Berry Bulletin April 12, 2016

16-2 Berry Bulletin 04-12-16 -printable pdf

Welcome to another season of berry bulletins. Where did the winter go?

Please follow our fruit blog at www.ONFruit.wordpress.com.  The berry bulletins will be posted on the fruit blog. If you would like to receive the berry bulletin by fax, or by email, this service is provided by the Ontario Berry Growers Association. Please contact Kevin Schooley at info@ontarioberries.com or 613-258-4587.

Where is Publication #360, Guide to Fruit Production?

Publication 360, has been updated for 2016-2017. It is now available on line at http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/pub360/p360toc.htm.

Printed copies will soon be distributed to members of the Ontario Berry Growers Association as a service to members. You can also purchase a copy from a local OMAFRA office or from Service Ontario, (1-800-668-9938) but not yet.

A list of new products for berry growers is posted here: https://onfruit.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/new-products-for-berry-crops-ofvc-2016-v4.pdf.

Where is Publication #75, Guide to Weed Control?

Publication 75, has been updated for 2016-2017. It is now available on line at http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/pub75/pub75toc.htm. A printed copy  of Publication 75 can be ordered now from Service Ontario or purchased from a local OMAFRA office for approx $20. (1-800-668-9938)

Coming events:

Pest Management Workshops for Scouts – Pre-register at 1-877-424-1300.

Students will learn how to identify and scout for pests.Strawberries and raspberries –8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m,  May 18, 2016, OMAFRA Simcoe office

• Blueberries – 3:30- 8:30 p.m. June 1, 2016 – Woodstock OMAFRA office.
• Other workshops are also available for fruit and vegetable crops, including “Intro to IPM” .

https://onfruit.ca/2016/03/14/omafra-ipm-scout-training-workshops-for-2016/

Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Conference presentations are now on line http://ofvc.ca/session_notes.html. Check out the talks from the bird and wildlife management session, the frost protection session, the berry day or any other session you like!

North American Strawberry Growers Association Summer Tour: August 17-18, 2016 Quebec. This will be a great tour! You can also attend the International Strawberry Symposium, in Quebec City, August 13-17. info@nasga.org

North American Strawberry Growers, North American Raspberry and Blackberry growers, December 4-6, 2016 and Great Lakes Expo – Dec 6-8, Grand Rapids Michigan

Hotels fill up fast, so make a room reservation now. http://www.glexpo.com/attend-register/location-lodging.  For more information about NASGA call Kevin at 613-258-4587 or info@nasga.org. or about NARBA call Debbie 919-542-4037.

Exclusion netting for spotted wing drosophila:  

Dale Riggs from New York is very happy with exclusion netting for SWD.

• Final report from her 2-year project is here:  http://mysare.sare.org/sare_project/fne14-813/?page=final.
• Previous annual reports here:  http://mysare.sare.org/sare_project/fne14-813/

Although a possibility for small acreages, cost of exclusion netting remains an issue. I wonder if GF2 funding could be used to offset the cost for Ontario growers?  Link to Growing Forward 2: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/about/growingforward/gf2-farmbus.htm.

End of 2016-2