Monilinia Blight risk is rapidly decreasing across the province. At most monitoring sites, spore cups have dried up and plant development is moving into early bloom.
The only places where a low to moderate disease risk might still remain would be traditionally very late fields in mainland Nova Scotia and late fields in Cape Breton.
If farmers have applied a control measure on those late fields this week, they should be protected through the end of the Monilinia season.
Sites that are still reporting some active cups are:
South Hampton - 1 nearly Mature cup
Fenwick Hill - 1 pin, 1 nearly mature cup
Westchester (Kennel field) - 3 mature cups
This will be the last Monilinia Update of the season. I will continue to make periodic crop updates on this blog and on the Blightline through the harvest, including "SWD" monitoring.
Beeline Update
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Pollination season is fast approaching. (close to 20% open flower in the western end of the province as of today)
If there are growers who think they may need a few more bees to pollinate their crop check with our Beeline, there may be a couple of beekeepers with some hives to rent.
http://perennia.ca/Beeline/2015/2015%20Beeline%20v9.pdf
If there are growers who think they may need a few more bees to pollinate their crop check with our Beeline, there may be a couple of beekeepers with some hives to rent.
http://perennia.ca/Beeline/2015/2015%20Beeline%20v9.pdf
9th Monilinia Update for Nova Scotia
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
With the exception of a few late fields in Cape Breton all fields in Nova Scotia are beyond 40% F2. The western end of the Province is likely past Monilinia risk as flowers there should be opening very soon.
The only field site that is not yet at threshold is Egypt Mt., Cape Breton (16% F2)
We did have an infection period through much of the province last Friday and many areas may have had one today. If you have sprayed within the last week, you should be protected through these infection periods.
We are still seeing mature cups at many of our monitoring sites, however they are starting to dry up even on later fields.
Airport (Parrsboro): 1 mature, 1 drying up
Diligent river: 1 mature
Woods mtn: 1 drying up
Fenwick: 1 nearly mature
Westchester: 3 mature, 1 almost mature, 1 dried up
Lower cliff lloy:1 dried up
Farmington: 1 pin, 1 dried up.
The only field site that is not yet at threshold is Egypt Mt., Cape Breton (16% F2)
We did have an infection period through much of the province last Friday and many areas may have had one today. If you have sprayed within the last week, you should be protected through these infection periods.
We are still seeing mature cups at many of our monitoring sites, however they are starting to dry up even on later fields.
Airport (Parrsboro): 1 mature, 1 drying up
Diligent river: 1 mature
Woods mtn: 1 drying up
Fenwick: 1 nearly mature
Westchester: 3 mature, 1 almost mature, 1 dried up
Lower cliff lloy:1 dried up
Farmington: 1 pin, 1 dried up.
Disease risk is starting to decrease, but growers should still think about controls, particularly on later fields, if another wet period occurs.
8th Monilinia Update For Nova Scotia
Thursday, May 21, 2015
I decided to make an early post this week, as we are seeing accelerated plant development, cup development and fore-casted wet periods.
Most fields in Nova Scotia are at or beyond the 40-50% F2 stage. All monitored sites in Cumberland county are now at the susceptible stage as well as most fields in eastern Nova Scotia, including some in Cape Breton. There will be some fields that are not yet fully developed, but those would be high elevation or sheltered sites.
Risk of infection is still high in Central Nova Scotia and all points east. We had variable infection periods Tuesday through Wednesday depending upon your location. It appears we will have another infection period Friday afternoon through Saturday. Control measures should be considered. If you have made an application this week, it should protect the fruit buds, that were open at the time of application, through the weekend.
