Today's newsletter includes the third maturity update for Ambrosia. These results point to an early maturity and harvest similar to the 2024 season. The Ambrosia blocks being monitored are within the harvest window or are nearly ready. Also note that the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture is hosting a regional town hall about the drought and wildfire impacts tomorrow on Wednesday, October 8.
----
Please note that the DA meter is misaligned with maturity indices this year and is giving variable results, therefore our preference is for relying on starch and flavour as maturity indicators. The DA meter was developed as a tool based on the relationship between chlorophyll degradation and the rate of change of maturity indices and in some years the relationship may not align.
- Even if DA values do not make sense for comparing years, the values should still be useful for comparing blocks to decide which to harvest first.
Important Note - The following information is for general industry purposes only. Growers are encouraged to use their own discretion to harvest trees that are exhibiting delayed colour development or exhibiting maturity indices that disagree with what is being reported here. Values were measured on an average of fruit that were representative of the block's crop load and tree vigour. Fruit for Ambrosia samples were taken from throughout entire trees to target a one-pick harvest to strip the trees.
Table 1: Maturity indices for Ambrosia fruit sampled in the current year on Tuesday, October 7.
- Similar to Honeycrisp, the maturity varies greatly by block and region.
- Local research by John Delong et al. 2013 showed that optimal values of the starch index for long-term storage of Ambrosia are between 2.8 and 4.5.
- The Rockland starch index of 3.5 suggests the block is currently within the harvest window for long-term storage. As an estimate, the block will likely remain within the window for one week.
- The starch index on the ReTain treated fruit in Lakeville is 2.7 at the start of the harvest window and taste is agreeable. North Medford is currently at 2.3 with some mild starchy flavour and is expected to be ready within about 3-4 days.
- Consider Harvista if labour issues are anticipated.
- The Ambrosia starch index values are almost identical to what was recorded last year at this same time. Last year's harvest dates may be used as guidance.
- Soluble solids values in our region for Ambrosia tend to be 12% at around optimum harvest maturity and this year the values are already higher than usual, especially on young trees.
- Yellow coloured background is present on the Rockland sample, in agreement with harvest maturity. At Lakeville and North Medford the background colour is developing more yellowish tones (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Progression of ground colour change over time in 2025. Samples from each region are included from top to bottom over three sample dates. Yellow tones indicate approaching maturity.
About each maturity measurement:
Starch Index - Starch is converted to sugars as ripening progresses. The starch-iodine test is used because iodine binds to starch molecules turning them blue/black, whereas sugars are not stained and remain clear. The Cornell chart on a scale of 1 to 8 was used above and values are an average of ten representative samples from each block.
Soluble Solids - Approximates the percentage of sugar content of the fruit. Measured using a digital refractometer. Values are an average of ten representative samples from each block taken on the blush side of each fruit.
DA Meter - The delta absorbance (DA) value is related to the chlorophyll content of the peel. AAFC researchers in Kentville developed a protocol for Honeycrisp and Ambrosia. Values shown above are the average of twenty fruit taken throughout a block, with readings taken on the transition area between the sun and shade exposed sides. DA values will be noticeably different between the most mature and least mature fruit on a tree.
Tree Nutrition
There has been some preliminary discussion around how to boost bud and overall tree health for the 2026 season. If there is time this season and while leaves are still on trees, there may be an opportunity to apply foliar nutrition that could be mobilized to the root system. Thank you to Kendra in New Brunswick for sharing information from Dr. Lailiang Cheng that reads:
"When there is drought stress in the fall, root uptake of nutrients is negatively affected, leading to lower reserve nutrient status in the tree particularly nitrogen and boron. If the trees are defoliated early due to drought, this would make the situation worse. We have been recommending putting on two sprays of foliar urea after fruit harvest at 10 days apart (from late Sept to late October) at 3% (25 lbs of urea per 100 gals of water). In the spray you can also add 1 lb of Solubor. These sprays are particularly important for trees with marginal N and B levels (leaf N < 2%; leaf B <25 ppm).
Notices
TOMORROW: NSFA Regional Town Hall in Berwick - Impacts of Drought and Wildfire
The Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture is hosting regional town halls. The Valley session is on Wednesday, October 8 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the Christ Anglican Church (238 Commercial Street, Berwick). Registration is required. Here is the agenda:(6:40pm) Context Setting – Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture & Department of Agriculture
Sharing key themes heard across commodities and regions, and highlight current government considerations alongside NSFA’s advocacy efforts.
(6:55pm) Farmer Input & Discussion – Facilitated
Share your experiences with us — the impacts you’re facing, extraordinary costs on your plate, and ideas for support that could make a difference, both in this moment and for future farm resilience.
(7:30pm) Resource Spotlight & Connection Time
Learn about supports available through NSFA (EFP, Farmer Wellness, Emergency Management), NSDA (Farm Loan Board, Crop & Livestock Insurance, Ag Reps), as well as Perennia and FCC – with the opportunity to connect one-on-one.
Sharing key themes heard across commodities and regions, and highlight current government considerations alongside NSFA’s advocacy efforts.
(6:55pm) Farmer Input & Discussion – Facilitated
Share your experiences with us — the impacts you’re facing, extraordinary costs on your plate, and ideas for support that could make a difference, both in this moment and for future farm resilience.
(7:30pm) Resource Spotlight & Connection Time
Learn about supports available through NSFA (EFP, Farmer Wellness, Emergency Management), NSDA (Farm Loan Board, Crop & Livestock Insurance, Ag Reps), as well as Perennia and FCC – with the opportunity to connect one-on-one.
Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture - 2025 Drought Impact Assessment Survey
The NSFA are gathering feedback from farmers on the impacts of the 2025 drought. The results will be shared with the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture to help inform future programs and supports.
This short survey (10–15 minutes) will give you the opportunity to share:
This short survey (10–15 minutes) will give you the opportunity to share:
How your farm operations were affected.
The challenges you faced.
What supports are most needed going forward.
All responses are confidential and will only be reported in aggregate.
By sharing your experience, you are helping shape future programs, advocacy, and supports that can strengthen farm resilience in the face of extreme weather. Share Your Impact with NSFA. (NSFGA from a few weeks ago was a separate survey).
The challenges you faced.
What supports are most needed going forward.
All responses are confidential and will only be reported in aggregate.
By sharing your experience, you are helping shape future programs, advocacy, and supports that can strengthen farm resilience in the face of extreme weather. Share Your Impact with NSFA. (NSFGA from a few weeks ago was a separate survey).
Nova Scotia Crop & Livestock Insurance Commission
The Nova Scotia Crop & Livestock Insurance Commission has advised that for any insured perennial crops showing plant damage that may result in yield loss next year, they encourage producers to submit a Notice of Damage now.
AgriStability 2025 – Late Participation Now Open for Nova Scotia Producers
Although the enrolment deadline for 2025 has passed you can still participate in AgriStability as a late participant. Nova Scotia farmers now have until September 30, 2026, to join the AgriStability program as late participants, thanks to a special provision granted in response to ongoing challenges in the agricultural sector.AgriStability provides financial support when your farm's 2025 production margin falls by more than 30% below your reference margin, helping producers manage risks from weather events, rising costs, and market disruptions. Late participation ensures that more producers can access vital support—even if they missed the original enrolment deadline.
Please reach out to the Business Risk Management Advisory for more details- Erin Sears (902) 324-8784, Erin.Sears@novascotia.ca
Perennia Food and Agriculture Corp.
Edited by Michelle Cortens, Tree Fruit Specialist
Edited by Michelle Cortens, Tree Fruit Specialist
