SMALL FRUIT UPDATE | WEEK 34 | AUGUST 17, 2022

Farm projects. July, 2022. Photo by Abby C Gearing

WHAT'S INSIDE Julie Pond

NORTHWEST BERRY FOUNDATION
INDUSTRY RESOURCES

GROWER RESOURCES Nutrient sampling time!

INDUSTRY NEWS I get it, most of you are rolling your eyes thinking "Yes, Julie, we know this. You've sent
plenty of notices in recent weeks". But this year is different. As input costs continue to
PEST MANAGEMENT rise, and are already substantially more expensive than they once were, nutrient
efficiencies will be key to keeping costs under control. . Proper leaf/soil sample timing
SFU SPONSORS and prudent use of fertilizer, which is significantly more expensive now, can make a
savings difference.

Soil and leaf sampling in post-harvest fields should happen now. This is the most
accurate time to determine what nutrient levels are needed for next season. Every
farm, every field has unique needs, and only your plants can tell you what those are.
Testing now means no guessing later, no costly overbuying, and less spending on
unnecessary inputs.

It’s a less-than-exciting chore, but it will pay off later in savings next season. Keep
water as the top priority in this heat.

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NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 01
 Grower Resources

REGIONAL FIELD REPORTS

Oregon, Willamette Valley (8/12) From Julie Pond, Peerbolt Crop Management, Portland, OR
Blueberries: The late season continues to mess with me. Drapers are still going to export market channels in
mid August and Last Call/Aurora haven't even started harvest down here yet (getting close though). Liberty has
just finished first pick. Elliots are left hanging for now or are just starting. Processors still don't have any (or
very, very few) flats so totes continue to be used because there is so much fruit overlapping and holding on
plants.

I'm just starting to see the first signs of new growth branching in plants that had the unknown dieback that we
have been collectively wrapping our heads around all season.

Strawberries: Day Neutral strawberries are getting hit with hopefully the last generation of Lygus Bug. Mites
continue to stay at bay which is the first year that's ever happened. Honestly, mites in all crops down here have
stayed at bay thus far which has to be a record or something!

Caneberries: Triple Crown blackberry is going through a second harvest right now. Primocane raspberries are
rolling and seem to be well formed and of decent size. The main concern with any remaining caneberries is the
obscene amount of fungal growth showing up on them while ripening but also within 24 hrs after pick. We
thought this would likely be the case considering the late, wet pattern we had but it's very discouraging.
Especially so for those that weren't able to get on more than one fungicide application during bloom.

Washington Blueberry Commission (8/12) From Alan Schreiber

Eastern Washington Blueberries: Draper harvest is essentially over and growers are picking several of the later
season varieties. There has been significant plantings of later season blueberry varieties in eastern
Washington, in particular in the lower Columbia Basin and Yakima Valley. Approximately 40% of production in
that area are now post Draper varieties. This means there is still a very large amount of fruit left to pick in
eastern Washington. Harvest is expected to continue to the end of September with a small amount of
blueberries being picked the first week of October.

British Columbia, Fraser Valley (8/15) From Chuck Mouritzen, Southwest Crop Consulting, Chilliwack,
BC
Blueberries: Considerable Draper has been taken off the last week. Not a big crop but the quality is good. And
Bluecrop is being harvested now. Calypso is not quite there yet for machines, however, some young fields may
be ready to go with some hand picks. Now we are into some post harvest treatments in Dukes. Overall harvest
becomes pretty academic from here on. And the weather seems to be obliging us with good harvest
conditions.

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.

Lady beetle camp. August 15, 2022. Photo by Lyxe James.

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. RECOMMENDED TIMING & FREQUENCY OF TESTING
Adjusting soil pH & incorporating nutrients (like
potassium and phosphorus) that don’t move readily Soil Sampling
from surface applications should happen before Always before planting.
planting. For analyzing problem situations.
Only every few years for maintenance checks. Not
Strawberries: For annual/short term crops like needed every year.
strawberries, soil testing is usually the only method
used for adjusting nutrient programs. After renovation Tissue Sampling
is recommended for multi-year plantings. Every year at the same time –for blueberries and
floricane raspberries and blackberries this is the last
Soil testing to diagnose problems: Most useful when week in July through the first week in August.
combined with in-field observations, results of annual For analyzing problem situations—take samples from
leaf tissue sampling, and a history of a fertility both healthy and unhealthy areas of the field for
program and other soil/tissue tests. comparing.

