July 2019 - 24

INDUSTRY NEWS
USDA estimates 2019
cherry crop numbers
crop this year.
United States sweet cherry
production is forecast at 362,000
tons, up 13% from 2018.
In Washington and Oregon, warm
spring conditions have been optimal
for the crop.
In California, growers reported
sufficient chill and precipitation
leading to a good crop this season.
The USDA's National Agricultural
Statistics Service on June 11
forecast 2019 production numbers
for cherry crops.
United States tart cherry
production is forecast at 290
million pounds, down 18% from
the 2018 production.
In Michigan, the largest tart cherryproducing
state, growers reported
an average crop. Cooler than normal
spring weather conditions led to
a delay in the crop. Utah growers
reported an above average crop
similar to the previous year.
In New York, growers reported an
average crop and bloom.
In Washington, growers reported
warm spring weather conditions
and expect harvest to begin later
than normal.
In Wisconsin, cool and wet
conditions led to a delay in the
Tree Assistance Program
cuts replant costs
disease. TAP could be used to
help growers reduce the expenses
associated with replanting.
To qualify for TAP assistance,
eligible fruit growers and nursery
operators must have tree, bush, or
vine mortality losses in excess of 15%
for the stand (adjusted for normal
mortality) from an eligible natural
disaster. Mortality loss on a stand
of eligible trees, bushes, or vines is
based on each eligible disaster event,
except for losses due to plant
disease where the time period for
when the stand could be infected
is determined by USDA-Farm
Service Agency (USDA-FSA). Losses
must have been unpreventable
using reasonable and available
management practices and must be
visible and obvious to the USDAFSA
inspector.
The Tree Assistance Program (TAP)
was reauthorized under the 2018
Farm Bill. Plantings eligible for TAP
include trees, bushes and vines from
which an annual crop is produced
for commercial purposes and fruit,
nut, ornamental and Christmas trees
produced for commercial sale. Many
growers have experienced losses over
the past year due to wet weather,
winter injury, insect damage and
For more information, or
to file a claim, contact a local
USDA-FSA office.
Vestaron gets $40M
in Series B financing
Vestaron, a company pursuing the
safety, efficacy and sustainability
of crop protection through its
development of peptide-based
biopesticides, has received $40
million Series B Financing, led by
Novo Holdings A/S.
Novo Holdings joins continuing
investors Anterra Capital, Cultivian
Sandbox, Open Prairie Ventures
and Pangaea Ventures.
With its proprietary platform for
the optimization and production
of peptide-based biopesticides,
Vestaron is developing a novel
class of crop protection products -
peptides (small proteins) that have
the proven modes of action and
thus the same efficacy as traditional
synthetics but with the safety and
environmental friendliness of
biologics.
Vestaron has recently launched
its first two products. Spear-T is
designed for greenhouse use and
controls all four major greenhouse
pests - thrips, whiteflies, aphids
and mites. Spear-Lep is designed
for field use and controls
lepidopteran pests.
The company will use the
additional funds to support the
commercialization of its Spear
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July 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of July 2019