As prices fall, strawberry farmers plow crops under

[Newsjock]

Source: St. Petersburg Times

For weeks, it was difficult to find strawberries at grocery stores. Now, the shelves brim with cartons of berries and the prices are especially low.

But while shoppers are scoring on sales, the story out in the fields isn't so happy. Many farmers are plowing bushes filled with ripening strawberries under because they're not making enough to cover their costs.

... Decades ago, during this time of year, farmers would turn their fields over for U-pick to finish up the season. But liability and a preference for planting a spring crop has caused that tradition to dwindle to just a few local farms.

Now, farmers just let the berries rot on the plants. It might seem wasteful, but they explain that if they pick for such low profits, they'll lose money. They can't afford to do that — especially after such a bad season.

Read more: http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/agriculture/as-prices-fall-strawberry-farmers-plow-crops-under/1082628