The strawberry cultivation landscape in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, reflects a dynamic shift this season. Growers report robust yields, attributed to conducive weather patterns featuring timely rain and adequate sunlight. According to Jordan Eyamie, head of Horticulture Nova Scotia, this year's initial strawberry harvest exceeded 6,700 quarts per day, surpassing expectations compared to the typical 1,000 quarts. "The season is exploding," Eyamie notes, after a challenging two years for strawberry producers.
Meanwhile, concerns persist regarding the fungal threat Neopestalotiopsis (Neo-P), impacting other provinces' berry operations. Fortunately, Neo-P has not been detected in Nova Scotia, offering growers relief and stability in their production cycle. Parallel to strawberry trends, Peter Elderkin, another prominent grower, highlights the satisfactory development of cherry crops, despite a recent history of adverse weather impacts, including a significant loss last season due to a heavy rainstorm. "So far, so good, although like last year, we had that one big rain storm," says Elderkin, illustrating the ongoing vigilance required in crop management.
As cherries approach maturity within the next 10 days, Elderkin's focus will soon shift toward peaches and apples, which also exhibit potential for quality production this year. The agricultural community remains watchful, planning methods to mitigate future fungal threats and optimize yields. As the season advances, stakeholders anticipate further developments pertinent to weather impacts and disease management strategies.
Source: CTV News
