Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers 2024

As winter is upon us, there are things that growers can do to deal with winter pests. Of course, this is particularly important in winter production and here in Illinois, this is primarily done in high tunnels and greenhouses. In high tunnels, no pest is worse in winter production than aphids (...

As strawberry plasticulture growers are closing in on the end of the fall growing season for the annual production system, the impact of the relatively new strawberry fungal disease, Neopestalotiopsis, is starting to be seen. Even with diligent spray programs, plant death and decline has still been...

The cover crops seeded in the “treatment” high tunnel are growing, although not as evenly as hoped. The crimson clover stand is almost non-existent, and the annual ryegrass stand is much better in plots at the back of the tunnel (photo to right, B. Aly, Illinois Extension 2024). The working theory...

After a warm dry spell of weather in October, we are more wet and have more typical temperatures.  We made up for lost time in precipitation having 8.03 inches of rain for the month of November (as of 11/26).  Most of this came on 11/4 and 11/5 when we got 6.37 inches of rain. This...

For Northern Illinois orchards, the 2024 season has concluded. Between Halloween and Thanksgiving, some of the orchards have limited hours with pre-picked apples as they begin to shut down for the season. One of the final cultivars in October is 'Evercrisp'  a 'Honeycrisp x Fuji' MAIA apple...

The IEEE Smart Ag Working Group is conducting research to learn about the various impacts caused by the lack of interoperability across agricultural systems & technologies. To...

Hello everyone! We are students in the College of ACES who are part of the JBT program. The Jonathan Baldwin Turner (JBT) Scholar program is a renewable, merit-based scholarship program that provides financial support and professional development experiences to create leaders in the field of...

We are now nearly through two-thirds of the fall season, and many folks could be forgiven if they have forgotten what rain sounds like. Much of the state has had less than 1 inch of rain since late September, including parts of east-central Illinois that have seen less than half an inch over the...

We are dry in the area, having received little rainfall in the month of October with only 0.06”.  We did get almost 6” of rain in the last half of September which went a long way to helping fall crops in the field. Temperatures have overall been fairly warm with highs bouncing between the...

Hurricane Francine might have put a damper on the first “official” pumpkin weekend this season, but the following weekends have been near perfect for drawing crowds to fall agritourism activities.  The pumpkin crop is overall good to excellent, and demand is high.  Apple harvest,...

The two-year specialty crop block grant, “Strategies for Improving Biological Control of Insect Pests for Vegetable Growers Utilizing High Tunnels” officially finished data collection in September. During the month of October, tomato, pepper and cut flower plants, stakes, posts, and string have...

Food Works Southern Illinois Farming Alliance is hosting a Mechanical Weed Control Field Day on two dates from two different locations in the southern Illinois region. Each of these is a full day workshop with lunch included. Tuesday, October 8, Beet Root Farm, Carbondale, IL with be hosting the...

It’s here and now we have to deal with it.  Neopestalotiopsis fruit rot and leaf spot of strawberry, caused by a previously unknown, more aggressive Neopestalotiopsis ...

Weather update by Trent Ford, Illinois State Climatologist.Climatological summer encompasses June, July, and August, and the season often brings more than its fair share of intense weather. This past season was on the mild side, temperature-wise. June started the season with warmer than normal...

In our current research project, “Strategies for Improving Biological Control of Insect Pests for Vegetable Growers Utilizing High Tunnels”, tomato harvest has ramped back up now that the raccoon situation is under control. Overall fruit size is smaller while flavor and white core has...

Operations with agritourism opportunities have really geared up for the fall season and everyone is hoping for great weather these next four weekends leading up to Halloween. The last weekend of September brought welcomed rain to the St Louis Metro East, breaking a moderate drought before it became...