Soybean exports:
A record 1.04 billion bushels of U.S.-grown soybeans have been exported, and officials say that is due in part to marketing efforts funded through checkoff programs.
Biotechnology information efforts paid for by the checkoff program and implemented by the American Soybean Association have helped U.S. soybean farmers continue to have access to markets of the European Union.
Officials note soybean exports to Europe are up 14 percent to 285 million bushels. China is the single largest importer of U.S. soybeans, totaling 165 million bushels last year.
Grains:
Grain futures were mostly lower at the close Thursday on the Chicago Board of Trade.
Soybeans and corn fell on uncertainty among traders awaiting for direction from the Agriculture Department's crop production and supply/demand reports.
Wheat and oats declined on a lack of demand shown by weekly export sales reports.
The prices:
Soybeans: Aug 5.57 3/4 off 2 1/4, Sep 5.45 1/2 off 5 1/4, Nov 5.22 3/4 off 7 3/4, Jan 5.23 1/2 off 8.
Corn: Sep 2.46 1/4 off 2 3/4, Dec 2.57 1/4 off 2 3/4, Mar 2.62 off 2 1/2, May 2.64 1/2 off 2 3/4.
Wheat: Sep 3.38 1/2 off 7 3/4, Dec 3.50 off 8, Mar 3.56 off 8 3/4, May 3.48 off 5.
Oats: Sep 1.77 off 3 1/2, Dec 1.72 off 3/4, Mar 1.67 1/2 off 1/2, May 1.63 1/2 off 1 1/2.
