In Maine, the spotted wing drosophila, an invasive species, has proliferated earlier than expected due to warm weather conditions, affecting the strawberry season adversely. Specialists at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension have identified this pest as a significant threat since its arrival in 2011, impacting primarily raspberry, blackberry, and blueberry crops. This year, the fly has also targeted the strawberry crop, resulting in some farms in Cape Elizabeth, including Maxwell's Farm and Jordan's Farm, to halt their pick-your-own seasons prematurely. These farms have taken to social media to inform the public about the cessation of strawberry picking, with Jordan's Farm opting to source berries from another local farm to meet customer demand.
Despite the challenges posed by the spotted wing drosophila, not all strawberry growers in Maine have reported issues. Farms like Pineland Farms in New Gloucester and R. Belanger & Sons Farms in Lewiston are continuing their operations, with the latter noting accelerated berry ripening due to warm weather and rainfall. According to sunjournal.com, University of Maine Cooperative Extension's specialists are currently assessing the overall impact on the state's strawberry yield and emphasize the need for berry growers to be proactive in their pest control measures from the onset of the season.
Impact of wet summer on Simcoe-Muskoka strawberry farmers
The recent wet conditions in June have had a mixed impact on agriculture in Simcoe-Muskoka, Canada. The increased precipitation has adversely affected several local farmers and their produce. Barrie Hill Farms, a local strawberry producer, has experienced a total loss of its strawberry crop due to the combination of heat and excessive rainfall, as stated by owner Morris Gervais. This unfortunate turn of events led to the cancellation of the farm's Canada Day Strawberry Festival.
Source: barrie.ctvnews.ca