US (LA): Cold good for peaches, strawberries protected

Louisiana farmers say this week's cold is good for peaches in north Louisiana - and, farther south, strawberries covered against the cold should be fine. Joe Mitcham of Ruston says his peaches need 850 to 1,000 hours of temperatures below 45 degrees to produce a good crop. He says the total on Monday was 814 hours, and this week should add a full hundred. As for himself, he's staying inside.
Anthony Baglio (BAG-lee-oh), who has about an acre of strawberries in Independence, said he was picking berries Wednesday, and just a few days in the 70s will ripen more.