SMALL FRUIT UPDATE | WEEK 29 |  

JULY 13, 2022

Cascade Premier raspberry. July, 2018. Photo by Tom Peerbolt.

WHAT'S INSIDE Julie Pond

NORTHWEST BERRY FOUNDATION
INDUSTRY RESOURCES

GROWER RESOURCES Many growers have just worked through certifying their farms for food safety
practices. It's an additional cost of having to do business. The cost of testing,
INDUSTRY NEWS creating procedures, and meeting other requirements year after year is daunting.
These are just some of the reasons some farms do not choose to certify their
PEST MANAGEMENT farms.

SFU SPONSORS There is a new program, released earlier this month, assists with the cost of
producing safety compliance. It’s explained well in the MSU Extension Agrifood
Safety article. The Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops Program. If you’re
defined as a small farm or very small farm, you can request reimbursement for
audits, testing, training, etc.

Something to think about, along with getting the crop in, irrigating, spraying, etc.

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NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 01
 Grower Resources

REGIONAL FIELD REPORTS

Oregon, Willamette Valley (7/15) From Julie Pond, Peerbolt Crop Management, Portland, OR
Blueberries: Draper harvest started today or will be starting next week. Calypso and Top Shelf are getting
closer. Second picks of Duke have just started in the south valley fields.

Caneberries: Main blackberry harvest is rolling in as are raspberries. Rust in dense growth raspberries is
spreading onto primocanes right now. Management applications continue.

Oregon Strawberries: Day Neutrals have decent picks coming off right now but the next fruit is either in bloom
stage or thimble fruit in many fields. The usual suspects for insects at this time of year minus mites. Not
seeing any mites.

Northern Washington, Whatcom & Skagit Counties (7/15) From Lisa Wasko Devetter, Small Fruit
Horticulturist, WSU NWREC, Mount Vernon:
All Washington Berries: Raspberry harvest has been gradually ramping up this week in northwestern
Washington. The fruit I am seeing is looking pretty good at this stage and let's hope that continues. Lots of
June-bearing strawberry tapering or wrapping up and 'Duke' blueberry harvest is also starting early next week in
northwest Washington. Blueberry picking has also commenced in eastern Washington with some fields on
their second picks.

As we find ourselves at the midpoint of July, we are starting to think ahead about leaf tissue testing. For
caneberry and blueberry, tissue testing between late July and early August is recommended. This is also a
good time to sample June-bearing strawberry. For day neutrals, sample leaves in July or August if planted in
May or June. If fall planted, collect day-neutral leaves the following year when the planting is fruiting. Guides in
the links found in the Crop Management section below have additional information for those preparing to do
their leaf tissue sampling.

Eastern WA Day Neutral Strawberry (7/15) From Cody Edwards, Yakima Berry Company:
Eastern Washington Strawberry: We are starting to see a lot of bloom and some green fruit starting to form.
I’m expecting our second flush to be coming on in early August. Other than that just sitting and waiting.

British Columbia, Fraser Valley (7/18) From Jason Smith, Grower

We have been experiencing cooler weather with some on and off showers the last few days. We are expected
to dry out for the rest of the week after Monday. Duke hand harvest is rolling in many areas with machine
harvest expected to start in the eastern valley later this week. Many growers have made an SWD application
and are continuing with aphid controls where needed. We will have a better idea on the crop as we really get
into the Duke harvest over the next couple weeks.

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 02
 PEST ALERT: SWD

Spotted Wing Drosophila larvae are being found in strawberry, raspberry, and blueberry. This is not a low
SWD population season. While this heat could have a knock down effect on populations, it’s important
to keep in mind what your market can bear with regards to SWD pressure. Be prepared to:

Monitor fruit often for SWD larvae using the fruit dunk method.
Understand that trapping for adult SWD while fruit is ripening isn’t as effective as trapping before
ripening due to competition with attractive fruit.

Consider appropriate management for your markets, refer to berry pesticide options and MRLs as
needed

Blackcap harvest. June 15, 2022. Photo by Julie Pond.

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 29 7/15/22
WEEK 29 7/16/21

BLUEBERRY PHOTOS UNAVAILABLE THIS WEEK

WEEK 29 7/24/20
WEEK 29 7/19/19

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

Brought to you by

PODCASTS OF THE INDUSTRY

The Business of Blueberries: A podcast from the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council hosted by
Kasey Cronquist and Rod Cook.
CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURE WITH CDFA SECRETARY KAREN ROSS

NEWSLETTERS OF THE INDUSTRY

GRADUATE RESEARCHER RECRUITING PERENNIAL FARMS SURVEY

Elizabeth Olson, an OSU graduate student, is conducting a research study to better understand the
experiences of perennial crop farmers in Oregon with regards to pest management and changes in
weather. Elizabeth will be conducting one-to-two hour interviews with participants throughout the
summer and fall. Participants will be compensated with $50 gift cards for their time. If you would like to
participate in this study, please fill out this survey or contact Elizabeth at olsone3@oregonstate.edu
with any questions.

The Blueberry Summit, and Nashville, Are Waiting for You!

