Hurricane Fiona Support

Hurricane Fiona Support

Hello everyone,

I want to provide some updated information about programs to support Nova Scotians who have been impacted by hurricane Fiona. Hopefully, you don’t need them! Those programs cover support for individuals, small businesses and non-profits, and agriculture and forestry.

Please visit this link to get the information: https://novascotia.ca/hurricane-fiona-support/.

Programs to highlight:

1.       Farm Emergency Response Grant Program

 

A one-time grant of $2,500 is being sent to registered farms in Central, Northern and Eastern Nova Scotia that experienced financial losses due to infrastructure or crop damage, livestock loss or extended power outages due to the hurricane. Funding from the $4-million Farm Emergency Response Grant Program is also available to registered farmers who experienced storm damage outside the most impacted regions. For more information, please contact the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture’s Programs Branch at 1-866-844-4276.

If you are a producer outside of the designated impacted regions of Hants, Halifax, Pictou, Cumberland, Colchester, Guysborough, Antigonish and Cape Breton, and suffered direct damage from Hurricane Fiona, please contact Robin Mahoney with Programs at 1-866-844-4276.

If you are an unregistered farm in the impacted areas, please contact Robin Mahoney at 1-866-844-4276.

2.       On-Farm Electrical Interruption Program

 https://novascotia.ca/programs/on-farm-electrical-interruption-assistance/

This program is providing $500,000 in federal and provincial funding through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership to offset costs to farm owners who installed a backup generator immediately before hurricane Fiona or during the extended power outages the storm caused. The program can over up to 100 per cent of the cost of purchasing and installing a generator for on-farm use. The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a $3 billion, five-yar (2018-2023) investment by federal, provincial, and territorial governments to strengthen and grow Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector.

 

Additionally, there was the following announcement related to additional funding whose details have not yet been finalized:

Provincial Fiona Agricultural Program

Government is providing $6 million through the Provincial Fiona Agricultural Program to cover extraordinary operational costs experienced because of the storm. A simplified application process will be announced soon to ensure funding is dispersed quickly. Additional funding will also be available in the weeks and months ahead to help farmers with rebuilding costs that are not covered by other programs. An email will be sent out regarding this program once guidelines have been finalized, if you are interested in learning more about this program, please contact your local regional office to indicate as such.

Also, the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture (NSFA) has a new website page just for Fiona, please visit this link to search for useful information for your purposes: https://nsfa-fane.ca/fiona/.

If I have more updates, I will communicate with you.

 

Take care,

Hugh

Pesticide Shortage Updates

 Pesticide Shortage Updates

 

Hi everyone,

I want to provide a quick update about the pesticide shortage issue, especially for herbicides as the industry is in a critical time for fall weed management.  I am sure most of you realize the issue of the shortage of some key herbicides in the market right now, which can be stressful and are likely to distract your regular weed management program and other farming activities.

I am sure the questions you will ask are: “why don’t they have those products? Why can’t they make more right away?”. Simply because the company doesn’t have sufficient raw materials to make those products! A lot of raw materials are produced outside of Canada and there are many reasons why those raw materials can not be produced and shipped to manufacturers on time to meet the demand (you all know the reasons why, and this is not the discussion point for today).

The purpose of this post is to provide some updates on some key products we use in wild blueberries and some tips to help address this issue.

 

Updates on Products

*Things can change quickly so please still check with your retailer to know the most up-to-date information about the products you need!

 

Herbicides:

·       Ignite, Chateau, Kerb and Venture are four products which are completely out this fall. There are chances they will be back next spring, but we don’t know that for sure! Please contact your retailer and make your orders as needed!

·       Sinbar is out

·       Chikara is in good supply

·       Callisto is available

·       Poast Ultra is available (an alternative product of Venture)

·       Option is available

 

Fungicides:

The industry doesn’t need fungicides until next spring and fungicides are in a better situation than herbicides. A simple reason for that is that herbicides require more different kinds of raw materials to formulate the final products. However, we still encourage you to plan and make orders with your retailer as needed.

Quick tips

Here are a couple of quick tips to help growers. Those tips are not going to be as effective as chemicals, but sometimes, they might and could save you some money!

·       Scouting your fields and understanding your weed composition. This information will help you to make a better weed management program. You have your regular spraying program each time, but the lack of some regular products you used in the past could cause panic. We don’t want you to feel you absolutely need a product just because you use it before! A good example is Kerb. Do you really need it? Can you use other alternative products?

