SMA L L FRUI T UP D A T E | W EEK 3 5 | AU G U S T 24 , 20 2 2

Blackaps. July, 2022. Photo by Abby C Gearing

WHAT'S INSIDE Julie Pond

N OR T H WE ST BER RY FO UN DA TIO N
INDUSTRY RESOURCES

GROWER RESOURCES A grower recently left me with a final line in a quick email: “What a crazy
season.”
INDUSTRY NEWS

Agreed. It raised a100 questions, but now isn't the time to ask. I’m still itching
PEST MANAGEMENT to know. Every season was different, but this one threw me for a loop, which
means growers are likely feeling the same. Everyone is used to unpredictability,
SFU SPONSORS
but I feel like even the insect life cycles were unpredictable this year, not to
mention labor, markets, and, of course, the weather. Related to last week’s
commentary about making informed fertility applications: To those
consultants and others interested in interpreting soil nutrient tests and better
understanding nutrient usage in the soil, there is a course that is offered by
OSU extension that might be of interest.

Burnout is real, folks. Please be kind to yourselves.

Subscribe Here

Small Fruit Update is

produced once a week
during the growing
season and bimonthly NUTRIENT USAGE IN SOIL COURSE BY OSU
outside the growing
season (Oct - Feb)

View Course

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 01
 Grower Resources

REGIONAL FIELD REPORTS

Oregon, Willamette Valley (8/19) From Julie Pond, Peerbolt Crop Management, Portland, OR
Caneberries: Post harvest as well as in field fruit rot has been the main concern right now. Much more so with
caneberries but blueberries have had a few extra fungicide applications happen also. It didn't help having the
high humidity over the last week.

Blueberries: The official shift into late season fruit happened this last week. Last Call and Aurora dominate the
fresh picks and I see some southern highbush coming into play soon. Machine harvesting for the rest.

Day Neutral Strawberries: There is great potential in the next couple weeks with the good bloom flush
happening now. Mites are trying to get some footing for the first time this whole season.

British Columbia, Fraser Valley (8/23) From Jason Smith, Grower

Blueberries: Harvest has started in Calypso. The majority of the Duke harvest is over with reka winding down
as well. Bluecrop continues to be harvested. I expect some Elliot will begin getting harvested within the next
week or so. The weather has been quite jot and humid and will remain that way until at least Friday. I haven't
heard a lot about SWD being an issue lately.

Eastern WA Day Neutral strawberry update from Cody Edwards (8/23), Yakima Berry Company:
Strawberries: A little late to reply but our Albion and other day neutrals are still booming with big yields and
more bloom coming. Fruit is on the smaller side as we have consistently been over 95 plus each day. I suspect
they are not getting enough time to mature causing the small size. Fresh market demand has taken a nose dive
with all of the other commodities on the market right now. Insect pressure has been very minimal after a very
high presence for most of the year.

Starlings waiting to swoop in. August 11, 2022. Photo by Julie Pond.

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 02
 PEST ALERT: SWD

Spotted Wing Drosophila larvae are being found in blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries. This is a
high SWD population season. The heat didn’t have a great knock down effect on populations as we’d
hoped so 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.

Liberty branching after Unknown Dieback. August 11, 2022. Photo by Julie Pond.

