Infected fruit symptoms of Mummyberry are now becoming evident in some southern blueberry fields. [Photos by T. Peerbolt]

Page updated June 30, 2009

Click on the logo to get to Rufus La Lone's Weather Cafe.

Click here for current degree day information.

Newsletters/Updates

• British Columbia Blueberry Commission IPM Newsletter for 6-18-09: Click here
• New Jersey Blueberry Bulletin for 6-22-09: Click here.
• Michigan State Blueberry IPM Newsletter for 6-30-09: Click here.
• Michigan State Fruit Crop Advisory for 6-30-09: Click here.

Industry news/resources

National

• (Michigan) Crop 'guesstimate' hints at higher apple, blueberry production: Click here (6/23/09 The Packer)
• Georgia blueberry crop a good one: Click here (6/23/09 Southeast Farm Press)
• Mississippi blueberry growers are harvesting strong crop: Click here (6/19/08 Miss. State Univ.)
• (Northwest) Harvest moves quickly for strawberries: Click here ( 6/25/09 Capital Press)
• A Truce in the Crop Wars: Click here (6/27/09 Newsweek) A story about plant breeding trends moving away from genetic engineering and toward 'new and improved' traditional breeding techniques.
• Natural 'air force' guards central Washington blueberry crop: Click here (6/29/09 Seattle P.I.)

International

• (Global) 2009 Raspberry crop forecast: Click here for a one page PDF. This forecast is from R Consulting in Chile.
•  (International Symposium) Latest Berry Health Benefits Revealed: Click here (6/24/09 Examiner.com)
• (Holland) First openfield berries harvested at BerryBrothers: Click here (Fresh Plaza)
• (Poland) Flood aid for residents now, farmers later?: Click here (6/29/09 Warsaw Business Journal) Predicting a 20% loss in the strawberry crop.

Gap Information Sites

• Oregon Department of Ag: Information page with upcoming seminars and further links.
  
• National GAP Information Center: This is a great place for information and resources.
  
• Primus Labs: This is a leading private certifying company.
  
• University of California Food Safety Website: Self audits and much other good information.
  

2009 International Berry Health Benefits Symposium

Join scientists from around the world for an international conference to showcase the latest research regarding the relationship berries have with a variety of health benefits. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss new research findings and learn about the profound positive effects of berries on human disease prevention.

The two-day event takes place on June 22 & 23, 2009 at the Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey, California. Click here for more information.

Northwest Integrated Pest Management

This Site has been created by Peerbolt Crop Management (Tom & Anna Peerbolt) to provide the northwest small fruit industry with a convenient place to access needed information on integrated pest management (IPM). It will also serve as an informational base for industry resources and events. The flexibility of being web based allo1ws us to provide timely weather and pest alerts as well as update the constantly changing control options available to growers. The advantage (and disadvantage) of this project is that it relies on interaction and a flow of information to keep it alive and working. Please, let us know if there are links that don't work or if there is information we should update or add that you'd find useful.

Our Sources

Much of our chemical pest control label information comes from Joe DeFrancesco, a pesticide specialist at Oregon State University. Joe runs the IR-4 project there as well as coordinating Pest Management Strategic Plans for many Oregon crops. He also provides growers with much needed information on the ever changing control options. His activities on behalf of the northwest small fruit industry are critical as a link between regulatory agencies, control manufacturers and growers.

Our insect and disease information relies on many sources besides our own knowledge and experience. The primary ones are the Caneberry PMSP, Blueberry PMSP, Strawberry Crop Profile, Oregon State University Online Plant Disease Manual and PNW Insect Control Manual. Thanks to Jay Pschiedt and Joe DeFrancesco for doing such a great job. Other major sources are:Whatcom County Raspberry IPM Manual, Washington State University, Hortsense, the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, University of California IPM Manual, and Cornell University. Other sources throughout the U.S. are also sited and linked.

Photos

We have cited the photographer or source of all the photos on this site, noting the few unknown to us. Many of the pictures on this site are our own or come from Oregon State University. However, to provide photos that best help identify a pest or diagnose a problem, we have depended on many sources. If you have photos that you would be willing to share, please let us know.

Promise and Disclaimer

We will keep the information accurate and up-to-date to the best of our abilities. However, we can't issue any guarantees on this information since we are relying on many sources and changes can happen quickly. If you're in doubt, check with your local sources of information--extension, other growers, industry fieldmen, or private consultants.

Copyright/Permission

Any photos by T. Peerbolt or A. Peerbolt can be copied and used as long as we are cited as the source. If you feel that we have used your information or photos inappropriately, please contact us.