- Author: Mark Bolda
It's finally happened. Dale-Ila Riggs of New York, after three years of work and steadily reduced spotted wing drosophila in her blueberries has achieved total exclusion of this pest. This is a huge accomplishment!
Thanks to Fruit Grower News for sharing the video.
- Author: Mark Bolda
This comes from my colleague Bernadine Strik up at OSU:
Oregon State University will be offering another Blueberry School on March 16-17, 2015 in Corvallis. Early registration for reduced rates ends on Feb. 5, 2015. http://osublueberryschool.org/
This two-day blueberry “school” is intended for both new and experienced blueberry growers, farm managers, crew leaders, advisors, packers/shippers, and consultants. Key issues addressed include blueberry markets, how you might be more successful in tight labor or volume markets; which cultivars are easiest to grow and are in most demand; how to establish new acreage using cutting-edge methods; how to best manage existing acreage to maximize returns of high-quality fruit; basic information on blueberry plant physiology; nutrient management programs; irrigation and fertigation practices; use of organic amendments and mulches; using weed mat as a mulch; machine harvest; pruning, maximizing pollination; and viruses, diseases, insects, weeds, and vertebrate pests. Information throughout the program will address the needs of conventional, transitional, and organic growers. For more information see our draft agenda posted on the web site.
Simultaneous interpretation for Spanish speakers is planned with sponsorship funds generated. If you'd like to sponsor this event, please contact Bernadine Strik (bernadine.strik@oregonstate.edu)