We are seeing mature and nearly mature apothecial "spore" cups at many of our sites in Cumberland county, this means infection risk is still there:
Woods Mt - 1 nearly mature cup
Diligent river - 1 nearly mature cup
Parrsboro (airport field) - 2 mature cups
Farmington - 1 nearly mature cup
Pigeon Hill - 2 pins, 2 nearly mature cups
Westchester (Kennel field) - 1 mature
Fenwick - 2 pins
Cape Breton:
Foote Cape - 43% F2
Most fields in Nova Scotia are at or beyond the 40-50% F2 stage. All monitored sites in Cumberland county are now at the susceptible stage as well as most fields in eastern Nova Scotia, including some in Cape Breton. There will be some fields that are not yet fully developed, but those would be high elevation or sheltered sites.
Risk of infection is still high in Central Nova Scotia and all points east. We had variable infection periods Tuesday through Wednesday depending upon your location. It appears we will have another infection period Friday afternoon through Saturday. Control measures should be considered. If you have made an application this week, it should protect the fruit buds, that were open at the time of application, through the weekend.
We are seeing mature and nearly mature apothecial "spore" cups at many of our sites in Cumberland county, this means infection risk is still there:
Woods Mt - 1 nearly mature cup
Diligent river - 1 nearly mature cup
Parrsboro (airport field) - 2 mature cups
Farmington - 1 nearly mature cup
Pigeon Hill - 2 pins, 2 nearly mature cups
Westchester (Kennel field) - 1 mature
Fenwick - 2 pins
Cape Breton:
Foote Cape - 43% F2
7th Monilinia Blight Update for Nova Scotia
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
For much of the province, there hasn't been a significant wet period since last Wednesday, May 13th. The western end of the province had a significant amount of rain on Sunday, but Central NS and East had no rain to speak of. The warm and dry conditions have push fruit bud development across the province with disease pressure being quite low.
Many fields in main land Nova Scotia are at or beyond 40-50% F2. There are exceptions throughout the province where North facing slopes or fields that had high snow loads on them are very slow to develop. This has resulted in fields that are close together developing at drastically different rates. Luckily to date much of the province has had very few infection periods.
We are still at risk to Monilinia infection if there is a significant wet period within the next week, and control measures should be considered if a wet period occurs.
If dry conditions persist, disease risk will decrease rapidly over the next week, particularly on early developing fields.
Here is a list of later developing fields in Central NS:
Farmington - 45% F2
Pigeon Hill - 50% F2 (1 pin and 1 mature cup)
Westchester - > 40% F2 (1 nearly mature cup)
Spiddle Hill - 40% F2
Dean - field 1 - 65% F2; field 2 - 8% F2
Cape Breton - 21% F2
With the exception of a couple of slow developing fields, the development in many areas is just slightly behind our reports from last year (approx. 1/2 week). Plant development has caught up rapidly over the last couple of weeks.
With plant development moving along, growers should be considering their sprout year herbicide applications over the next week or so.
Many fields in main land Nova Scotia are at or beyond 40-50% F2. There are exceptions throughout the province where North facing slopes or fields that had high snow loads on them are very slow to develop. This has resulted in fields that are close together developing at drastically different rates. Luckily to date much of the province has had very few infection periods.
We are still at risk to Monilinia infection if there is a significant wet period within the next week, and control measures should be considered if a wet period occurs.
If dry conditions persist, disease risk will decrease rapidly over the next week, particularly on early developing fields.
Here is a list of later developing fields in Central NS:
Farmington - 45% F2
Pigeon Hill - 50% F2 (1 pin and 1 mature cup)
Westchester - > 40% F2 (1 nearly mature cup)
Spiddle Hill - 40% F2
Dean - field 1 - 65% F2; field 2 - 8% F2
Cape Breton - 21% F2
With the exception of a couple of slow developing fields, the development in many areas is just slightly behind our reports from last year (approx. 1/2 week). Plant development has caught up rapidly over the last couple of weeks.
With plant development moving along, growers should be considering their sprout year herbicide applications over the next week or so.