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 03
 Nutrient Management
Acknowledgements: Almost all information comes from Bernadine Strik (OSU) and Lisa DeVetter (WSU). A
good reminder from Lisa Wasco DeVetter, WSU: “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.
Soil Testing
All crops: Pre-planting soil testing is critical.
Adjusting soil pH & incorporating nutrients (like
potassium and phosphorus) that don’t move readily
from surface applications should happen before
planting.
Strawberries: For annual/short term crops like
strawberries, soil testing is usually the only method
used for adjusting nutrient programs. After renovation
is recommended for multi-year plantings.
Soil testing to diagnose problems: Most useful when
combined with in-field observations, results of annual
leaf tissue sampling, and a history of a fertility
program and other soil/tissue tests.
Seasonal timing: Fall or spring is common, but it’s
very important to be consistent! There can be big
differences if you test in the spring in one year and
fall in the another. Don’t test in spring after any
fertilization. •
Location of sampling: Between the dripline and base
of the plants & enough to be representative of the
entire field. Move any mulch aside before collecting a
soil sample.
For a concise explanation of the how to take and how
to interpret soil and tissue sampling, use this six page
guide: Nutrient Management of Berry Crops in Oregon
(2013)
Nutrition Resources for Berry Growers
Strawberry Nutrient Management Guide Oregon
and Washington (May, 2019/Oregon State
University)
Nutrient Management for Blueberries in Oregon
(Published: Nov. 2006; Reviewed: June,
2016/Oregon State University)
Caneberries Nutrient Management Guide
(Published: Jan. 2006; Reviewed: July,
2016/Oregon State University)
NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG
RECOMMENDED TIMING & FREQUENCY OF TESTING
Soil Sampling
Always before planting.
For analyzing problem situations.
Only every few years for maintenance checks. Not
needed every year.
Tissue Sampling
Every year at the same time –for blueberries and
floricane raspberries and blackberries this is the last
week in July through the first week in August.
For analyzing problem situations—take samples from
both healthy and unhealthy areas of the field for
comparing.
RECOMMENDED PROTOCOLS/ COMMENTS FOR TISSUE
TESTING
Blueberries-- Collect the most recent, fully-expanded
leaf with the petiole attached (leaf stem) only from
shoots below where fruit is/was located.
Raspberries & Blackberries-- Collect the most recent,
fully-expanded leaf with the petiole attached (leaf
stem) only from the primocanes-- about 12 inches
from the tip.
Cultivars should be sampled separately, as should
any problem areas in the field.
If they are covered with dust, rinse them briefly and
let them air dry; otherwise do not wash.
All blueberry and floricane fruiting caneberry
cultivars, regardless of ripening time, should be
sampled in the late-July to early-August window.
Leaf nutrient concentrations naturally change
throughout the season (from spring to autumn) so
these published standards are NOT applicable if you
sample tissue outside the late July-early August
sampling time.
Other Considerations
It’s best to pair results of tissue tests with in-field
observations when deciding on whether or not to
modify a nutrient management program.
PAGE 04
Industry News

Brought to you by
Our Team is here to guide you through your every need from crop and planting to soil
balance or harvest and winterization

PODCASTS OF THE INDUSTRY

The Business of Blueberries: A podcast from the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council hosted by
Kasey Cronquist and Rod Cook.
AUDIENCE FEEDBACK AND EXTENDED CROP REPORT

PolliNation: A podcast from Oregon State University Extension Service hosted by Dr. Andony
Melathopoulos.
219 - LABUSCHAGNE - LIVING THROUGH A VARROAPOCOLYPSE

NEWSLETTERS OF THE INDUSTRY

Oregon IPM Center: IPM News for August 2022

VacCAP Newsletter Issue 5

The Hottest Topics, and Speakers, Are at The Blueberry Summit!

FEATURED LINKS
Here's why Oregonians are so proud of their blackberries (NPR 8/15)

New Gene Discovery Protects Strawberry Crops from Fusarium Wilt (Growing Produce 8/17)

Record-breaking blueberry harvest expected in Washington (FreshPlaza 8/19)

Movement of blueberries through Oregon and Washington is expected about the same (FreshPlaza 8/22)

BC Genomic Gumshoes Aim to Solve Blueberry Mystery (Newswire.ca 8/22)

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 05
 BERRY RESEARCH
California awards grants promoting IPM systems
READ MORE
(Fruit Growers News 8/15)

UF receives proof that Blueberry Advisory System minimizes fruit rot

READ MORE
(Fruit Growers News 8/18)

SWD-killing wasps released in Michigan to protect fruit

READ MORE
(Fruit Grower News 8/19)

Look to California for day neutral strawberries for repeat blooming in East
READ MORE
(Fruit Growers News 8/22)

NORTH AMERICA
Why the Girl Scouts' new cookie is all about the raspberries
READ MORE
(Marketwatch 8/17)
Berry grower-shipper raises over $22,000 for community non-profits
READ MORE
(FreshPlaza 8/19)

