SMALL FRUIT UPDATE | WEEK 40 |
SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
WHAT'S INSIDE Julie Pond
NORTHWEST BERRY FOUNDATION
INDUSTRY RESOURCES
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Support the Northwest Berry Foundation and Tom
Peerbolt’s Recovery
INDUSTRY NEWS
PEST MANAGEMENT
Since posting Tom’s health statement last week, numerous folks from
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the industry have reached out to wish Tom well as he recovers and
have asked how they can help. So, after some consideration, we
decided to create a fundraiser to support the Northwest Berry
Foundation as we support Tom during his recovery.
The NBF has committed to supporting Tom during his recovery
process but this has put financial strain on the Foundation after a very
trying 2020 and 2021. We are reaching out to the industry and beyond
to help us keep doing what we do, while following the vision that Tom
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Small Fruit Update is
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outside the growing
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Grower Resources
REGIONAL FIELD REPORTS
This is the final week of regular regional reports as the majority of the harvest season comes to a close. Thanks
to the industry members that contribute to these reports.
Western Oregon, Willamette Valley (9/27) From Julie Pond, PCM, Portland, OR
Most everything is finished up here with the exception of some cold storage movement and very occasional
last season field picks. SWD has been taking the spotlight for any remaining fruit coming out of the fields.
However, considering it took a while to build up populations this year I'd say we made it through one of the
lowest SWD pressure seasons since SWD showed up over 10 years ago. Fall planting of blueberries is in full
swing.
British Columbia, Fraser Valley (9/27) From Jason Smith, Grower
Blueberries: Just finished last pick of Aurora on Saturday. Cleaning up fields, controlling weeds and applying
fungicides in between the rains. After the amount of rain on Sunday I don't think there's much for blueberries
left to be harvested other than what's under tunnels possibly.
Fall Blueberry planting. 9/25/21 Julie Pond
NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 02
Industry News
Blueberry Pollination Survey
The survey is part of a USDA NIFA-funded project to improve blueberry pollination. Though this survey, we are trying to
get a better picture of pollination practices. Whether a grower has 1 or 1000 acres, having their input is important.
Furthermore, respondents from each state will be entered in a raffle to win a $50 gift certificate.
COMPLETE SURVEY
PODCASTS OF THE INDUSTRY
The Business of Blueberries: A podcast from the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council hosted by Kasey
Cronquist and Rod Cook.
REIMAGINING THE TRACTOR
PolliNation: A podcast from Oregon State University Extension Service hosted by Dr. Andony
Melathopoulos.
192 - LISA DEVETTER - BLUEBERRY POLLINATION PLANNER
Job Opportunities
OSU Endowed Professorship for Northwest Berry Production and Management position now open (Bernadine Strik
retires at the end of Dec. 2021). Application deadline is Nov. 10th. See job posting for more information
VIEW JOB POSTING
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
NASGA RFA has been released with Nov. 1st, 2021 deadline VIEW DETAILS
WSCPR RFP has been released with a Nov. 19th, 2021 deadline VIEW DETAILS
NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 03
Regional Monitoring
September 9, 2021
VIEW FULL REPORT SIGN UP HERE
REGIONAL MONITORING
(This is a repeat of last week’s information as the new report wasn’t received in time to include in this week’s edition.)
For most at this point, the growing season is over. Due to the environmental factors, It was not a
great year for the record books as far as berry crops were concerned. However, the bright side is
that SWD was not something growers had to think about much on top of all the other challenges
faced.
For those still harvesting, SWD pressure is increasing as we head into the fall and we are seeing
sporadic, low-numbered, larval finds in the fields. If you are growing late season fruit, SWD will
always be a concern even in low pressure years like these. That said, there is certainly more
breathing room this year and there isn't the feeling of futility in trying to manage the pest as has
been the case in some years with the late season crop.
Location Total SWD
SAUV I E I S LAND 570
BANK S 36
FORE S T GROVE 21
CORN E L I US 9
HILL S B O RO 6
YAMH I L L 13
DUND E E 33
MCMI N N V ILLE 97
WILS O N V ILLE 13
NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 04
FEATURED LINKS
Number of container ships waiting for berthing at Southern California ports reached record before falling slightly (9/27,
Fresh Plaza)
USDA report shows shart growth in seasonal agricultural H-2A labor (9/23, Fruit Growers News)
Congress looks to expand disaster aid for farms (9/27, Capital Press)
Biden administration announces plan to protect farmworkers and others from extreme heat (9/24, The Packer)
New video shows scientists taking down third 'murder hornet' nest this year (9/24, Katu)
SHELF LIFE
First aid for soft fruit in case of a quality problem READ MORE
(9/23, Fresh Plaza)
StePac launches lean and fully recyclable top seal solution READ MORE
(9/22, The Packer)
STRAWBERRY
California strawberries start transition to Oxnard READ MORE
(9/27, Fresh Plaza)
LOGISTICS
Container Ports in the United States climb into the top 20 in the first half due to the pandemic (9/24, Blueberries READ MORE
Consulting)
(9/27, Fresh Plaza)
EUROPE
Huelva’s blueberry exports grew in volume by 17.2% between February and June 2021 READ MORE
(9/21, Blueberry Consulting)
Storm in Spanish province of Hyelva hits Campo de Lepe, Cartaya and La Redondela READ MORE
(9/27, Fresh Plaza)
No huge Peruvian blueberry boom in Europe yet READ MORE
(9/24, Fresh Plaza)
NURSERY AND BREEDING
The next goal will be to achieve a 52 week supply of quality and consistency READ MORE
(9/21, Blueberry Consulting)
PEST MANAGEMENT
Group: Specialty crop growers must be part of pesticide policy talk READ MORE
(9/27, Fruit Growers News)
NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 07
Industry Calendar
SEPTEMBER 2021
09/27 Innovate 2021: USHBC + NABC Tech Symposium and Fall Meetings
-
10/01 REGISTER HERE
OCTOBER 2021
Oregon Strawberry Commission Meeting
06
IN PERSON: HAYDEN’S BAR AND GRILL 8187 SW TUALATIN-SHERWOOD RD, TUALATIN, OR 97062 OR CONFERENCE CALL:832-831-
2424 PIN 203689
Washington Blueberry Commission Meeting
20
10AM AND WILL BE IN PERSON MEETING IN YAKIMA, WA WITH A POTENTIAL VIRTUAL OPTION. PLEASE CALL 509.266.4300 FOR
MEETING INFORMATION
20 - 21
BC Blueberry, Raspberry, and Strawberry Research Review
FURTHER DETAILS TBA
Oregon Blueberry Commission Meeting
25
ZOOM MEETING: 8:30AM. EMAIL THE OBC OFFICE FOR ZOOM RSVP LINK
DECEMBER 2021
2021 NCSFR Conference
13 - 15
TO BOOK A HOTEL ROOM, CLICK HERE. MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT ELISA
FORD AT [email protected]
JANUARY 2022
PNWIMC Conference
10 - 11
VIRTUAL EVENT. DETAILS TBA
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
NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 08
THE SMALL FRUIT UPDATE
WEEK 40 | SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
This is the sole industry publication, For more information or requests please
gathering grower and producer news, contact:
and regional field reports to unite,
stabilize, and strengthen the Northwest Abby Gearing,
berry growing region (Canada and US). SFU Designer & Editor
[email protected]
Production is independent of
government and commercial control Tom Peerbolt,
and made possible by the following NBF Director & Editor
commission & councils. [email protected].
