Asparagus
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 »
Dutch company offers asparagus weighing machine
Christiaens Agro Systems, a Dutch company, is offering a weighing machine for making asparagus packages.The machine consists of a line with a conveyor belt and a packaging apparatus. The line weighs every single spear and... more »
Buyer beware: Farm labor contracts require scrutiny
Craig Anderson had some pointed advice for asparagus growers who were contemplating the use of farm labor contractors this spring to help fill gaps in their shrinking employment pool."We know a lot of them say,... more »
Lack of labor puts Michigan asparagus harvest on hold
Michigan asparagus is ready to be harvested, but a lack of labor is putting things on hold.And this isn't a new issue. Here's more from WZZM13, a television station based out of Grand Rapids, Michigan:Asparagus... more »
Maintain quality during postharvest handling
Successful marketing of fresh fruits and vegetables depends on maintaining the quality through harvest and beyond.Marita Cantwell, postharvest specialist at the University of California, Davis, said in a presentation at the Mid-Atlantic Fruit & Vegetable... more »
Control herbicide-resistant pigweeds in asparagus with alternative modes of action
The Photosystem II (PS II) inhibiting herbicides have been used successfully in asparagus production for over 50 years. Current PS II inhibitors labeled for use in asparagus include Karmex (diuron), Lorox (linuron), Sinbar (terbacil) and... more »
Reduce the temperature of asparagus once it’s harvested
Randy Beaudry has respect for the makeup of what he believes is the most perishable of vegetables – asparagus. "Asparagus is kind of an amazing vegetable," said the professor in Michigan State University's Department of... more »
Cool asparagus as quickly as possible once harvested
Randy Beaudry has respect for the makeup of what he believes is the most perishable of vegetables – asparagus."Asparagus is kind of an amazing vegetable," said the professor in Michigan State University's Department of Horticulture,... more »