 

·       I also encourage you to read Perennia’s Pest Management Guide where we list all available pesticides for the wild blueberry industry. The list can give you some alternative products to use: https://www.perennia.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Wild-Blueberry-Pest-Guide-2022_FINAL.pdf.

 

·       Proactive planning and frequent communication with ag retail sales staff will be critical. Call your retailer to get updates on the products you need! They are the best person to contact and growers working closely with their ag retailer continue to be the way that the available supply can be where it needs to be when it needs to be there! If you are being as precise on quantities as you can be, then this is important so the product can be allocated and supplied appropriately! Sometimes you might be lucky as someone might return a couple of jars to the store but that’s not always the case! Especially for spring management (diseases and weeds), we are also going fight with unknown spring weather and disease pressure. So please plan, know what you need and contact your retailer and let them know how many you need!

 

·       Lastly, we are here to help you! If you need me to go to your fields and help you identify the pest issues so you know better what to order, I am happy to do so. Contact me if you need it before it is too late! Hugh Lyu, Wild Blueberry Specialist, hlyu@perennia.ca; 902-890-0472.

 

Have a great weekend!

Hugh

 

 

 

 Fall Reminders and Updates

Happy Fall, everyone! Although I have been talking to some individuals, it has been a while since I communicate with all of you through a blog post. In this post, I will share some updates and reminders:

Weather stations and soil temperatures

Fall mowing& weed management and chemical shortage

WBPANS AGM

 

Weather stations and soil temperatures

Weather stations: Perennia is starting to install new weather stations for the second-round successful applicants (Click on this link to know what the weather station assistance program is?). As of today, there are in total of 32 stations in wild blueberry fields: 8 in Colchester, 8 in Cumberland, 9 in Pictou, 4 in the South Shore Counties and 3 in Cape Breton). I encourage you to look and know where those stations are and start to use the data to assist your management. There are two easy ways to access those data:

1.       Perennia Wild Blueberry Blog Weather Page

2.       Cape Breton Mesonet

We are expecting more stations to be installed before the year ends, I will send another update and reminder before the next production season starts.

Soil temperatures: some stations have soil temperature sensors where daily high and low soil temperatures are reported to help with management, especially herbicide application in the fall, Kerb for instance. If you need to apply Kerb this fall, it is worthwhile to understand your local soil temperature and make the application at the appropriate time. Again, to access soil temperature data, growers can visit Perennia Wild Blueberry Blog Weather Page where I update soil temperatures from available stations regularly. As of today, most stations and fields we monitor are getting low soil temperatures (around 10 degree Celsius).

 

Fall mowing& weed management and chemical shortage

Fall mowing: It is recommended growers wait until after the first hard frost in the fall to mow their crop fields. Many of you understand and know how to conduct this task, but if you are new to this and want to learn more about wild blueberry pruning, here is a good factsheet to read: https://cdn.dal.ca/content/dam/dalhousie/images/sites/wild-blueberry/pdfs/Pruning%20Wild%20Blueberries.pdf.

Fall weed management: besides mowing in the fall, another big task to do for growers is weed management. I wrote an article about fall weed management and it covers some common questions asked by growers. I encourage you to read this article: https://www.atlanticfarmfocus.ca/farm-focus-august-2022/2022/10/5/fall-is-a-good-time-to-manage-weeds-in-wild-blueberry-fields.

Fall herbicides commonly used by growers include Chateau (moss control), Ignite, Casoron G-4 (control grasses and tough perennial weeds), Kerb SC (hair fescue control), Spartan, Chikara etc.

A special note for Kerb (I hope all of you know this already!). It is recommended to apply Kerb when soil temperatures are below 10 degrees Celsius, and the ground shouldn't be frozen when Kerb is applied.

Chemical shortage:

We are experiencing a chemical shortage due to some known reasons. I can’t help with the supply chain issue but I am certainly up to help you to build your fall and next spring weed management program. Some good tips and questions to ask yourself while we are waiting for things to get normal:

1.       It is important to understand the weed composition of your fields which requires scouting and proper weed identification.

2.       Do I really need Kerb or other herbicides? Applying kerb is becoming a common strategy for many growers, but do you really need it or other cheaper and alternative chemicals can be used in the fall or at a different time (next spring)?

