CONTROL DISEASE AND IMPROVE STRAWBERRY YIELDS NATURALLY – ALL SEASON LONG Strawberry growers looking for improved yields and better control of profit-robbing fungal disease such as Botrytis Gray Mold can use the Vectorhive™ system to deliver the microbial bio-fungicide VECTORITE™ with CR-7, both from Bee Vectoring Technology (BVT). EPA-approved in 2019, the system gives growers easy and efficient, season-long control of disease by using commercially-reared bees to deliver its biological pesticide alternatives. This unique delivery application is unlike any other product on the market, giving growers early and precise delivery of a disease prevention product directly to where strawberry plants are most at risk – the flower. As the bees pollinate a crop, they leave behind the foundation for a season-long disease management program that encourages even, progressive growth, and a healthy, high-yield harvest.
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Sizemore Farms, a top-tier grower of Florida strawberries, was the first commercial grower deal for BVT. Sizemore Farms used the system on 100% of their
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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
July 2020
62-acre organic strawberry crop this past season and is considering testing the naturally-derived fungicide on a portion of their 600+ conventional acres for possible implementation on next season’s crop. Typically, growers start with a pilot on a smaller crop before progressively adopting it across their entire operation over two to three seasons. John Sizemore, fourth-generation grower and co-owner of Sizemore Farms with his brother Jeff, is a grower and shipper of the Florida Supreme brand strawberries. He has clearly observed that consumers want more organics and fewer chemicals, and isn’t surprised that organic strawberries have become the fastest growing segment of his business. However, he also knows that growing produce in Florida’s finicky climate has its challenges, so he’s excited about using BVT’s unique biological product and process to ensure a quality crop.
A practical tool with strong ROI, healthier plants and better fruit The system is a practical tool for growers and routinely delivers strong return on investment for conventional fields. For organic fields, this natural system plays a pivotal role in disease control. BVT’s CR-7 has Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) approval for organic production and is also exempt from residue tolerance testing, making it an ideal tool for both conventional and organic berry growers. Grower feedback included field observations that the plants are healthier, with bigger, nicer, and fuller fruit. The feedback is supported by findings from recent Florida based trials: • A 2019 University of Florida trial found that using this system along with a fungicide program provided better marketable yield (+34%) and better Botrytis control (12% reduction) than using a fungicide program alone. • In the 2018-19 season, Florida strawberry growers using the system saw WWW.INTHEFIELDMAGAZINE.COM