SM A L L FR UI T U P D A TE | W EEK 2 5 |  

J UN E 15 , 2 0 22

Blackcaps in the Willamette Valley. June 9, 2022. Photo by Jason Myer

WHAT'S INSIDE Julie Pond

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

GROWER RESOURCES
Hello Junuary...

INDUSTRY NEWS Nothing like starting strawberry harvest with dirty, slug infested, and now
split berries. Someone turn the rain off, please! One good note is labor has
PEST MANAGEMENT been available and there has been no need for irrigation unless you’re
fertigating. These plants are extremely lush!
SFU SPONSORS

To add insult to injury we are unpacking several unexplained issues showing

up in plants this season. Random overflowering/overfruiting in specific
varieties of strawberries as well as dieback in blueberry to name a couple.
You’ve been following bits and pieces of blueberry dieback symptoms
showing up across random fields in BC, WA and OR over the last few weeks.
This is becoming quite the issue to unravel. Several research brains across
the region are coming together to narrow down what attributed to this
region-wide dieback and what can be done moving forward. Collaboration is
a wonderful thing!
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In the meantime, see collaboration at work by listening to the virtual

Small Fruit Update is
produced once a week
sessions from the May 31st BC Agricultural Climate Adaptation Research
during the growing Network berry presentations discussing the flooding, heat damage, and how
season and bimonthly climate extremes impact pollination and pests.
outside the growing
season (Oct - Feb)

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 01
 Grower Resources

REGIONAL FIELD REPORTS

Oregon, Willamette Valley (6/10) From Julie Pond, Peerbolt Crop Management, Portland, OR
Strawberries: Strawberries are splitting from the conditions and slugs are living the dream. Growers were frantic trying to
get second pick Sweet Sunrise and first pick Hoods off this morning between systems. Fresh market folks are having a
rough time with the supply of pints from their regular suppliers with many delays in shipments happening right now. Lots
of borrowing from those that have extra happening now. Fruit is coming off and lots of it. Some real funky totem over-
flowering/overproducing happening this season. Not sure how consistent it is but it was shockingly obvious during the
field day and a few other totem fields visited.

Blueberries: Early blueberries are thinking about blushing but not quite there yet. We're working on finding commonalities
with the blueberry dieback happening in Liberty, Aurora and Bluecrop (in Oregon and add to that list in WA and BC). Some
growers had pointed out that the fields showing symptoms were also those same fields that they were forced to have take
a slight back seat in watering during the heat dome a near year ago. This isn't consistent but I thought it was worth
mentioning.

Blackberries: Kotata, Columbia Star, and Marion have had their first fungicide application. Obsidians have had two
applications and are in full bloom and starting to tail off. It’s so difficult to get into the fields with the weather.

Raspberries: Caneberry that have early drupes forming are slightly incomplete due to rain at pollination time. There will be
crumbly fruit in those but hopefully it's just directed at the king berries at this point. Too early to tell otherwise right now.
Yellow Rust is at Uredinia stage in inner leaves so management timing is now.

Western Oregon, Willamette Valley (6/11) From Amanda Stevens, Nottinghamshire Farms, Willamette
Valley, OR
Strawberries: We got through our entire field last week. Were able to sell some but mostly cleaned up for the field. At the
farm (St. Paul,OR) we measured 1.6" of rain from Friday morning to Saturday morning. It's hard not to be depressed right
now.

British Columbia, Fraser Valley (6/11) From Chuck Mouritzen, Southwest Crop Consulting, Chilliwack, BC
Blueberries: Most blueberry varieties are over the bloom period and into initial fruit sizing. It's been a tough last week with
considerable rain which has made crop protection very difficult and increased the threat of fruit rot. However, I'm pleased
to see levels of infection appear low in areas that I cover where fungicides have managed to be applied with short
application intervals. Considering the conditions during bloom, this feat has been a real challenge. Unfortunately,
pollination so far does not appear as good as I had optimistically hoped for across the area. There definitely is a
difference to be seen where bee concentrations were high versus areas where pollinator use was sub-standard. A real
case to be made for what is really important for crop success, especially in challenging weather seasons. Good area
pollinator density is critical and it shows this year. Many growers really need to re-evaluate where to put crop input dollars.

Raspberries: Raspberries are into bloom and early fruit formation. The weather again is a huge factor now and fungicide
apps are well under way. Growth is good. But the developmental impacts of April's frost injured plants are still evident in
affected fields- shortened laterals or outright dieback. So far insect pests (mites,weevils) are at low levels but aphid
numbers will start to climb as new primocane growth makes its way into the mid-cane height mark. Some root rot is
showing but we really haven't had much heat stress to reveal the hot spots. As crop load progresses this will add to stress
and infection will become more evident.