Bird feeding on Spartans. July 15, 2022. Photo by Julie Pond

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 05
FEATURED LINKS
Whatcom County water talks stumble out of the gate (7/13, Capital Press)

OSU researchers develop computer model to predict which pesticides will harm bees (7/15, Capital Press)

Washington legislators seek end to frozen blueberry tariff (7/18, Fruit Growers News)

Situation critical for some growers with farm labor missing in action (7/18, Growing Produce)

PACIFIC NORTHWEST
Shaping a new farm bill: NAWG president Nicole Berg wants to keep farm families in business
READ MORE
(7/14, Capital Press)

FOOD SAFETY
Just wash it: tap water rinse is a healthy habit
READ MORE
(7/18, Fruit Growers News)

FEDERAL BILLS
Representatives, industry members implore Senate to pass ag labor bill
READ MORE
(7/13, Fruit Growers News)

US/CANADA
Recent Facts about certified organic fruits and vegetables in Canada, 2021
READ MORE
(7/15 Fresh Plaza)

Pest, disease controls keep Michigan blueberry growers busy

READ MORE
(7/14, Fruit Growers News)

Strong California strawberry volumes coming off peak

READ MORE
(7/18, Fresh Plaza)

Nationwide voluntary recall of Natierra organic freeze-dried blueberry

READ MORE
(7/18, Fresh Plaza)

Strong demand on bigger and better New Jersey blueberry season

READ MORE
(7/13, Fresh Plaza)

Planasa reports full year sales growth of 19% compared to last year
READ MORE
(7/14, Fresh Plaza)

WORLD
New charter service to transport fresh blueberries from Chile to US starts in 2022-23 season
READ MORE
(7/15, Fresh Plaza)

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 06
July Crop Management for Week 30

Pesticide and MRL Resources:

Washington Blueberry
Oregon Blueberry
Blueberry MRLs
Oregon Caneberry
Oregon Strawberry
Caneberry MRLs

View on NBF website

Nutrient Sampling and Management:

With June bearing strawberries finishing up for the season and other crops into harvest, prepare for soil and/or
leaf sampling to be completed. From Lisa Wasco DeVetter, WSU: “As we find ourselves at the midpoint of July,
we are starting to think ahead about leaf tissue testing. For caneberry and blueberry, tissue testing between late
July and early August is recommended. This is also a good time to sample June-bearing strawberry. For day
neutrals, sample leaves in July or August if planted in May or June. If fall planted, collect day-neutral leaves the
following year when the planting is fruiting.”

Guides for those preparing to do their leaf tissue sampling.

Caneberry Nutrient Management Guide (page 2): READ MORE

Nutrient Management for Blueberries (starting on page 3): READ MORE

Strawberry Nutrient Management Guide for Oregon and Washington (starting on page 10): READ MORE

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 07
All Crops
Early green/coloring fruit management
Monitor for Spotted Wing Drosophila

Blueberries

Monitor fruit for rot symptoms: Green Berry Botrytis and Anthracnose favor cool, wet weather patterns.
Scout for leafroller larvae feeding.
Scout for Scorch and Shock virus symptoms
Scout for Mummy Berry blueberries for future season management. No management is effective for the
remainder of this season.
Continue for aphid control where scorch virus transmission is an issue.
Blueberry Gall Midge Tip damage from this midge is due to begin showing up in southern blueberries.
Damage is usually deemed to not be economic except in specific situations like new vigorous fields where
gall midge can occasionally cause too much stunting of new growth.
Azalea Bark Scale. This scale's telltale bright white egg sacs on the lower branches of infested plants might
be showing up in southern blueberry fields.

Blackberries
Scout for Rose Stem Girdler ‘galls’ on floricanes.
Remove any plants with Orange Rust on primocanes and/or floricanes.
Scout for Purple Blotch lesions in Marion berries to assess field disease levels for later treatments.
Scout for Botrytis on blossoms/ fruit.
Monitor for Red Berry Mite and apply preventative horticulture oils on green fruit for late season blackberry
varieties.

Raspberries
(Northern areas) Scout for Clay Colored Weevil feeding and treat as needed.
Scout for mites: Two Spotted mites
Monitor leaves for Yellow Rust. Uredinia stage is the main management stage.
Scout for Botrytis on fruit.
Scout for leafroller larvae feeding.

Strawberries
Soil sample post harvest June bearers.
Monitor for weevil on larvae.
Monitor for Strawberry Crown Moth flight.
Day Neutral: Scout fruit symptoms of Powdery Mildew.
Day Neutral: Monitor bloom/plants for Lygus Bug and monkey faced berries.
Day Neutral: Thrips monitoring on bloom.
Day Neutral: Two-spotted Spider mite monitoring.

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 08
 Small Fruit
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NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 09
Industry Calendar

JULY 2022

20 Blueberry Field Day

OSU-NWREC IN AURORA AT 1:00PM. VIEW AGENDA

Washington Blueberry Commission Third Board Meeting

21 FOR AGENDA AND ZOOM LINK CLICK HERE

Oregon Strawberry Commission Price Setting Meeting

26 ZOOM. DETAILS TBA

27 Washington Blueberry Machine Harvesting field day

NOTE FROM LISA

DEVETTER.

AUGUST 2022

16-17 NASGA Summer Tour

2022 SUMMER TOUR IN ONTARIO CANADA! REGISTER HERE

SEPTEMBER 2022

07 Washington Red Raspberry Commission Meeting 1pm

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

OCTOBER 2022

5-7 The Blueberry Summit

REGISTER HERE

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
NCSFR Conference
14-16
TRI-CITIES, WA. DETAILS TBA.

Washington Red Raspberry Commission Annual Meeting. Details TBA.

30
LYNDEN, WA. FOR ZOOM IN OPTIONS, EMAIL HENRY BEIRLINK.

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 10
 THE SMALL FRUIT UPDATE
WEEK 30 | JULY 20, 2022

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

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.