SMALL FRUIT UPDATE | WEEK 13 |
MARCH 23, 2022
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NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG
 
Patriot Buds. March 18 2022. Photo by Abby C Gearing
Julie Pond
NORTHWEST BERRY FOUNDATION
This is the current status of the Oregon Disaster Assistance Program which
includes heat dome damage. Knowing berry growers, particularly caneberry
growers, were heavily impacted by the June 2021 heatwave, this relief
program was part of an extensive effort coordinated by several individuals
working together as part of the Oregon Raspberry and Blackberry
Commission (ORBC). This is one very good reason a commission exists;
serving as a larger, collective voice. All the grower input and timely efforts
had a direct impact on this program. I know many growers are caught in
difficult financial situations because of this disaster plus the additional input
costs now.
Here is a link that pertains to disaster relief from 2021 (non-COVID related).
See below for a message from Rachel Suits, Disaster Relief Outreach
Coordinator with Oregon State University Extension Center for Small Farms
and Community Food Systems.
Here is an update from the ORBC administration about the application steps
and general timeline which has similar information but geared to caneberry
growers specifically.
We must do what we can.
PAGE 01
Grower Resources

REGIONAL FIELD REPORTS

British Columbia, Fraser Valley (3/20) From Chuck Mouritzen, Southwest Crop Consulting, Chilliwack, BC
Raspberries: continue to develop with little sign of any winter damage so far. Good bud emergence and
development along length off canes on all varieties. I do notice though, a smaller cane caliper and lower
new flloricane number in some fields. This may be a result of the heat dome and prolonged dry weather last
summer.

Blueberries: I know there is heat impact on some blueberry fields as well, where water supply was just not
adequate. These plants were noticeably stressed late last summer and are lacking good new cane
development and poor fruit bud formation. But in general, blueberry fields here appear to have a decent
potential crop.

Oregon, Willamette Valley (3/21) From Julie Pond, Peerbolt Crop Management, Portland, OR
Blueberries: Plant movement down here is coming along nicely. Some skipped floral buds in many
blueberry varieties, some more than others. A side effect of the heat dome perhaps? Leaves are still at a
critical mummyberry infection stage. I noticed early pink bud stage appearing in the indicator Patriot
variety.

Black Raspberry: Black raspberries are just starting to pop but it's still scattered/inconsistent at this point
though it's still pretty early. The 2021 fruit is still clinging to old primocanes! It's like seeing a heated
moment in time you don't want to relive!

Strawberries: Strawberries are expanding leaves but no noticeable trusses in crowns yet.

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 02
 Pest Management, Week 12

Blueberry Disease Alert: Mummy Berry

Throughout the Northwest, we are approaching the time when blueberry fields become vulnerable to infections.
Be ready with a management program by the time at-risk fields reach the ‘green tip stage’. That’s when new
infections can begin.

What is the "green tip stage"? Click here for a chart from Michigan State of the various stages of blueberry
growth development.
Mummy berry fungus details from the PNW Pest Management Handbook

Critical Points:
The optimum temperature for spore release and infection is 50°F to 57°F (10°C to 14°C).
Typically when temperatures are over 45°F, that's when we enter the risk zone.
At least 12 hours of wetness is required for infection.

Mummy Berry stipes: This stage indicates the

apothecia will emerge if conditions are favorable. Mummy Berry apothecia- ‘Mushroom’ stage when
3/2/15 by Tom Peerbolt spores are being released & can infect plant tissue

HORTICULTURAL CROPS ENTOMOLOGIST CANDIDATES SEMINAR

March 22 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Recurring Event (See all)

Four Horticultural Crops Entomologist candidates will be visiting the WSU Mount Vernon NWREC on
March 22nd, 24th, 29th, and 31st. This will be an important position to serve the needs of the
agricultural community in northwestern WA, and stakeholder input is extremely valuable for the
selection process. In addition, strong stakeholder support can be a critical factor in competitive
candidates deciding whether to accept an offer, and therefore, in our ability to recruit the best
candidates.

