Asparagus
Taking control: CA storage for asparagus extends season
Asparagus growers are intrigued with the potential for extending the shelf life of the highly perishable crop to boost its postharvest life and lengthen a more profitable marketing window. Some research has been done on... more »
Growers approve Michigan asparagus program
Michigan’s asparagus producers have approved a referendum to continue the Michigan Asparagus Industry Development Program. Growers vote on whether to continue the program every five years; this validates it to June 7, 2028. [caption id="attachment_17737"... more »
Bonds recognized as Pennsylvania Young Growers
The Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association (PVGA) has named Kevin and Morgan Bond as recipients of the 2023 Young Grower Award. The Bonds help operate and manage B&R Farms in Ringtown, Pennsylvania, which is owned and... more »
Tips to curb asparagus disease damage
Foliar disease damage from purple spot and soilborne disease damage from crown and root rots are still major threats to asparagus. That’s the message from Mary Hausbeck, Michigan State University vegetable disease pathologist. Hausbeck talked... more »
Asparagus Day a discussion forum
International expertise, regional research and industry insights were presented to Michigan asparagus growers on March 11 at Oceana Asparagus Day. Twelve months ago, COVID-19 was just beginning and a few lockdown procedures were in place.... more »
Krohne Plant Farms nursery operation sold
Friends within a niche of the specialty crops industry signed papers in December to transfer the strawberry and asparagus nursery sales operation of Michigan’s Krohne Plant Farms Inc. to the Indiana Berry & Plant Co.... more »
Markets recovering from COVID-19
Vegetable growers’ biggest obstacle seems to be market demand diminished by the COVID-19 pandemic that for months shut down restaurants and food service, and complicated farm operations and distribution. In early June, growers were getting... more »
Michigan asparagus season kicks off in time for holiday
As consumers eagerly await the arrival of this season’s crop of Michigan asparagus, the weather decided to make them wait just a little longer. Cooler temperatures in late April and early May – and even... more »
US asparagus crop down slightly, but up in Michigan
The 2017 U.S. asparagus crop is down just 1 percent from last year, but up in Michigan according to numbers released this week by the USDA. In 2017, the national crop totaled 701,000 cwt, or... more »
Springtime is cutworm time in asparagus
Michigan asparagus is attacked by white cutworms, Euxoa scandens, and dark-sided cutworms, Euxoa messoria. Both species overwinter in Michigan, are present in many habitats and feed on many plants. White cutworm... more »