Fruit Program News

  • Crop insurance deadline November 20!

    October 30, 2016
    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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  • red haven bud 041416

    Does crop insurance pay?

    October 29, 2016
    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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  • 2016 Drought Information and Resources

    September 16, 2016
    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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  • honey crisp apple

    Apple maturity reports have started...

    August 22, 2016

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

  • Disaster Assistance Drought Survey

    August 1, 2016
    Drought Survey In order to seek a disaster declaration and disaster relief for Massachusetts farmers ...
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  • 2016 Insecticides for Blueberry, Strawberry, Brambles and Grapes for Controlling SWD (UConn)

    July 8, 2016
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  • my ipm logo

    Clemson smartphone app series tackles fruit diseases and pests

    May 6, 2016
    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

    April 21, 2016

    2016 New England Small Fruit Management Guide Updates

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  • Mass Aggie Seminars 2016

    December 29, 2015

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

  • Fruit nutrient management guidelines

    November 21, 2015

    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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