Each candidate will give an Extension talk from 1 – 2 pm in the Sakuma Auditorium at the WSU
Mount Vernon NWREC on the date they are visiting. Zoom option here. More information here.

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 03
 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 12 3/18/22
WEEK 12 3/13/21
WEEK 12 3/27/20
WEEK 12 3/21/19

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

Blueberry Pollination Survey

The survey is part of a USDA NIFA-funded project to improve blueberry pollination. Though this
survey, we are trying to get a better picture of pollination practices. Whether a grower has 1 or
1000 acres, having their input is important. Furthermore, respondents from each state will be
entered in a raffle to win a $50 gift certificate.

COMPLETE SURVEY

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 proposals@bcberries.ca.
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.
AFTER THE PICK: THE 2021 SEASON IN OREGON WITH NOEL SAKUMA

NEWSLETTERS OF THE INDUSTRY

Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Courses!

U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council Seeks Nominees For State Member Positions

U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council Seeks Nominees for Importer 2, 3, 4 and Exporter 2, 3, 4 Positions

Produce Safety Inspections Resume in 2022

Train the Trainer Food Safety Practices Workshops

Whatcom Ag Monthly March 2022 External

Oregon IPM Center: IPM News for March 2022

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 05
FEATURED LINKS
Bumblebees are under threat. Here’s why we need to protect them (3/18, GLP)

Driscoll’s, Plenty are planning a vertical, indoor strawberry farm in the U.S. Northeast (3/17, Food Manufacturing)

Inflation remained the big story for fresh produce in February (3/18 , Fruit Grower News)

California strawberry industry still going strong (3/17, Food Manufacturing)

What’s in the $1.5 trillion omnibus spending package for agriculture? (3/18, Capital Press)

Pulling up stakes: Why some farmers are leaving the West coast (3/17, Capital Press)

COMMISSIONS/COUNCILS
Highbush Blueberry Council —help needed READ MORE
(3/17, Good Fruit Grower)

LABOR
A week to celebrate farmworkers READ MORE
(/`8, The Packers)

MARKETING
ProduceIQ: Markets soar with March Madness READ MORE
(3/21, Produce Blue Book)

POLLINATORS
(Video plus story) Using Mason bees to enhance pollination READ MORE
(3/17, Good Fruit Grower)

Why pollinator protection is critical the future of produce READ MORE

(3/22, /The Packer)

Bumblebees are under threat. Here’s why we need to protect them READ MORE
(3/18, GLP)

CLIMATE/WEATHER
La Nina hangs on, expected to stick through summer READ MORE
(3/12, Capital Press)

California prepares for third dry year after few winter storms READ MORE
(3/18, Capital Press)

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 06
CHINA
“Blueberries are the next big hit after cherries” READ MORE
(3/22, Fresh Plaza)

NORTH AMERICA
Florida blueberries in charts: Blueberry season in full swing READ MORE
(3/15, Fresh Fruit Portal)

Report: U.S. strawberry demand moving in positive direction READ MORE

(3/21, Fruit Grower News)

SOUTH AMERICA
Blueberry exports from Peru grew more than 16-fold in volume in seven years READ MORE
(3/21, Fresh Plaza)

COMPANIES
Sekoya (Fall Creek Nursery) to showcase new blueberry varieties at special event READ MORE
(3/2, Fresh Fruit Portal)

RESOURCES FOR GROWERS

Cornell Fruit resource: Berries READ MORE

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 07
 Crop Management, Week 12

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.

March Pest Management

LATE WINTER/EARLY SPRING WEATHER RISKS

Pictorial blueberry growth stages with temperature damage thresholds:

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)”.

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 08
INSECTS AND MITES
Raspberry Crown Borer: If you've had borer problems in the past, March is the time to drench for
crown borer management in caneberries.

