scholarly journals Economic Evaluation of Implementing Strawberry Season Extension Production Technologies in the U.S. Intermountain West

HortScience ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 395-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiffany L. Maughan ◽  
Kynda R. Curtis ◽  
Brent L. Black ◽  
Daniel T. Drost
Keyword(s):  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Intermountain West ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
Net Returns ◽  
Study Results ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Season Extension ◽  
Low Tunnels ◽  
The U.S

Strawberry production in the U.S. Intermountain West is limited by harsh climatic conditions and competition from domestic producers and imports. Using season extension methods to combat climatic conditions may be effective but generally increases production costs. This study evaluates the economic returns to implementing high tunnels, low tunnels, and in-ground supplemental heating to strawberry production (Seascape and Chandler cultivars) in northern Utah. The high tunnel provided a net return of $1,943.57 or $15,548.56 per hectare assuming eight high tunnels per hectare. The addition of low tunnels within the high tunnel led to a positive increase in net returns for ‘Seascape’ but not for ‘Chandler’ production. Supplemental in-ground heating increased net returns by up to 50% for both cultivars, primarily as a result of higher pre-season yield and market pricing. Study results find that season extension technologies can successfully increase net returns to strawberry production through early and increased yields, when strawberries are sold primarily through local direct markets.

scholarly journals Growing Organic Heirloom Tomatoes in the Field and High Tunnels in North Carolina: Comparative Economic Analysis

2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olha Sydorovych ◽  
Cary L. Rivard ◽  
Suzanne O’Connell ◽  
Chris D. Harlow ◽  
Mary M. Peet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Economic Analysis ◽  
Open Field ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
High Tunnels

In this study, we conducted an economic analysis of high tunnel and open-field production systems of heirloom tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) based on a two-year study at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) located in Goldsboro, eastern North Carolina. The research site was transitional organic using organically certified inputs and practices on land not yet certified. Production costs and returns were documented in each system and provide a useful decision tool for growers. Climatic conditions varied dramatically in 2007 compared with 2008 and differentially affected total and marketable yields in each system. Profits were higher in the open-field system and the high tunnels in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Sensitivity analysis was conducted using a range of market prices from $1.60/lb to $3.60/lb and a range of fruit marketability levels from 35% to 80%. Both systems were profitable except at the lowest price point and the lowest percent marketability level in high tunnel in 2007. At $2.60/lb, seasonal average sale price reported by growers for this region, and depending on percent marketability levels, the payback period for high tunnels ranged from two to five years. Presented sensitivity tables will enable decision makers to knowledgably estimate economic potential of open-field and high tunnel systems based on expected local prices and fruit quality parameters.

scholarly journals (84) Producing Cut Flowers in High Tunnels and Open Fields

HortScience ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 1067D-1067
Author(s):  
H. Chris Wien
Keyword(s):  
Warm Season ◽  
Single Layer ◽  
Stem Length ◽  
Pest Species ◽  
Cut Flowers ◽  
Eustoma Grandiflorum ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Season Extension ◽  
Choice Of Species

Flowering plants grown and marketed locally as cut flowers have become economically important in recent years, concentrating on species that are too delicate to ship long distances. Although the bulk of this production is done outdoors, extending the season at both ends by using high tunnels (unheated greenhouse structures covered with a single layer of polyethylene), has become popular. To determine the advantages and drawbacks of using high tunnels as season extension structures for cut flowers, variety trials of seven and four flower species were conducted in 2004 and 2005, respectively, both in a high tunnel and in an adjacent field. In the cool, rainy 2004 season, plants in the tunnel were ready for harvest 20 days sooner than the same varieties outside. Outside plants had 25% more stems than tunnel-grown plants, but there was no difference in average stem length. In the dry, warm season of 2005, tunnel-grown plants were 8 days earlier, and had 58% more stems, which were increased in length by 16% over field-grown plants. Lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) and snapdragons (Antirrhinum) were grown in both seasons, and gave similar results both times. Tunnel-grown lisianthus showed a 34% increase in stems per plant, and an 8% increase in stem length, and the stems could be harvested 8 days earlier. Snapdragons were 9 days earlier in the tunnel both years, but tunnel-grown plants produced 22% fewer stems. Disease and insect pressures occurred in both locations, but pest species causing problems differed. With careful choice of species to be grown in tunnels, cut flower production in this environment can be optimized.

scholarly journals Primocane-fruiting Raspberry Production in High Tunnels in a Cold Region of the Upper Midwestern United States

