Temperatures will get down to the low-to-mid 20s in southeast Louisiana this weekend where strawberries are produced. But Tangipahoa Parish Associate Extension Agent Mary Helen Ferguson says producers are prepared for below-freezing temps.
“Most strawberry growers have covers on their plants now, especially if they double cover those plants, they should be able to get 10-degrees of protection,” said Ferguson.
Before this weekend, Louisiana was experiencing a mild winter, which Ferguson says has allowed some strawberry growers to begin picking berries.
“I was at a farmer’s field a few days ago, they had been picking some that day and they just pulled the row covers back and picked them and put them back on,” said Ferguson.
The mild winter has allowed for boil-worthy crawfish in January. But Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says this weekend’s cold weather will make it difficult for crawfish farmers to catch mudbugs and they don’t grow when it’s this cold.
“It will kind push them back maybe by a week or so, but as soon as it warms up, they’ll be back in action,” said Strain.
Strain says at least high temperatures are getting into the 40s Friday and Saturday, so this arctic blast is just a hiccup for what should be a great crawfish season…
“As long as we got out and we don’t have that 18, 19 20-degrees, where it doesn’t warm up and get into the high 30s that would have a much more negative impact on crawfish,” said Strain.
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