3.       Put thoughts for next spring!  Make your weed management program and make orders for those chemicals.

4.       If you are not sure, please feel free to give Hugh a text or call and I am happy to visit your fields and help you to determine what is the suitable weed management for your farms.

 

WBPANS AGM

 

Last but not least, AGM!

Most of you would receive an email from WBPANS regarding this year’s AGM. Here are some details posted by the association.

 

The Annual Meeting of the Wild Blueberry Producers Association of Nova Scotia will be held on November 17 and 18 at the Best Western Glengarry Hotel & Convention Centre in Truro. 

 

For the first time since 2019, we are returning to a full AGM program including a trade show! 

 

Thursday, November 17 will see focused discussions in the morning followed by our business meeting in the afternoon. A reception to honour our Recognition Award Recipients will be held Thursday evening. Friday, November 18 will be technical sessions with researchers and experts.

 

A block of rooms has been set aside at the Best Western Glengarry Hotel in Truro, please give them a call to book your room: 902-893-4311.

 

Lunch will be provided both days so PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED by calling the office at 902-662-3306 or emailing info@nswildblueberries.com

 

Businesses wishing to discuss sponsorship opportunities can give Peter or Janet a call at 902-662-3306.

 

Stay tuned for more details!

 

WBPANS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING November 18 & 19, 2021

The below message is about this year's AGM. Please review and register if you are planning to attend the meetings. 

Preparations are well underway for our Annual General Meeting. This year our AGM will be taking place both in-person at the Best Western Glengarry Hotel & Convention Centre, 150 Willow Street, Truro, and online via Zoom Conferencing. We will be monitoring and making adjustments to our plan as required, in order to follow Public Health guidelines.

 

Currently our plans require all participants to PRE-REGISTER IS REQUIRED FOR BOTH IN-PERSON and ZOOM meeting, by calling WBPANS office at 902-662-3306 or emailing: info@nswildblueberries.com Maximum capacity is 150 people for the in-person meeting, and only those pre-registered will be admitted. All attendees must show proof of full vaccination upon entering the Best Western Glengarry facility and masks must be worn until you are seated in the meeting room.

 

Thursday, November 18, 2021 - 2:30 pm - 5:00 pm will be the Annual Business Meeting -150 people maximum capacity at the in-person meeting and you can join via Zoom. Pre-Registration is required!

 

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Reception to honour our Recognition Award inductees (90 people maximum capacity at this in-person event. Pre-registration is required!

 

Friday, November 19, 2021 - 8:30 am - 2:45 pm - Technical Sessions will be held with wild blueberry researchers and industry contacts. 150 people maximum capacity at these sessions or you may join via Zoom. Pesticide points will be awarded to both in-person and on-line attendees.

Pre-Registration is required!

 

Stay tuned for more details as they become available.

Perennia's Annual General Meeting_ June 24 at 2 PM

 

Join us on Thursday, June 24 at 2:00 PM for Perennia's 2020/2021 Virtual Annual General Meeting! Registration is required. http://ow.ly/jjRW50F9NNZ

Let’s put our irrigation to work!

 

Hello,

As we wrapped up this winter’s Getting into the Weeds seminar series, we want to thank you for attending our sessions.

As the season quickly moves along, we wanted to remind you to reference the irrigation information we shared with you over the winter.  You learned about everything from the water-soil relationship to the basics of setting up an irrigation system and how irrigation can influence crop disease development.

So as you are setting out that irrigation pipe or considering your irrigation plan for this year, go back and check out these helpful videos available at Perennia’s YouTube channel. You can also reach out to one of our many crop specialists for advice on your water management.

Have a great season!

WBPANS AGM& Technical Sessions Reminder

WBPANS AGM& Technical sessions are fast approaching; this is a reminder to register for the sessions you wish to attend.  
  
All participants must register with the WBPANS office to attend the AGM & Technical Sessions. All sessions will be held virtually via Zoom Conferencing. A link and meeting documents will be sent to registered participants before each session. 
  
In order to be eligible to receive the pesticide recertification points for the Technical sessions, you must be logged on at the start of the meeting and remain logged on for the entire meeting. Receipts will be emailed to those in attendance. 
  
Please register by contacting the WBPANS office at 9026623306 or info@nswildblueberries.com  
  
Business Meeting: 
November 19th Annual Business Meeting - 2:30 pm - 5:00 pm 
  
Technical Sessions: 
November 17th - Dr. Scott White - 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm (1 point available)  
November 23rd - Dr. Travis Esau - 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm 
November 24th - Dr. David Percival - 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm (1 point available) 
 
Thank you!  