Significant increases in price for fruit included strawberries, blueberries

READ MORE
(FreshPlaza 8/22)

INTERNATIONAL
U.S. blueberries' season debut in China features new 'Peachy Blue Variety’
READ MORE
(FreshPlaza 8/17)
"Fruit Attraction 2022 is going to be a great fair”
READ MORE
(FreshPlaza 8/17)

Price of fruit has been soaring in Brazil

READ MORE
(FreshPlaza 8/17)

400 hectares of strawberry production in the Mexican state of Guanajuato have been affected by the rains
READ MORE
(FreshPlaza 8/17)

Steady shipments of Sekoya blueberries from Peru underway

READ MORE
(FreshPlaza 8/19)
“The consumption of blueberries in the world is up to us to take care of”
READ MORE
(FreshPlaza 8/19)

Volume of Peruvian blueberries larger than last year

READ MORE
(FreshPlaza 8/22)

This season's first Peruvian OZblu blueberries arrive in China

READ MORE
(FreshPlaza 8/22)

Strawberries, other produce left to rot in UK fields while cost of living skyrockets
READ MORE
(FreshPlaza 8/22)

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 06
US-Mexico agri-food trade up 16% in the last year
READ MORE
(FreshPlaza 8/22)

La Libertad region exported 574 million dollars in agri products in H1 2022

READ MORE
(FreshPlaza 8/22)

Sweet blackberry varieties gain popularity amongst UK consumers

READ MORE
(Fresh Fruit Portal 8/22)

The season of remontant raspberries in Moldova ends with high prices

READ MORE
(EastFruit 8/22)

Severe drought in Europe still expanding and worsening

READ MORE
(Fresh Plaza 8/22)

TECHNOLOGY
Harvest glove improves picking performance of blueberry
READ MORE
(Freshplaza 8/15)

Can strawberry-picking robots save California’s growers?

READ MORE
(LA Times 8/15)

Why Anthracnose Fruit Rot Can’t Hide From this Ag Tech Tool
READ MORE
(Growing Produce 8/19)

‘Liberate the tractors’: the right to repair movement that’s regaining control of our devices
READ MORE
(The Conversation 8/22)

August Crop Management for Week 35

Acknowledgements: Almost all information comes from Bernadine Strik (OSU) and Lisa DeVetter (WSU). A
good reminder from Lisa Wasco DeVetter, WSU: “For caneberry and blueberry, tissue testing between late
Julyand early August is recommended. This is also a good time to sample June-bearing strawberry. For
dayneutrals, sample leaves in July or August if planted in May or June. If fall planted, collect day-neutral leaves
thefollowing year when the planting is fruiting.

Pesticide and MRL Resources:

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

View on NBF website

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 07
All Crops

Monitor for Spotted Wing Drosophila

Follow Heat Stress Rules in your region. Here is an example of worker heat rules that just took affect a few
months ago in Oregon.

Blueberries

Monitor 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.
Azalea Bark Scale. This scale's telltale bright white egg sacs on the lower branches of infested plants
should be close to spreading now.
Leaf and soil nutrient sampling.

Blackberries

Scout for Rose Stem Girdler ‘galls’ on primocanes.

Monitor for fruit rots.
Monitor for Red Berry Mite and apply preventative horticulture oils on green fruit for late season blackberry
varieties.

Raspberries

Scout for mites: Two Spotted mites

Nutrient sample near post harvest.

Strawberries

Soil sample post harvest June bearers.

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

SEPTEMBER 2022

07 Washington Red Raspberry Commission Meeting 1pm

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

26 Oregon Blueberry Commission: Noon with Research Committee Meeting

11:00 AM. DETAILS TBA. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT LISA OSTLUND

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. HOTEL BLOCK INFORMATION HERE

WA Small Fruit Conference

29-30
8 AM – 5 PM. NORTHWEST WASHINGTON FAIRGROUND1775 FRONT ST, LYNDEN, WA 98264. REGISTER HERE

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 35 | AUGUST 24, 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: info@nwberries.org Director At-Large, Chief Editor Emeritus
tom@peerbolt.com.