6th Monilinia Update for Nova Scotia 2015
Friday, May 15, 2015
We are getting into the heart of blight season for a good chunk of Nova Scotia. Many fields are at or are approaching 40-50% F2 stage in Central Nova Scotia. (especially by the end of the weekend). The exception to this would be higher elevation fields or traditionally late fields.
The weather for Sunday is 10-15 mm of rain. Given the forecasted temperatures, if this does play out, there will be an infection period.
The entire western end of the province is beyond the 40% F2 stage and growers should be treating fields based on wet periods. Remember (Topas, Tilt, Jade and Mission) will protect open buds for 7-10 days after application. These products will also give some back action after infection. If buds are tight when a product is applied, it will not be protected if it opens up soon after.
Here is the list of reporting sites from today
Fenwick -36% F2 (1 pin)
South Hampton - 30% F2
Neuville Lake - 28% F2
Parrsboro (airport) - 25% F2
Woods Mountain - 24% F2
Diligent river - 13% F2
Glasgow Mt. - 14% F2
Advocate - 15% F2
Springhill - 19% F2
Windham hill - 23% F2
Sutherlands Lake - 16% F2
Swallow road - 44% F2
Bayhead - 65% F2
Most fields around the Debert/Truro area are at or beyond the 40% F2 stage
Dean - 19% F2
Growers east of Mt. Thom should be actively looking at their fields now. Fields will begin to develop rapidly.
The weather for Sunday is 10-15 mm of rain. Given the forecasted temperatures, if this does play out, there will be an infection period.
The entire western end of the province is beyond the 40% F2 stage and growers should be treating fields based on wet periods. Remember (Topas, Tilt, Jade and Mission) will protect open buds for 7-10 days after application. These products will also give some back action after infection. If buds are tight when a product is applied, it will not be protected if it opens up soon after.
Here is the list of reporting sites from today
Fenwick -36% F2 (1 pin)
South Hampton - 30% F2
Neuville Lake - 28% F2
Parrsboro (airport) - 25% F2
Woods Mountain - 24% F2
Diligent river - 13% F2
Glasgow Mt. - 14% F2
Advocate - 15% F2
Springhill - 19% F2
Windham hill - 23% F2
Sutherlands Lake - 16% F2
Swallow road - 44% F2
Bayhead - 65% F2
Most fields around the Debert/Truro area are at or beyond the 40% F2 stage
Dean - 19% F2
Growers east of Mt. Thom should be actively looking at their fields now. Fields will begin to develop rapidly.
5th Monilinia Update for Nova Scotia
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Floral bud development is beginning to move along rapidly. Some areas may have had an infection period from Tuesday through early Wednesday. I say may have, because not as much rain has fallen as expected and it is cool. However, if fields are above the 40-50% F2 stage it would probably prudent to apply a control product within the next two days. Fields that are slower to develop can likely wait to be sprayed until the next wet period which could be next week, as the weather outlook is for warm and dry conditions.
Here is the list of reporting sites from today
Fenwick -21% F2
South Hampton - 20% F2
Oxford - 41% F2
Westchester (kennel field) - 14% F2 - (1 nearly mature cup)
Pigeon Hill (Charles Ripley field) - 7% F2
Parrsboro (airport) - 14% F2
Woods Mountain - 14% F2
Diligent river - 6% F2
Fox Point - 3% F2
Swallow road - 17.5% F2
Bayhead - 17% F2
East Mines - 45% F2
Montrose - 42% F2
Highland Village - 56% F2
Londonderry - 35% F2
Brookfield - 45% F2
Glenmore - 39 % F2
Benvie Hill - 23% F2
Rawdon - >40% F2
Caledonia - 70% F2 (moving fast)
Victory (Annapolis county) - 55% F2
Sable River - 65% F2
The western end of the province is mostly at or beyond the 40-50% F2 stage. Fields in this area should be considered susceptible if there is a wet period.