Pesticide course

FYI:

Marbicon is again offering pesticide training for people preparing for the provincial exam or needing continuing education points. Revised this year, the course is a streamlined one-day in-person event (9:00-5:00). Because seating is limited due to the Covid spacing requirements, only 20 people may attend on any single day. Wear a mask. Lunch & snacks on your own.

The currently confirmed schedule at this time:

Monday Nov 23 – Berwick Fire Hall (300 Commercial St, Berwick).

Tuesday Nov 24 – Berwick Fire Hall.

Thursday Nov 26 – Colchester Legion Stadium (14 Lorne St, Truro).

Friday Nov 27 – Colchester Legion Stadium.

Cape Breton - TBA, possibly during the week of Nov 30.

Additional courses and locations will be set up if there is sufficient demand.

 

Contact Jim Jotcham at marbicon@eastlink.ca or call 902-538-7101 to pre-register or to enquire about other venues. YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER TO ATTEND. Seating is limited.

 

The fee is $100, payable by cash, cheque, or email / money transfer.  Includes HST and course manual.

 

Certified applicators will earn 5 points (T-1901). Bring your card.

 

The provincial exam is NOT included. Contact your local NS Environment office for information regarding certification procedures. You do not require a course before writing the exam, but it may help. The provincial manuals are free online (download PDF from the NSE website).

Thank you! 

Hugh Lyu

Wild Blueberry Specialist, Perennia

 

2018 growing season fast approaching

Well it's been a while since I've made a post, but the start of the season is closer than many of us want to think. 

Next Saturday, March 24th, is the WBPANS winter meeting in Truro.  I will be giving a talk on Triaging Wild blueberry fields.  It will be a discussion on things to considered when deciding what to do with some of your more marginal fields.  I have also written a factsheet that goes along with that talk.  http://www.perennia.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Triaging-WBB-Fields.pdf

Also, I did a demo trial, looking at canopy penetration of using different spray nozzles, spray volumes and boom heights.  I will have the factsheet at the winter meeting but it is also on-line to look at. http://www.perennia.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Spray-coverage-demo-in-WBB.pdf

Essentially, the higher the boom, the less canopy penetration you get and the less consistent coverage you get in general.  Something to consider when setting up your sprayers for this season.

Hope to see everyone on Saturday.

Mid fall Check-in

We're half way through October, and have had frost in various parts of the province (although not today - feels almost tropical).


Mowing - Many people ask when they should start mowing.  For me there is no huge rush.  If the plant still has green leaves, it is still photosynthesizing and putting resources into the rhyzomes. This is a good thing.  The greener the plant is the harder it is to mow, which can add fuel costs.  Hardened off plants tend to mow cleaner as well.  However, I do not like spring mowing, and feel that it should be all completed in the fall if at all possible.  Spring mowing can work fine, but it introduces weather and soil moisture variables that can make life very difficult for the grower.


Just a reminder if you are planning to use Chateau, do so only after mowing and preferably a week or two after mowing.


It is still too early for Kerb at this point.  The weather we have had, has not allowed soil temperatures to drop low enough to ensure you won't lose effectiveness of the herbicide.  I think it is a good idea to wait until we get into November before thinking about Kerb applications.
Also, University of Maine Cooperative Extension has put together a 2nd edition of "A pocket Guide to IPM scouting of Wild Blueberries". Click here Pocket IPM scouting guide This is a really great resource for all wild blueberry growers.

WBPANS Twilight Meetings

Just a reminder of the upcoming twilight meetings around the province.  We had a successful meeting in East Kempt last Thursday and will be having sessions in Debert (WBPANS office) today June 4th, East river St. Mary's (John Cameron's Shed) tomorrow and Parrsboro (Art Sargent's Shed) on Thursday.

Each session has a field walk through starting at 3:30

The twilight meetings start at 6:30

Bring your pests for identification and management questions.  There will be a wide range of researchers, extension personnel and experienced growers to talk to and exchange ideas.

Welcome to the Nova Scotia Lowbush Blueberry Blog

I will be posting observations and updates on this blog throughout the year. Monilinia blight updates, crop stage development, new factsheets and new product registrations will all be posted here. Check back often and stay up to date.

Have a great growing season!