SMALL FRUIT UPDATE | WEEK 26 |  

JUNE 22, 2022

Columbia Star Blackberry. June 21, 2022. Willamette Valley, OR. Photo by Julie Pond.

WHAT'S INSIDE
INDUSTRY RESOURCES
Julie Pond
NORTHWEST BERRY FOUNDATION

GROWER RESOURCES

INDUSTRY NEWS
Like the weather, insect populations have been strange this year. Lygus bugs
have been found in beneficial habitats and strawberry fields as early as April
PEST MANAGEMENT and moth life cycles are delayed. I’ve been dragging my feet on an SWD
update because normally we’d know what to expect by now, based on trap
SFU SPONSORS trends.

However this is the first season that, while we should have a better pulse on
population dynamics, we don't. So I’m going to blame it on the weather
again. Considering ideal temperatures for development is in the 70s, the cool
conditions thus far may be why SWD is only sporadically active. When there
are a few days of ideal weather, like clockwork you can see trap catches
increase, but then drop back down during cool weeks.

Perhaps there is an aggregating effect during increased warmth. Pressure

Subscribe Here will be building and I do think they have overwintered well based on the
sporadic jump in catches during warm-ish weeks. Consistent, warmer
Small Fruit Update is
produced once a week
weather slotted for later this week will definitely bring all the flies out.
during the growing
season and bimonthly
outside the growing
season (Oct - Feb)

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 01
 Grower Resources

REGIONAL FIELD REPORTS

Oregon, Willamette Valley (6/17) From Julie Pond, Peerbolt Crop Management, Portland, OR
Strawberries: A grower I talked to made a comment that hopefully rings true with strawberry harvest. He
mentioned that "old timers" would say if the fields are wet and half the fruit is moldy that's when you get the
best yields. The bulk of Tillamook and Totem are just starting, or are planned for a Monday start. The fruit just
wasn't ripening up so processed harvests were delayed. NW WA Tillamook start is slated for June 25th which
is only 10 days late compared to last year.

Raspberries: Raspberry growers are starting to wonder if there will be the usual fruit showing up after
strawberries finish. They are used to rolling right into raspberry harvest but just aren't seeing the development
to back that up this year. Even the earliest varieties don’t have much for color.

Blueberries: Blueberry fields are looking a bit stressed like they usually do at this time of year, but it's not from
lack of water and high temperatures. Between the mystery dieback, cool soil and weather, I think they are
struggling to keep up to plant nutrient needs because uptake is lacking. However, they are still sizing with a
slight blush showing up in a few early varieties but nothing to really write home about. In fact, all varieties look
like they are in the same stage of green fruit development. It’s so hard to tell the difference when looking at
unlabelled fruiting branches side by side.

British Columbia, Fraser Valley (6/20) From Chuck Mouritzen, Southwest Crop Consulting, Chilliwack, BC
Blueberries: We're sufficiently past bloom now to get a better look at what we've got for a blueberry crop now.
And after a weird cool ('er cold), wet spring with multiple frosts in April, variable success with pollination and
our ongoing problems with the impact of scorch virus, I'd have to say this crop will be a lot lighter than the early
spring potential appeared. I'm not sure there are many growers happy with what they are looking at. Throw in
some pretty terrible field conditions and big input cost increases and its just not pleasant times. We are looking
at some weather changes heading into the weekend and it looks like some 30C+ (85 F+) weather for 3 days or
so. We could use a change to some drying conditions. Hopefully the shock of a significant temperature change
doesn't negatively affect us. And it won't if it's a short period of time.

Raspberries: don't look too bad and I think the crop should be better than last season. But it's going to be late. I
figure July 10-12 before serious harvest starts. It may even be more concentrated and shorter in duration. This
upcoming mini heat pulse could bring out the root rot afflicted field sections into higher visibility. So far insect
pressure is still staying low. But I do see more aphid activity building.

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 02
Eastern WA (6/21) Cody Edwards, Yakima Berry Company:
Strawberries: The initial flush is picked through and we are seeing very little bloom. I anticipate a pretty big lull
for the next three weeks or so. Fruit size is also diminishing compared to our previous picks.

Western Oregon, Willamette Valley From Darren Sinn, Blackberry grower, Silverton, OR
Blackberries: Blackberries are looking good. Some variation in Black Diamond, but everything else looks pretty
good. Early season varieties (Metolius, Obsidian) are just starting to show color and will likely start around
June 28-July 1st. Marions should start around July 8th-10th.

