SMALL FRUIT UPDATE | WEEK 16 |
APRIL 13, 2022
Blueberries in the snow. Willamette Valley OR. April 10, 2022. Photo by Julie Pond
WHAT'S INSIDE Julie Pond
NORTHWEST BERRY FOUNDATION
INDUSTRY RESOURCES
It was very strange to see snow in the very near foothills while traipsing through the
GROWER RESOURCES
fields over the weekend. Even more so to see snow covering blueberry blooms and
weighing down caneberry canopies! The cold front is here. Please follow all weather
INDUSTRY NEWS
warnings in your area. Crops are vulnerable!
PEST MANAGEMENT This cool/damp pattern also brings fungal concerns as bloom begins. This will
force a tighter fungicide interval. For now, the main obstacle is getting through the
SFU SPONSORS cold mornings. Blueberries seem to be within the main temperature risk threshold
though early varieties in other crops might also factor in. Here is a blueberry floral
damage reminder based on Blueberry growth stages and critical spring
temperatures (Michigan State Extension)
The relevant stages & temperature thresholds from the chart:
Bud Swell: “Visible swelling of buds; scales separated. Can tolerate 10-15 F (-12 to -9 C)”.
Tight cluster: “Individual flowers distinguishable. Can tolerate 20-23 F (-7 to -5 C)”.
Subscribe Here Early pink bud: “Expanding flowers are visible and have separated. Can tolerate 23-25 F
(-5 to -4 C)”
Small Fruit Update is
produced once a week
Late pink bud: “Individual flowers are fully developed, white but still closed. Can tolerate
during the growing
24-27 F (-4.4 to -2.8 C)”
season and bimonthly
outside the growing Open bloom: “Can tolerate 28 F (-2.2 C)”
season (Oct - Feb)
Here's to hoping for extra cloud cover/warmer temperatures.
NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 01
Grower Resources
REGIONAL FIELD REPORTS
Oregon, Willamette Valley (4/12) From Julie Pond, Peerbolt Crop Management, Portland, OR
Blueberries: Bees are moving into some early blooming blueberry varieties. For reference Legacy was around 2-10%
bloom this week. Lots of bloom sprays and fertilizers have gone on recently.
Raspberries: Flower buds are forming in early raspberry varieties. Primocanes are up between 4' and 8' so burning will be
happening soon. Blackberries are looking great with primocanes just starting to pop up now. The occasional flower bud
formed. I'm not seeing any Rose Stem Girdler burrowed into the canes.
June bearing Strawberries: Sweet Sunrise is probably 10 days from blooming based on the cooler/rainy weather ahead.
Hood has buds formed but only a stressed out bloom opening here and there. Marys Peak has leaves still unfolding.
Overall, the plants overwintered well.
British Columbia, Fraser Valley (4/12) From Chuck Mouritzen, Southwest Crop Consulting, Chilliwack, BC
Blueberries: Unsettled weather continues to hamper work here in the Fraser valley. We've had cold weather, hail and rain
and then one day at 20C (68F) in the past week. This upcoming week looks cool again with daytime lows forecast at just
above 0C (32F) and highs below 10C (50F). Development is progressing, however, with Dukes/Bluecrop at early pink bud
with increasing leaf formation which should get plants picking up developmental speed. Fertilizing continues, as does
mummyberry controls. Increasing evidence of clay coloured weevil activity should warn growers to consider control
measures in baby fields and in established fields before bloom if necessary. Especially pay attention in fields formerly in
raspberries. We look to be a couple of weeks away from bloom unless the weather perks up. There is now some concern
for adequate bee supplies. Growers should have checked by now with their apiarist to avoid surprises.
Raspberries: Raspberry lateral growth in Chemainus, Squamish, Rudi, Cascade Premier is moving well along with Meeker
and Wakefield lagging somewhat. Clay coloured weevil activity is more evident here as well. And yellow rust controls are
starting to be applied when weather permits.
British Columbia, Fraser Valley (4/12) From Jason Smith, Grower
We have been and are experiencing erratic weather. There were hail storms this past weekend and again today. There
were a couple days where we saw sun and temperatures definitely warmed up but then went back to cold. Hoping they are
correct that it will be dry for a few days in a row moving forward. Mummyberry and spanworm sprays continue as well as
weed control, both post and pre-emerge. It's now very obvious some of our extreme weather has impacted the amount of
fruit there will be on certain varieties. Hoping for good weather for the bloom period.
