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CAFRE: Production of early season strawberries

The main strawberry fruit production period in Northern Ireland is from May to August. In response to an increasing interest from local growers in producing fresh strawberry fruit outside the main strawberry season, CAFRE will host a soft fruit technical training event on Wednesday 23rd March at 2pm at the Horticulture Centre in Greenmount Campus, Antrim

At the event, growers will have an opportunity to see an early crop of three varieties (Malling Centenary, Elsanta and Limalexia) grown in a heated Venlo Glasshouse under flowering lamps with and without supplementary lighting.

Berta Cunha (CAFRE’s Soft Fruit Advisor) and Kostas Xyntaris (CAFRE’s Senior Horticulture Technologist) will be joined by Mark Horner from Engage Agro to discuss environmental control, nutrition, plant growth and bio-pesticide usage in strawberry production.

This workshop is open to all growers and soft fruit businesses. If you have any queries or require further information on the event, please contact Kieran Lavelle, Senior Horticulture Development Adviser, Horticulture Branch, CAFRE Mob: 0799057589, Email: kieran.lavelle@daera-ni.gov.uk