Seasonal timing: Fall or spring is common, but it’s RECOMMENDED PROTOCOLS/ COMMENTS FOR TISSUE
very important to be consistent! There can be big TESTING
differences if you test in the spring in one year and
Blueberries-- Collect the most recent, fully-expanded
fall in the another. Don’t test in spring after any
leaf with the petiole attached (leaf stem) only from
fertilization. •
shoots below where fruit is/was located.
Raspberries & Blackberries-- Collect the most recent,
Location of sampling: Between the dripline and base
fully-expanded leaf with the petiole attached (leaf
of the plants & enough to be representative of the
stem) only from the primocanes-- about 12 inches
entire field. Move any mulch aside before collecting a
from the tip.
soil sample.
Cultivars should be sampled separately, as should
any problem areas in the field.
For a concise explanation of the how to take and how
If they are covered with dust, rinse them briefly and
to interpret soil and tissue sampling, use this six page
let them air dry; otherwise do not wash.
guide: Nutrient Management of Berry Crops in Oregon
All blueberry and floricane fruiting caneberry
(2013)
cultivars, regardless of ripening time, should be
sampled in the late-July to early-August window.
Nutrition Resources for Berry Growers Leaf nutrient concentrations naturally change
throughout the season (from spring to autumn) so
Strawberry Nutrient Management Guide Oregon these published standards are NOT applicable if you
and Washington (May, 2019/Oregon State sample tissue outside the late July-early August
University) sampling time.
Nutrient Management for Blueberries in Oregon
(Published: Nov. 2006; Reviewed: June, Other Considerations
2016/Oregon State University) It’s best to pair results of tissue tests with in-field
Caneberries Nutrient Management Guide observations when deciding on whether or not to
(Published: Jan. 2006; Reviewed: July, modify a nutrient management program.
2016/Oregon State University)

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 04
 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 34 8/11/22
WEEK 34 - 2021

HARVEST STARTED FOR THIS PERIOD

WEEK 34 - 2020

HARVEST STARTED FOR THIS PERIOD

WEEK 34 - 2019

HARVEST STARTED FOR THIS PERIOD

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
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.
QUALITY AND GENETICS - PART TWO WITH BRAD MOORER OF MBG MARKETING

PolliNation: A podcast from Oregon State University Extension Service hosted by Dr. Andony
Melathopoulos.
218 - CASEY HOLLAND - WHAT THE HECK DOES IPM MEAN (IN NEW MEXICO)?

NEWSLETTERS OF THE INDUSTRY

Behind The Blue Inspiring Possibilities in Malaysia, Register For The Blueberry Summit, Bird Management Podcast
Episode

Webinar - Generating a Vaccinium Pangenome To Unlock Previously Hidden Genetic Variation

FEATURED LINKS
Movement of blueberries through Oregon and Washington expected to decrease slightly (Fresh Plaza, 8/15)

Organic blueberry volume continues to grow (Fresh Plaza, 8/11)

British Columbia: Pilot program helps recruit & retain seasonal domestic agriculture workers (Fresh Plaza, 8/10)

FDA’s new proposed food-safety agri water rule may be too complex (Fresh Plaza, 8/16)

LOCAL
TOO MUCH, TOO HIGH, TOO SLOW: Farmers in W. Washington reap what a wet and cold spring, combined with higher
READ MORE
input prices, sowed
(8/11, Capital Press)

Farm Credit West and NW Farm Credit Services pursue potential merger
READ MORE
(8/15, Capital Press)
West Nile virus detected in E. Oregon mosquitoes
READ MORE
(8/11, Capital Press)

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 06
NORTH AMERICA
Inflation hits organic fresh produce in Q2
READ MORE
(8/9, Fresh Plaza)
Seven produce industry trends of 2022
READ MORE
(8/10, Fresh Plaza)

Drought is decimating wild blueberry crops

READ MORE
(8/12, Fresh Plaza)
Total ad numbers this week: 7% decrease from last week's 314,510
READ MORE
(8/15, Fresh Plaza)

Drought-stricken US states must cut water use as federal deadline looms

READ MORE
(8/16, Fresh Plaza)

California about to switch to summer-planted berry region

READ MORE
(8/12, Fresh Plaza)
USHBC celebrates 2021 successes with annual Impact Report
READ MORE
(8/9, Fruit Grower News)

WORLD PRODUCTION
Peruvian blueberry exports grew by 119% in the first half of 2022
READ MORE
(8/12, Fresh Plaza)
"The later fruit came on faster so we may see a reduction in sizing”
READ MORE
(8/15, Fresh Plaza)

The first container of OZblu blueberries this season lands in Shanghai

READ MORE
(8/16, China Fresh Plaza)

How Berries Australia plans to expand export markets for future growth
READ MORE
(8/16, Fresh Plaza)

BREEDING
What It Takes To Help Make Flavor of Strawberries More Superior
READ MORE
(8/11, Growing Produce)

WEATHER
Red Flag Warning issued for Western Washington state
READ MORE
(8/10, Capital Press)

Hail damages crops in E. Oregon: 'The worst I've seen'

READ MORE
(8/16, Capital Press)

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 07
 August Crop Management for Week 34

Post harvest in many varieties continues. Prepare for soil and/or leaf sampling to be completed.
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.”

Pesticide and MRL Resources:

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

View on NBF website

Farm life. July, 2022. Photo by Abby C Gearing

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 08
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.
Scout for Purple Blotch lesions in Marion berries to assess field disease levels for later treatments.
Scout for Botrytis on fruit.
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
Monitor leaves for Yellow Rust. Uredinia stage is the main management stage.
Scout for Botrytis on fruit.
Scout for leafroller larvae feeding.
Nutrient sample near post harvest.

Strawberries
Soil sample post harvest June bearers.
Monitor for weevil adults.
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 09
 Small Fruit
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NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 10
Industry Calendar

AUGUST 2022

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. 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 11
 THE SMALL FRUIT UPDATE
WEEK 34 | AUGUST 17, 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.