Frost ALERT:
Heed weather warnings in your area. Here are some early spring weather risks discussion points:
Pictorial blueberry growth stages with temperature damage thresholds:
Blueberry growth stages and critical spring temperatures (Michigan State Extension)
Early spring weather management information:
Using your sprinkler system to protect blueberries from freezes (Eric Hansen, Michigan State Small Fruit Specialist)
(All berries) Frost protection: Tips & Techniques (Kathy Demchek, Penn State)
Frost & freeze protection: Blueberries (www.eXtension.org)
WSU Cold Hardiness model from AgWeatherNet.
NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 02
Blueberry Bud Development
PATR I O T BLUEJAY DUKE DRAP E R TOP S H E LF LIBE R T Y AURO R A LAST C A LL
WEEK 15 4/8/2022
WEEK 15 4/9/2021
WEEK 14 4/10/2020
WEEK 14 4/5/2019
PATR I O T BLUEJAY DUKE DRAP E R TOP S H E LF LIBE R T Y AURO R A LAST C A LL
Industry News
Expressions of Interest - BC Berries
Please see the attached call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) for BC Berries (i.e., the BC Blueberry
Council, Raspberry Industry Development Council, and BC Strawberry Grower’s Association). BC
Berries is in the process of planning for an application to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
for funding under the next federal policy framework from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2028. The
current EOI to BC Berries is due on April 15th, 2022 – please submit to
[email protected].
For projects that are selected by the berry industry’s research committees, full proposals will be
requested in May and will be due in September.
PODCASTS OF THE INDUSTRY
The Business of Blueberries: A podcast from the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council hosted by Kasey
Cronquist and Rod Cook.
A LEGACY OF BLUEBERRY RESEARCH WITH BERNADINE STRIK
PolliNation: A podcast from Oregon State University Extension Service hosted by Dr. Andony
Melathopoulos.
209 - BURGETT - WORKING TOGETHER IN THE PNW
NEWSLETTERS OF THE INDUSTRY
Behind The Blue USHBC President Kasey Cronquist Named NAMA Ag Association Leader of the Year, Brain Health Month Toolkit
Train the Trainer Food Safety Practices workshops External
Western IPM Center April Newsletter
The VacCAP Newsletter Issue 4
NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 04
FEATURED LINKS
USHBC President, Kasey Cronquist named NAMA Ag Association Leader of the year (4/8, Perishable News)
B.C.: Raspberry replant funding gets a boost (3/30, Country Life in BC)
Snowpack, precipitation decline across much of Oregon (4/7, Capital Press)
Is the ‘Dirty Dozen’ list losing traction? (4/8, The Packer)
Pollinator supportive trees and shrubs for farm and orchard windbreaks (4/8, Michigan State U.) Michigan oriented but with a lot of NW
applicable information
GROWER RESOURCES
New raspberry varieties, developed and 100% Chilean owned are unveiled READ MORE
(4/7, America Fruit)
COMPANIES
Well-Pict sees shift in consumer behavior READ MORE
(4/11, The Packer)
Blueberry farming: Overview of field production of Columbia Fruit berries in Woodland WA.—12 minute video READ MORE
(1/13/21, YouTube)
NORTH AMERICA
Blueberry production in Florida READ MORE
(4/6, Specialty Crop Industry)
COUNCILS/COMMISSIONS
Blueberry council seeks applicants for leadership training program READ MORE
(4/7, Fresh Plaza)
Cascade Harvest raspberry in the snow. Willamette Valley OR. April 10, 2022. Photo by Julie Pond.
NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 05
April Crop Management for Week 16
Nutrient Management
We're getting into a traditional time for applying fertilizer. Many growers still apply the first blueberry application
just before the buds break. Research has shown that the plant takes up very little nitrogen before late April.
Recommended timing for split applications in the Willamette Valley is 1/3 in late April, 1/3 in mid-May and 1/3 in
mid-June.
OSU's "Nutrient Management for Blueberries in Oregon"
OSU's "Caneberries Nutrient Management Guide"
OSU's "Strawberry Nutrient Management Guide for Oregon and Washington"
In most years, activities involving the management of the following pests happen during March. They're
associated with the warming temperatures and renewed plant growth.
All Crops
Vole management
Weed management
Fertilizer program
Can put out monitoring traps for Spotted Wing Drosophila
Blueberries
Treat for Mummy Berry as needed. You can scout for sprouting Mummy Berries on the ground but they can
be very difficult to find. Base treatment decisions on plant stage, environmental conditions and the past
Mummy Berry history of the field and surrounding fields.
Scout for Pseudomonas (Bacterial Blight) Water-soaked lesions in some fields that then develop into
reddish brown to black cankers or dead buds.