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 429-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shengrui Yao ◽  
Carl J. Rosen
Keyword(s):  
Block Design ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Rubus Idaeus ◽  
Department Of Agriculture ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
Grand Rapids ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Randomized Complete Block Design ◽  
Bare Root ◽  
Plant Hardiness

Five primocane raspberry (Rubus idaeus) cultivars were evaluated in a high tunnel and in the field at Grand Rapids, MN, which is located in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plant hardiness zone 3b. Bare root plants of five cultivars (Autumn Bliss, Autumn Britten, Caroline, Joan J, and Polana) were planted in the high tunnel and in the field, each with a randomized complete block design at 2 × 5.2-ft spacing on 8 May and 14 May 2008, respectively. A propane heater was used periodically for frost protection in the high tunnel. All five cultivars overwintered well and primocanes emerged with minor or no winter damage in the high tunnel in 2009. The high tunnel extended the growing season for ≈4 weeks in both years. Raspberry plants in the high tunnel produced higher yield than those in the field, total 154 lb (6655 lb/acre) from the high tunnel vs. 0.5 lb (43 lb/acre) from the field in 2008 and 379 lb (16,378 lb/acre) vs. 80 lb (3457 lb/acre) in 2009. ‘Caroline’ and ‘Polana’ had higher yields than ‘Autumn Bliss’; ‘Joan J’ and ‘Autumn Britten’ yields were intermediate and not different from ‘Caroline’, ‘Polana’, or ‘Autumn Bliss’ yields. In terms of harvest date, ‘Polana’ was the earliest among the five cultivars tested, followed by ‘Autumn Britten’, ‘Autumn Bliss’, and ‘Joan J’. ‘Caroline’ was the latest. Essential nutrients in leaves for all cultivars both in the field and in the high tunnel were within sufficient ranges. Spider mites (Tetranychidae) and raspberry sawflies (Monophanoides geniculatus) were the major insect problems. In conclusion, primocane-fruiting raspberries can be successfully grown in high tunnels and produce substantially higher yields than in field plantations in northern Minnesota or areas with similar climatic conditions.

scholarly journals High Tunnel and Field Production of Organic Heirloom Tomatoes: Yield, Fruit Quality, Disease, and Microclimate

HortScience ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 47 (9) ◽  
pp. 1283-1290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne O’Connell ◽  
Cary Rivard ◽  
Mary M. Peet ◽  
Chris Harlow ◽  
Frank Louws
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Gray Leaf Spot ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
Horticultural Crops ◽  
Fruit Cracking ◽  
Weather Events ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Season Extension ◽  
Blossom End Rot ◽  
Field Systems

Organic and heirloom tomatoes are high-value products with growing demand but there are many challenges to successful cultivation. A systems comparison study was carried out to evaluate the production of the popular heirloom tomato ‘Cherokee Purple’ (Solanum lycopersicum L.) under high tunnel and open field systems in North Carolina from 2007 to 2008. Management of the high tunnel (i.e., temperature and irrigation), weather events as well as pest and disease pressure influenced crop quality and yield. The high tunnel and field systems achieved similar total yields (100 t·ha−1) the first season but yields were 33% greater in the high tunnel system than the field system in the second year (100 t·ha−1 and 67 t·ha−1, respectively). Both years, the tomatoes were planted in high tunnels 1 month earlier and harvested 3 weeks earlier than the field. The accumulation of ≈1100 growing degree-days (GDD) was required in both systems before 50% of the fruit was harvested. Fruit cracking, cat-facing, blossom-end rot, and insect damage were the major categories of defects in both systems. Incidence of both Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV) and Gray Leaf Spot (GLS) were lower in the high tunnel compared with the field in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Results of this study suggest that with proper management techniques, high tunnels can optimize yields, increase fruit quality, and provide season extension opportunities for high-value horticultural crops.

scholarly journals Economic Analysis of Growing Grafted Cucumber Plants for High Tunnel Production

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-187
Author(s):  
Orlando F. Rodriguez Izaba ◽  
Wenjing Guan ◽  
Ariana P. Torres
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cultural Practice ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
Budget Analysis ◽  
High Tunnels