Strawberry Crown Moth: In Oregon and Southwest Washington, this borer looks to do as much, if not
more, damage in caneberries as the Raspberry Crown Borer. The treatment is the same as for RCB- a
spring (or fall) insecticide drench.
Clay Colored Weevils: This early emerging species is usually just considered a pest of raspberries in
northern growing areas where it feeds on newly emerging shoots and buds. But in the last few years,
emerging adult Clay Colored Weevils have been recovered from SW Washington southern strawberry
fields and blueberry fields.

Redberry Mite: (evergreen blackberries): Dormant sprays of lime/sulfur or elemental sulfur for
Blackberry Rust and Redberry Mite are recommended in March.

DISEASES
Phytophthora Root Rot: (raspberries): March is the time to use a fungicide drench in raspberries.
Warm, saturated soils are the conditions that favor this organism, allowing it to spread quickly.

Blackberry Rust: (Phragmidium Rust) (Evergreen blackberries): Dormant spray of lime/sulfur or

elemental sulfur for Blackberry Rust and Redberry Mites is recommended in March to prevent later
problems.

Cane Blight: (raspberries): A good time to spot symptoms of cane blight is as the buds break. Infected
canes will show either no bud break if the cane has been girdled or one-sided bud break if the infection
is on one side. Scrape canes to look for rust colored streaks usually coming up from machine
harvester scars. There is no treatment for cane blight once it’s present, only prevention. The time to
prevent next year's canes from getting infected is to apply an appropriate fungicide immediately after
harvest when fresh wounds normally become infected.

Purple Blotch: (blackberries): Check for cane lesions that are easy to see as the weather warms but
the foliage has not yet emerged. It’s a good time to assess disease level.

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 09
 Small Fruit
Advertising

All ads run on our publication and website 1 week/ prime season
(March-September), 2 weeks/ off season (October through February).

Learn More

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If you are interested in advertising or have additional

questions, please email info@nwberries.org.

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 10
 Industry Calendar

MARCH 2022
Farm to Table: Pre- and Post-Harvest Management for Quality Blueberry
29
REGISTER HERE

2022 Oregon Blueberry Korea export meeting

29
9 AM VIA ZOOM. YOU CAN FIND ALL PROGRAM INFORMATION AT: WWW.OREGONBLUEBERRY.COM/KOREA

31 Lower Mainland Horticultural Growers Short Course

HYBRID EVENT. REGISTER HERE

APRIL 2022
1-2 Lower Mainland Horticultural Growers Short Course
HYBRID EVENT. REGISTER HERE

13 Washington Red Raspberry Commission 1pm

LYNDEN, WA. FOR ZOOM IN OPTIONS, EMAIL HENRY BEIRLINK.

13 Washington Blueberry Commission Meeting

MT. VERNON, WA. EMAIL ALAN SCHREIBER FOR MORE INFORMATION.

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
RESEARCH@BCBERRIES.CA

The Small Fruit Update is published by the Northwest Berry Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit. Our mission is to support
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!

DONATE NOW

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 11
 Industry Calendar

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.

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.

The Small Fruit Update is published by the Northwest Berry Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit. Our mission is to support
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!

DONATE NOW

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 12
 THE SMALL FRUIT UPDATE
WEEK 13 | MARCH 23, 2022

Abby Gearing,
This is the sole industry publication, SFU Designer & Editor
gathering grower and producer news, and abby@nwberries.org
regional field reports to unite, stabilize, and
strengthen the Northwest berry growing Elisa Ford,
NBF Co-Director
region (Canada and US).
elisa@nwberries.org

Production is independent of government

Julie Pond,
and commercial control and made possible NBF Co-Director & Editor
by the following commission & councils. julie@peerbolt.com

For more information or requests please Tom Peerbolt,

contact: Director At-Large, Chief Editor Emeritus
tom@peerbolt.com.