Here is the list of reporting sites from today
Fenwick -21% F2
South Hampton - 20% F2
Oxford - 41% F2
Westchester (kennel field) - 14% F2 - (1 nearly mature cup)
Pigeon Hill (Charles Ripley field) - 7% F2
Parrsboro (airport) - 14% F2
Woods Mountain - 14% F2
Diligent river - 6% F2
Fox Point - 3% F2
Swallow road - 17.5% F2
Bayhead - 17% F2
East Mines - 45% F2
Montrose - 42% F2
Highland Village - 56% F2
Londonderry - 35% F2
Brookfield - 45% F2
Glenmore - 39 % F2
Benvie Hill - 23% F2
Rawdon - >40% F2
Caledonia - 70% F2 (moving fast)
Victory (Annapolis county) - 55% F2
Sable River - 65% F2
The western end of the province is mostly at or beyond the 40-50% F2 stage. Fields in this area should be considered susceptible if there is a wet period.
4th Monilinia Blight Update for Nova Scotia 2015
Friday, May 8, 2015
It is with great sadness that I have to report, that our colleague and friend Rick Delbridge passed away early this morning. Rick was an extremely kind and generous man, an exceptional Agrologist and made a huge impact to the wild blueberry industry throughout his career.
Rick along with Paul Hildebrand were pioneers in blight monitoring for the wild blueberry industry. As many of you know Rick led the Monilinia and Botrytis monitoring programs "blighline" for many years, and was still involved into this spring.
He will be missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.
Rick had a great passion for plant pathology and I know he would want to make sure the Monilinia report got out to growers, so here it goes.
Fruit buds are beginning to move across the province, but we have seen great variation in development depending on slope, location and how long the snow has been off the field.
Newville lake -11% F2
Athol - 7 & 9% F2 (two fields)
Windham Hill - 4% F2
Oxford - 23% F2
Westchester - 3% F2
Pigeon Hill (Charles Ripley field) - 7% F2
Canaan Mountain - 20% F2
Parrsboro - 0% F2
Woods Mountain - 0% F2
Swallow road - 5% F2
Spiddle Hill - 10% F2
East Mines - 11% F2
Montrose - 11% F2
Highland Village - 23% F2
Londonderry - 19% F2
Cooks Brook - 40% F2 (1 pin)
Glenmore - 16.5 % F2
Benvie Hill - 24% F2
Rawdon 30% F2
Caledonia (Wednesday) - 18% F2 (moving fast)
There is some possible wet periods approaching at the end of the weekend. With the projected temperatures, some fields will be beyond 40% F2 by Monday and if there is a significant wet period, a control may be warranted.
Farmers that have fields, in traditionally early areas, should be paying close attention to fruit bud development this weekend.
Rick along with Paul Hildebrand were pioneers in blight monitoring for the wild blueberry industry. As many of you know Rick led the Monilinia and Botrytis monitoring programs "blighline" for many years, and was still involved into this spring.
He will be missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.
Rick had a great passion for plant pathology and I know he would want to make sure the Monilinia report got out to growers, so here it goes.
Fruit buds are beginning to move across the province, but we have seen great variation in development depending on slope, location and how long the snow has been off the field.
Newville lake -11% F2
Athol - 7 & 9% F2 (two fields)
Windham Hill - 4% F2
Oxford - 23% F2
Westchester - 3% F2
Pigeon Hill (Charles Ripley field) - 7% F2
Canaan Mountain - 20% F2
Parrsboro - 0% F2
Woods Mountain - 0% F2
Swallow road - 5% F2
Spiddle Hill - 10% F2
East Mines - 11% F2
Montrose - 11% F2
Highland Village - 23% F2
Londonderry - 19% F2
Cooks Brook - 40% F2 (1 pin)
Glenmore - 16.5 % F2
Benvie Hill - 24% F2
Rawdon 30% F2
Caledonia (Wednesday) - 18% F2 (moving fast)
There is some possible wet periods approaching at the end of the weekend. With the projected temperatures, some fields will be beyond 40% F2 by Monday and if there is a significant wet period, a control may be warranted.