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is one of the most important vegetables produced and consumed in the United States. In the midwestern United States, a major obstacle to spring cucumber production is low soil temperatures during plant establishment. High tunnel is a popular tool for season extension of vegetable production. Low soil temperature is a challenge for cucumber production even inside high tunnels. Grafting is a cultural practice known to help control soilborne diseases and improve plants’ tolerance to abiotic stresses. Recent studies found that using grafted cucumber plants with cold-tolerant rootstocks greatly benefited early-season seedless cucumber production in high tunnels. The objective of this study was to analyze the economic feasibility of growing grafted cucumber in high tunnels. A comparison of partial costs and returns between growing grafted and nongrafted cucumbers in a high tunnel in Vincennes, IN, was conducted. Data were used to develop a partial budget analysis and sensitivity tests. Data included production costs, marketable yield, and price of cucumber through different market channels. This study provided a baseline reference for growers interested in grafting seedless cucumber and for high tunnel production. Although costs of grafted transplants were higher, their yield and potential revenue helped to offset the higher costs. Results indicated that grafting can help farmers increase net returns through the increasing yield of grafted plants. Results from the sensitivity analysis illustrated how the increased yield of grafted cucumbers offsets the extra cost incurred in the technique while providing a higher revenue. While actual production costs for individual farmers may vary, our findings suggested that grafting can be an economically feasible tool for high tunnel seedless cucumber production.

scholarly journals Floral Crop Production in High Tunnels

2009 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Chris Wien
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Cut Flower ◽  
Cut Flowers ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
Flower Production ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Celosia Argentea ◽  
Low Tunnels ◽  
High Level

High tunnels are well suited for use in the production of floral crops, especially cut flowers. Through the increases in temperature afforded at both ends of the growing season, high tunnels allow earlier and later harvests than are possible in the field. During summer, rain protection and a relatively calm environment provides an ideal growing environment to cut flower crops. In U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Hardiness Zones 3 through 5, the higher temperatures of a high tunnel permit culture of warm-season crops like celosia (Celosia argentea) during summer. Cut flower production allows intensive production on a small land area and provides a high level of income. For these reasons, high tunnels have become a standard part of cut flower growers' farms. Most commonly, they are single-bay structures with roll-up sides, but use of multi-bay complexes is becoming more popular for larger-scale growers. In USDA Hardiness Zones of 7 and higher, high tunnels are shaded in summer to lower interior temperatures and enhance production of shade-tolerant species. Overall, techniques of moderating temperature extremes with shading and ventilation, or use of low tunnels inside to increase minimum temperatures are important options for cut flower production. In the presentation, comparisons will be made in growth and earliness of production and yield for several cut flower species grown in the field and an adjacent high tunnel.

scholarly journals Rowcovers and High Tunnels Enhance Crop Production in the Northeastern United States

1993 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Otho S. Wells ◽  
J. Brent Loy
Keyword(s):  
Return On Investment ◽  
Capital Investment ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Environmental Control ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Management Program ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Season Extension ◽  
Selection Of

Crop growth is enhanced with the use of relatively inexpensive rowcovers and high tunnels. Even though these structures do not provide the same degree of environmental control as greenhouses, they modify the climate sufficiently to lengthen the growing season from 1 to 4 weeks in the spring and 2 to 8 weeks in the fall. Rowcovers generally remain over a crop for 2 to 4 weeks, whereas a high tunnel may function for an entire growing season. Both systems require a relatively low capital investment, provide a good return on investment, and improve the ability of new growers to succeed in the crop production business. The selection of either rowcovers or high tunnels will depend on the management program of a grower; however, both growing systems potentially are economically viable means of season extension.

scholarly journals Improving Growth and Productivity of Early-season High-tunnel Tomatoes with Targeted Temperature Additions

HortScience ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 733-740 ◽  
Author(s):  
Britney Hunter ◽  
Dan Drost ◽  
Brent Black ◽  
Ruby Ward
Keyword(s):  
Energy Requirement ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Plant Performance ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Soil Warming ◽  
Planting Dates ◽  
Early Season ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Low Tunnels

