Fruit Program News

Crop insurance deadline November 20!

Crop insurance for apples is available in all Massachusetts counties.  Crop insurance for peaches is available in Hampshire, Hampden, Middlesex & Worcester counties. Peaches in other Massachusetts counties may be insured by Written Agreement (a process completed by a licensed Federal Crop Insurance agent using existing actuarial data from neighboring counties) if specific criteria are met.  If crop insurance is not available, similar protection may be available through the Non-insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) from the USDA - Farm Service Agency (FSA) Office that serves your farming operation.  All other fruit crops may be insured through a Written Agreement or NAP.

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Does crop insurance pay?

This year has been one of the most challenging in the history of Massachusetts farming. We saw record low temperatures in February that wiped out the 2016 peach crop followed by extreme low temperatures in April followed by an extreme drought. All farmers suffered losses on almost every crop either by lower yields and/or increase operating expenses. Every farmer got a chance to evaluate their risk management plan. Did they have coverage and was it at the right level? 

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Apple maturity reports have started...

2016 apple maturity reports have started, click here for details...

Disaster Assistance Drought Survey

Drought Survey

In order to seek a disaster declaration and disaster relief for Massachusetts farmers ...

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2016 Drought Information and Resources

MA Drought Map for 9-16-16 2016 Drought Status and Related Information -
As of Sept. 16, 2016 the US Drought Monitor is reporting over 98% of Massachusetts is in a state of Moderate to Extreme Drought.  See: http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Home/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?MA.  Extreme Drought (area shaded in red) now extends across the state to Western Mass and covers over 50% of the land area of the state. 

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2016 Insecticides for Blueberry, Strawberry, Brambles and Grapes for Controlling SWD (UConn)
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Clemson smartphone app series tackles fruit diseases and pests

Fruit growers can now fight insects and disease from the palm of their hands with technology developed at Clemson University and in collaboration with scientists from Cornell University, the University of Massachusetts, Penn State University, the North Carolina State University, and the University of Georgia.

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Updates to the 2016 New England Small Fruit Management Guide

2016 New England Small Fruit Management Guide Updates

Mass Aggie Seminars 2016

The 2016 Mass Aggie Workshop Series has been unveiled.  See the full slate of workshops here.

Fruit nutrient management guidelines

A Nutrient Management page has been added to umassfruit.com. Both tree and small fruit nutrient management recommendations and guidelines have been added to assist fruit growers in meeting the requirements of the Massachusetts Plant Nutrient Management Regulations, which for Agriculture, goes into effect December 5, 2015.

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