In this bulletin:
- Crop Update
- Spotted wing drosophila
- Product Update
- Berry Events
Strawberries: Growers are applying herbicides and miticides where needed to renovated June-bearing fields. The goal of renovation is to have health plants by mid-August when flowers buds are initiated for next year. Looking at last year’s bulletin we were talking about irrigation at this point in the season- what a different season we are having this year! Harvest is picking up in spring-planted and overwintered fall-planted day-neutrals.
Insects: Tarnished plant bug nymphs (TPB) can be found in day-neutrals. Monitor for TPB, potato leafhopper and two-spotted spider mite regularly in day-neutrals. SWD is active and all growers with ripe fruit should be managing for SWD. Aphids can be found building up in new fields and on the new growth in renovated fields- insecticides are needed every 3-4 weeks to control aphids and manage viruses through the season.
Day-Neutrals: Disease management has been challenging with the recent rains making it hard to fit a spray in. Controlling anthracnose and botrytis regularly is very important right now. Warm weather with rain will spread anthracnose. Use Switch or Miravis Prime when there’s a high risk- noting the maximum of three applications of fludioxonil-containing products season. Remember to not rely on group 11s alone- there is anthracnose resistance to group 11s in Ontario. The strawberry disease models may be helpful to time fungicide applications for botrytis and anthracnose control. Some areas of the province have a high risk of anthracnose and botrytis this weekend.
Powdery mildew pressure is also increasing- alternate fungicides from different groups for powdery mildew control.
Raspberries: Summer-fruiting raspberry harvest is slowing down. Consider a postharvest insecticide for SWD control if there are fall bearing raspberries or blueberries on your farm.
Blueberries: blueberry harvest continues with a good crop. Growers should be spraying for SWD regularly, and Japanese beetles are a challenge in some areas.
Spotted wing drosophila monitoring: All growers with ripening and ripe berries should be spraying regularly (every 5-7 days, re-applying after ½ inch of rain). SWD numbers will continue to climb for the rest of the summer. Clean, regular harvest is important, cool fruit immediately, and remove unmarketable fruit as pickers move through the field.
Product Update: There have been recent label expansions for berry growers. Check out these blog posts for more information:
Prism Herbicide label expanded for control of labelled weeds on cranberries
Upcoming Events:
Berry Growers of Ontario Twilight Meeting
Mark your calendars for the Twilight meeting on September 13, 2023, hosted by Blueberry Hill Estates, 1195 Front Rd. St. Williams.
- 4:00 Farm Tour
- 6:30- Dinner and BGO Greeting
- 8:00 Head for Home
Email info@ontarioberries.com to register!
Soilless Berry Study Group
When: Thursday, August 24, 2:00-4:00pm
Where: Harry’s Berries, 1230 Windham Road 10, Windham Centre
Cost: Free
Bring your own lawn chairs! Refreshments will be provided. Please contact Victoria Eastman (victorialeastman@gmail.com) or Erica Pate (erica.pate@ontario.ca) to register.
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