Blueberries: Willamette valley Duke crop looks light. The pollination window was poor and the fruit set reflects
that. A lot of green fruit botrytis showing in Duke fields. Shock also seems worse than other years. Draper and
Calypso look better.

Unknown 2022 Dieback in Ocklockanee. June 15, 2022. Willamette Valley, OR. 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 25 6/17/2022
WEEK 25 6/18/2021
WEEK 25 6/26/20
WEEK 25 6/21/19

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

Brought to you by OVS

PODCASTS OF THE INDUSTRY

The Business of Blueberries: A podcast from the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council hosted by Kasey
Cronquist and Rod Cook.
COUNTRY SPOTLIGHT: MEXICO

PolliNation: A podcast from Oregon State University Extension Service hosted by Dr. Andony
Melathopoulos.
215 - MAHOOD - DRONE CONGREGATION AREAS

NEWSLETTERS OF THE INDUSTRY

Behind The Blue: Get Involved With National Blueberry Month, May Nielsen Report Available, Behind the Blueberry
Experience

Welcome Horticulture's Endowed Professorship for NW Berry Production and Management

Fruit & Nut Production - MSU Extension News

FEATURED LINKS
It’s strawberry season, but where are all the berries in western Washington? (6/17, King5)

Mexico to prohibit subcontracting of avocado, berry pickers (6/20, Reuters)

Supreme court won’t review lawsuit over pesticide cancer risk labeling (6/21, Capital Press)

Climatologists see warmer days ahead, but not right away (6/17, Capital Press)

Canada: Alasko brand IQF whole raspberries recalled due to norovirus (6/17, Recalls Canada)

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 05
FERTILITY AND WATER
Stricter groundwater regulations contemplated for Oregon
READ MORE
(6/17, Capital Press)

Washington Ecology revises rules for biosolids

READ MORE
(6/16, Capital Press)

Water Ways to deliver a C$200,000 blueberries smart irrigation project in Ethiopia

READ MORE
(6/21, Fresh Plaza)

LOGISTICS
Sports and shipping interests collide over planned waterfront ballpark in Oakland
READ MORE
(6/21, Capital Press)

WEATHER
AgWeather or not? READ MORE
(6/14, Good Fruit Grower)

Oregon drought persists, though recent rainfall reduces severity

READ MORE
(6/16, Capital Press)

POLLINATION
Flower shape might be a big player when it comes to pollination health
READ MORE
(6/21, Growing Produce)

BREEDING
Primavera, Victory and Inspire are a safe bet for strawberry growers in the Mediterranean
READ MORE
(6/21, Fresh Plaza)

WORLD MARKET
Moldova: Wholesale raspberry prices lower than expected READ MORE
(6/20, Fresh Plaza)

Georgia: Rain damaged orchards and delays blueberry harvesting READ MORE
(6/20, Fresh Plaza)

Uzbek raspberry prices down by almost 40% since start of harvest season READ MORE
(6/20, Fresh Plaza)

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 06
 June Crop Management for Week 26

Nutrient Management
The final application of the three split applications can happen 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"

All Crops
Vole management
Bloom/early green fruit management
Fertilizer program
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
Northern region fields: Treat for Mummy Berry while bloom is still present. No treatments are helpful post
bloom.
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.
Scout for Clay Colored Weevils - This early emerging species is a pest in northern growing areas where it
feeds on newly emerging shoots and buds.

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.

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 07
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 blossoms.
Scout for leafroller larvae feeding.

Strawberries
Watch for weak growing areas and check rots for weevil larvae

Watch for weak growing areas and check rots for weevil larvae.
Scout for curled leaves which is a symptom of Powdery Mildew.
Monitor for Strawberry Crown Moth flight.
Monitor bloom/plants for Lygus Bug and monkey faced berries.

Hood second pick. June 15, 2022. Willamette Valley, OR. Photo by Julie Pond.

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 08
 Small Fruit
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Industry Calendar

JUNE 2022

29 Caneberry Field Day

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

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

JULY 2022
Washington Blueberry Commission Meeting.
06 ZOOM DETAILS TBA. FOR MORE INFORMATION EMAIL ALAN SCHREIBER.

12 Raspberry Field Day

HONCOOP FARM 9696 NORTHWOOD RD, LYNDEN, WA 1:00 - 3:00 PM

20 Blueberry Field Day

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

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
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 26 | JUNE 21, 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.