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 02
Northern Washington, Whatcom & Skagit Counties (6/12) From Drs. Chakradhar Mattupalli and Lisa
DeVetter
We hope to dry out soon after the deluges of rain the past week. Between June 5-11 (1 week), we have had 2.3 inches of
rain in Mount Vernon, Washington. In Lynden, the precipitation totals have also been averaging around 2 inches for the
past week. Even Prosser, which is traditionally drier, has received ~0.5 inches of rain in the last week. This of course has
challenged field operations and slowed down blueberry crop development. However, raspberry crop development in
northwestern Washington is appearing good and early fruit are starting to develop. As for the plant health situation we are
seeing in 'Liberty' and a few other cultivars, we continue to investigate with Dr. Chakradhar Mattupalli (WSU Blueberry and
Potato Pathologist) doing isolations. The situation is complex, but we are working as a regional team to hopefully provide
answers and recommendations soon.

Also, WSU NWREC in Mount Vernon received some good news! We will be welcoming Dr. Louie Nottingham as our new
horticultural crop entomologist in October 2022. Dr. Nottingham is an excellent entomologist and he will be working with
horticultural crops in western Washington, including berries.

WakeHaven development. June 10, 2022. NW Washington. Photo by Lisa Wasco DeVetter, WSU

2022 PNW Management Handbooks now available - Published online only:

2022 PNW Insect Management Handbook 2022

PNW Plant Disease Management Handbook 2022

PNW Weed Management Handbook

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 03
 Blueberry Bud Development

P ATR IO T BLUEJAY DU KE DR AP ER TO P SHELF LIB ER TY AU R O R A LAST C ALL

WEEK 24 6/10/2022
WEEK 24 6/11/2021
WEEK 24 6/19/20
WEEK 24 6/14/19

P ATR IO T BLUEJAY DU KE DR AP ER TO P SHELF LIB ER TY AU R O R A LAST C ALL

 Industry News

Brought to you by OVS

Leafroller pupae. June 10, 2022 in Willamette Valley, OR. Photo by Julie Pond.

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.
214 - PAU L - MASO N B EES IN ( AN U NU SU ALLY ) C O O L WET SPR ING

NEWSLETTERS OF THE INDUSTRY

Meet the USHBC's First Blueberry Industry Leadership Program Fellows!

Behind The Blue: Welcome First Leadership Program Cohort, NYC Event Kicks Off NBM, Women in Blueberries Webinar
Series, Help Tell Our Story

Welcome Dr. Louie Nottingham, Horticultural Crops Entomologist

Washington Blueberry Commission Newsletter
Fruit & Nut Production - MSU Extension News

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 05
FEATURED LINKS
Plenty of reasons to admire the U.S. blueberry industry (6/14, Growing Produce)

Here’s where to find the best U-pick berries in Whatcom County this season (6/11, The Bellingham Herald)

National retail report - specialty crops (6/13, Fresh Plaza)

Russian troops in Kherson region force locals to sell harvest at low prices (6/14, Fresh Plaza)

LOGISTICS
Congress passes ocean shipping reform bill
READ MORE
(6/11, Capital Press)

LABOR
Washington further loosens COVID housing restrictions
READ MORE
(5/23, Good Fruit Grower)

WORLD MARKET
Yunnan alpine blueberries popular in season READ MORE
(6/13, Fresh Plaza)

The soil of Zimbabwe seems to be magical for blueberries

READ MORE
(6/13, Fresh Plaza)

Moroccan blueberry industry strives for 100,000 tons of fresh fruit exported by 2030
READ MORE
(6/13, Fresh Plaza)

NORTH AMERICA
Florida’s next cash crop?: The humble blackberry READ MORE
(6/13, ABC Action News)

Eastern Connecticut faces drought conditions that endanger strawberry production READ MORE
(6/10, Fresh Plaza)

Orange rust threatens blackberries this year READ MORE

(5/23, Journal Patriot)

New Jersey blueberries bring supply relief READ MORE

(6/9, Fresh Plaza)

TECHNOLOGY
Swiss startup wins award - reducing plant stress is key to increasing yields READ MORE
(6/14, Fresh Plaza)

New approach to raspberry breeding in Italy READ MORE

(6/9, Fresh Plaza)

Green technology employed to grow berries out of season READ MORE

(6/10, Fresh Plaza)

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 06
 June Crop Management for Week 25

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.

Mystery dieback in Aurora. June 10, 2022 in Willamette Valley, OR. Photo
by Julie Pond.

Marys peak splits from excess rain. June 10, 2022 in Willamette Valley, OR. Photo by Julie Pond.

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 08
 Small Fruit
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NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 09
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
[email protected]

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

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 25 | JUNE 15, 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!

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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].