In northern climates where the growing season is shortened by cool spring conditions, high tunnels make it possible to plant and produce tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) at least 1 month earlier than in the field. However, limited high-tunnel research has been performed in arid high-elevation regions that experience extreme diurnal temperature fluctuations. High tunnels are designed to be passively heated; therefore, additional protection from frost may be warranted if growers wish to plant significantly earlier than normal. Low tunnels built within a high tunnel reduce the energy requirement by concentrating heat around the plants, particularly when a heat source is placed inside the low tunnel. ‘Sunbrite’ tomatoes were transplanted through black plastic mulch in four high tunnels in North Logan, UT (lat. 41.73° N, long. 111.83° W, 1382 m elevation) on 17 Mar., 30 Mar., and 7 Apr. in 2009 and on 19 Mar., 30 Mar., and 9 Apr. in 2010. Low tunnels were constructed over each row, and three supplemental heat treatments (unheated, soil-warming cables, and soil-warming cables plus 40-W incandescent lights) were tested to improve plant performance. The highest total marketable yield was achieved for earliest planting dates in both 2009 and 2010. In 2009, early-season yield was significantly greater when both the soil + air were heated, but only for the earliest planting date. In 2010, soil heat alone and in conjunction with air heat significantly improved early-season yield. Information gathered in this study on planting dates, yield, and energy costs provides valuable production and economic information to growers in arid high-elevation climates who desire the benefits of growing early-season tomatoes in high tunnels.

scholarly journals Improving Snapdragon Cut Flower Production through High Tunnel Season Extension, Transplant Timing, and Cultivar Selection

HortScience ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 56 (10) ◽  
pp. 1206-1212
Author(s):  
Maegen Lewis ◽  
Melanie Stock ◽  
Brent Black ◽  
Dan Drost ◽  
Xin Dai
Keyword(s):  
High Elevation ◽  
Stem Length ◽  
Cut Flower ◽  
Cut Flowers ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
Cultivar Selection ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Season Extension ◽  
Long Stem ◽  
Advanced Production

The demand for locally grown, specialty cut flowers is increasing and now includes nontraditional regions for production, such as the U.S. Intermountain West. The objective of this study was to evaluate snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus L.) as a cool season, cut flower crop in northern Utah, where the high elevation and semiarid climate result in a short growing season with strong daily temperature fluctuations. High tunnel and field production methods were trialed in North Logan, UT (41.77°N, 111.81°W, 1382 m elevation) with cultivars ‘Chantilly’, ‘Potomac’, and ‘Rocket’ in 2018 and 2019. Each year, five to six transplant timings at 3-week intervals were tested, beginning in early February in high tunnels and ending in late May in an unprotected field. Stems were harvested and graded according to quality and stem length. High tunnels advanced production by 5 to 8 weeks, whereas field harvests continued beyond the high tunnel harvests by 2 to 8 weeks. High tunnels yielded 103 to 110 total stems per m2 (65% to 89% marketability), whereas field yields were 111 to 162 total stems per m2 (34% to 58% marketability). Overall, production was the greatest with March transplant timings in the high tunnels and mid-April transplant timings in the field. ‘Chantilly’ consistently bloomed the earliest on 4 and 6 May each year, ‘Potomac’ had the highest percentage of long stem lengths, and ‘Rocket’ extended marketable stem production through July in high tunnels. Selecting optimal transplant dates in the high tunnel and field based on cultivar bloom timing maximizes marketable yields and results in a harvest window lasting 4.5 months.

scholarly journals High Tunnel Production of Tomatoes for Season Extension in Southeast Alabama

Horticulturae ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 94
Author(s):  
Bradley Reeder ◽  
Wheeler Foshee ◽  
Eugene Blythe ◽  
Raymond Kessler ◽  
Joseph Kemble ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Total Yield ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Planting Date ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
Solanum Lycopersicum L ◽  
Harvest Dates ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Season Extension ◽  
Marketable Fruit

A series of experiments was conducted to evaluate variety selection and planting date for spring and fall season extension of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. (syn.: Lycoperisicon esculentum Mill.)) production in high tunnels in southeast Alabama. ‘BHN 640’, ‘Florida 91’, ‘Sun Leaper’, and ‘Carolina Gold’ were evaluated for early spring production in 2004. These varieties did not differ in total yield of marketable fruit; however, ‘BHN 640’ and ‘Sun Leaper’ produced higher early yields compared with the other varieties. ‘BHN 640’ and ‘Florida 91’ were evaluated for late-season extension in fall 2004. ‘BHN 640’ produced higher yields of large, medium, total marketable, and unmarketable fruit grades than ‘Florida 91’. In a study conducted in early 2005, higher yields of marketable fruit were produced from the first planting date (31 January) compared with the final of four planting date (25 Mar.). In summary, results indicated that season extension of tomato production in high tunnels was possible, with harvests three weeks earlier in the spring and 12 weeks later in the fall compared with typical field harvest dates. These early yields can command prices from $3.30 to $4.40US per kg of fruit.

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