In this bulletin:
- Crop & Pest Update
- Label expansions: Beleaf, Serene, Purespray Green
- Berry Growers of Ontario Twilight Meeting
- AgRobotics Field Demo October 5
- Cleanfarms 2022 Unwanted pesticides
Strawberries: New June-bearing fields continue to fill in. Remember to apply 25-35 kg N/ha to new and renovated fields. Day-neutral harvest continues with good yields. Leaf diseases are showing up in June-bearing and day-neutrals.
Insects: Tarnished plant bug and SWD need to be managed in day-neutrals regularly, and continue to monitor for two-spotted spider mites and potato leafhoppers. Two-spotted spider mite pressure has been fairly low but leafhopper numbers are high and may need to be controlled.
Mites: Cyclamen mites can be found in many June-bearing fields. If you didn’t apply Agri-mek after renovation check renovated fields now and look at the new growth. If you are seeing stunted growth and tough, crinkled leaves, and can see the mites in the young, folded leaves you should control mites now or plan to apply a miticide in the spring. If you are planning on using row covers on any fields with a history of cyclamen mites pay close attention to these fields in the spring and watch for cyclamen mite damage. Watch for stunted growth in new fields as well- we have seen cyclamen mites in new plantings.
Disease: Powdery mildew can easily be found in day-neutrals and June-bearing strawberries, and control may be necessary.
Other leaf diseases showing up in June-bearing fields include angular leaf spot, Phomopsis leaf blight, and common leaf spot.
Angular leaf spot: Angular leaf spot can be found in new and renovated June-bearing fields. If a spray is necessary apply Tivano at 1.7% v/v for suppression– apply in a high volume to ensure good coverage, usually 500-700 L/ha. Do not use a surfactant if angular leaf spot is active.
Weeds: Labour day is coming up, which is an important time for weed control. In new plantings apply an herbicide to control winter annuals when rows are filled in. If rows are not filled in with runners continue to cultivate and hold off on herbicides. If you are using Sinbar use a very low rate, and rain or irrigation is needed after application for both Sinbar and Devrinol.
Raspberries:
The fall-bearing raspberry season continues to go well. SWD needs to be controlled for the rest of the season. Keep the fields as clean as possible- regular harvest is very important.
Late-August to early-September is a good time to apply Altacor for raspberry crown borer, to target hatching eggs. Make sure to get good coverage. The only other option for raspberry crown borer control is Diazinon in the spring if available, so Altacor now may be a good option.
Blueberries:
Blueberry harvest is slowing down as growers move on to late-season varieties. Maintain a regular SWD spray program for the rest of the season.
The Berry Growers of Ontario have an ongoing blueberry nematode survey with AAFC, and we are looking for more sites. If any growers are concerned about nematodes (weaker areas, less vigorous plants) or interested in participating in this survey let me know (erica.pate@ontario.ca or 519-410-0624) and I can collect samples for our blueberry nematode project this fall or next spring.
Label Expansions:
Beleaf 50SG (PCP # 29796) label expanded through a user requested minor use label expansion (URMULE) for the control of thrips on strawberries. Rate: 200 g (3 applications) or 300 g (2 applications) per hectare. Apply when thrips first appear in the field and before populations reach high levels. Beleaf will stop thrips feeding rapidly but it may take several days to see a reduction in thrips numbers. Under heavy infestation, use the higher rate of 300 g/ha. Maximum application: 600 g/ha per season. PHI: 0 days. REI: 12 hours. See attached label.
Serene Herbicide label expanded via Minor Use Program to help manage labelled weeds in various fruit crop groups– including suppression or control of labelled weeds on berry crops.
Purespray Green spray oil label expanded via Minor Use Program to help manage insects on numerous fruit crops in Canada – including control of scale on blueberry.
Events:
Mark your calendars for the Berry Growers of Ontario Twilight Meeting, coming up September 7th at Watson Farms in Bowmanville!
Schedule: 4:00 Farm Tour
6:30 Dinner and BGO Greeting
8:00 Head for Home
Registration is required- email info@ontarioberries.com to register.
AgRobotics Field Demo at Heeman’s October 5: Join Haggerty AgRobotics and the Grove as they host an in-field demo at Heeman’s in London. The Autonomous weeding robot Naio Oz will be on display. For more information check out: AgRobotics Field Demo @ Heeman’s Tickets, Wed, Oct 5, 2022 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite
Cleanfarms is offering free disposal of unwanted pesticides. Dates in Northern Ontario September 12-16 and in Southern Ontario 19-27: https://onfruit.ca/2022/08/18/clean-farms-2022-unwanted-pesticide-disposal/
The Farmer Wellness Initiative offers farmers across Ontario and members of their household with access to free counselling sessions with a mental health professional. Call 1-866-267-6255 to speak to a counsellor.
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