Scout for Shock virus symptoms in southern area fields.
Plan for pre-bloom aphid control where scorch virus transmission is an issue.
Make preparations for bringing in bees around 10% bloom.
Winter Moth/ Bruce Span Worm: Scouting for winter moth larvae should start as soon as the buds start
swelling. More of an ongoing issue in the northern growing regions but also an occasional, locally severe
problem in some Oregon and SW Washington fields.
Scale: A dormant oil or Esteem (pyriproxyfen) can be used while blueberries are dormant.
Blackberries
Scout for Rose Stem Girdler ‘galls’ on floricanes.
Scout for Purple Blotch lesions in Marion berries to assess field disease levels for later treatments.
Can apply lime sulfur for Redberry Mites and/or disease management.
Can drench for crown borer management.
NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 06
Evergreen Blackberries
Can apply lime/sulfur for blackberry rust.
Raspberries
Burn back primocanes as needed.
(Northern areas) Scout for Clay Colored Weevil feeding and treat as needed.
Scout for mites.
Can still apply Ridomil for Phytophthora root rot management.
Can still drench for crown borer management.
Strawberries
Can apply phosphite material.
Watch for weak growing areas and check rots for weevil larvae, root rot and/or cold damage.
Columbia Star blackberry in the snow. Willamette Valley OR. April 10, 2022. Photo by Julie Pond.
NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 07
Small Fruit
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NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 08
Industry Calendar
APRIL 2022
13 Washington Red Raspberry Commission 1pm
LYNDEN, WA. FOR ZOOM IN OPTIONS, EMAIL HENRY BEIRLINK.
13 Washington Blueberry Commission Meeting
8:30 AM - 12 PM. WSU RESEARCH STATION IN MT. VERNON. VIEW AGENDA
13 Oregon Raspberry & Blackberry Commission Meeting
BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING - 9:00 AM . REGULAR MEETING 9:30 AM . ZOOM DETAILS HERE TO VIEW AGENDA, CLICK HERE
25 Oregon Blueberry Commission Meeting
OREGON BLUEBERRY COMMISSION MEETING. NOON, WINEMA EVENTS AT CHEMEKETA, SALEM. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT LISA OSTLUND.
25 Produce Safety on the Blueberry Farm - On Farm Event
REGISTER HERE
JUNE 2022
08 Strawberry Field Day
OSU-NWREC IN AURORA AT 1:00PM. AGENDA TBD.
29 Caneberry Field Day
OSU-NWREC IN AURORA AT 1:00PM. AGENDA TBD.
27-29 NABREW meeting hosted by the BC Blueberry Council
IN ABBOTSFORD, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT ERIC GERBRANDT AT
[email protected]JULY 2022
Washington Blueberry Commission Meeting.
06 ZOOM DETAILS TBA. FOR MORE INFORMATION EMAIL ALAN SCHREIBER.
20 Blueberry Field Day
OSU-NWREC IN AURORA AT 1:00PM. AGENDA TBD.
NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 09
Industry Calendar
SEPTEMBER 2022
Washington Red Raspberry Commission Meeting 1pm
07
LYNDEN, WA. FOR ZOOM IN OPTIONS, EMAIL HENRY BEIRLINK.
OCTOBER 2022
Washington Red Raspberry Commission Meeting 1pm
26
LYNDEN, WA. FOR ZOOM IN OPTIONS, EMAIL HENRY BEIRLINK.
Washington Blueberry Commission Meeting. Details TBA
26 ZOOM DETAILS TBA. FOR MORE INFORMATION EMAIL ALAN SCHREIBER.
NOVEMBER 2022
Washington Red Raspberry Commission Annual Meeting. Details TBA.
30
LYNDEN, WA. FOR ZOOM IN OPTIONS, EMAIL HENRY BEIRLINK.
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the northwest small fruit industry through education, research and information access. The SFU is made possible through the
generosity of our sponsors and readers like you. Donate today, and together we can help our berry growing community thrive.
Thank you for your support!
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NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 10
THE SMALL FRUIT UPDATE
WEEK 16 | APRIL 13, 2022
Abby Gearing,
This is the sole industry publication, SFU Designer & Editor
gathering grower and producer news, and [email protected]
regional field reports to unite, stabilize, and
strengthen the Northwest berry growing Elisa Ford,
NBF Co-Director
region (Canada and US).
[email protected]
Production is independent of government
Julie Pond,
and commercial control and made possible NBF Co-Director & Editor
by the following commission & councils.
[email protected]For more information or requests please Tom Peerbolt,
contact: Director At-Large, Chief Editor Emeritus
[email protected].