Farmers that have fields, in traditionally early areas, should be paying close attention to fruit bud development this weekend.
3rd Blightline update for Nova Scotia in 2015
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Despite the good weather, fruit bud development is still slow. The good news is that weather appears to be quite good until the weekend with some forecasted rain over the weekend. This should help move plants along and further speed up snow melt and dry up some fields.
Bud development for early sites are as follows:
Sable River (Shelburne county) - 20% F2
Glenmore (Halifax County) - 1% F2
Cook's Brook (early field in Halifax County) - 5% F2
Debert Area fields - 0% F2 (most buds have not yet begun to swell)
Most areas have not begun to monitor yet.
To give everyone an idea of where we were at this point last year, most sites in Central NS were reporting F2 bud development, with several sites beyond 40% F2. All of the western end of NS was beyond the 40-50% F2 stage.
Check back late on Friday afternoon for the next update.
Bud development for early sites are as follows:
Sable River (Shelburne county) - 20% F2
Glenmore (Halifax County) - 1% F2
Cook's Brook (early field in Halifax County) - 5% F2
Debert Area fields - 0% F2 (most buds have not yet begun to swell)
Most areas have not begun to monitor yet.
To give everyone an idea of where we were at this point last year, most sites in Central NS were reporting F2 bud development, with several sites beyond 40% F2. All of the western end of NS was beyond the 40-50% F2 stage.
Check back late on Friday afternoon for the next update.
Perimeter Fencing funding through homegrown success
Friday, May 1, 2015
Deadline is May 15th
See page 16 and 17 for details
http://novascotia.ca/agri/documents/programs-brm/HGS-Pgm-Guidelines2015-16.pdf
If deer and bear are a major problem on your blueberry farm this program through the Provincial government might be worth a look.
See page 16 and 17 for details
http://novascotia.ca/agri/documents/programs-brm/HGS-Pgm-Guidelines2015-16.pdf
If deer and bear are a major problem on your blueberry farm this program through the Provincial government might be worth a look.
2nd NS Blight Update 2015
Floral bud development is still moving pretty slow across the province.
Just a heads up, I am now on Twitter and will be linking these posts and other stuff to my twitter feed (@NSWildBlue) on twitter.com
The monitoring site in Sable River is still only at 8% F2
The Queens County site is at 0% F2.
Glenmore in Halifax County is essentially at 0% F2 with some bud swelling.
With the long range weather forecast approaching seasonal temperatures, it is expected that fields, that are free of snow, will develop quickly over the next week or so. I would recommend growers to begin checking their fields for fruit bud development over the next week.
I realize this is not possible for many fields that are still snow covered.
I expect we will have a wide variation in fruit bud and plant development from field to field depending on snow load, slope and exposure this year.
Remember, you should begin to consider a treatment for monilinia if 40-50% of your fruit buds are at the F2 stage and there has been or will be a significant wet period.
If you look at this photo from University of Michigan Extension, 3 of the 5 buds have reached the F2 stage. Scales have started to separate from the bud.
Just a heads up, I am now on Twitter and will be linking these posts and other stuff to my twitter feed (@NSWildBlue) on twitter.com
The monitoring site in Sable River is still only at 8% F2
The Queens County site is at 0% F2.
Glenmore in Halifax County is essentially at 0% F2 with some bud swelling.
With the long range weather forecast approaching seasonal temperatures, it is expected that fields, that are free of snow, will develop quickly over the next week or so. I would recommend growers to begin checking their fields for fruit bud development over the next week.
I realize this is not possible for many fields that are still snow covered.
I expect we will have a wide variation in fruit bud and plant development from field to field depending on snow load, slope and exposure this year.
Remember, you should begin to consider a treatment for monilinia if 40-50% of your fruit buds are at the F2 stage and there has been or will be a significant wet period.