8th Monilinia Update for Nova Scotia

Through the central part of Nova Scotia, we are rapidly approaching the end of the Monilinia season.  Flowers are starting to open and plants are popping through the ground in sprout fields.

 

Weather conditions have been very good this week for drying of apothecia cups. In many areas mature cups are drying up. Many fields in the central region do appear to be ahead of normal development.

However, fields that have just reached the 40-50% stage of development (within the last week) would still be susceptible for infection, particularly with the forecasted weather for the weekend. Mummy berries would still be producing cups and spores in late developing ground.

Growers should be starting to think about Botrytis controls and thinking about bringing in their pollinators in the next week or so.  Remember, always use caution and check with your beekeeper when spraying anything around bees. If you have to spray, spray in the evening to minimize contact with pollinators.

The risk for Botrytis is highest in coastal areas or areas that receive regular fog/wet periods. Weedy and denser canopy fields tend to be more susceptible to greater impacts from Botrytis infection. refer to the wild blueberry pest management guide for registered products http://www.perennia.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Wild-Blueberry-Pest-Guide-2018.pdf

Always check with your buyer to see what is allowable for their markets.

The next update will be late in the day on Tuesday, May 22nd.

Botrytis Update for Nova Scotia - May 30, 2017

It was certainly cold last night but I'm not sure we had a severe enough frost to do any amount of damage last night.   That being said, there could have been some pockets that did receive below zero temperatures.  Generally speaking temperatures need to be below -2 degrees C for an extended period of time to get significant damage to the flower.

Bloom is moving along nicely with good anticipated pollination weather for both today and tomorrow.  The weather forecast is calling for wet conditions Wednesday evening through Thursday. For those who have not treated for Botrytis yet, and are typically prone to botrytis infections, they should strongly consider making an application prior to the coming wet period.

If your bees are in the field, try to make the application when the bees are not flying (ie. in the evening or early morning) to minimize contact with pollinators.

I have yet to see any Botrytis symptoms showing up in the field, but we are still early in bloom.  I have seen a fair amount of Monilina infections, particularly on vegetative buds.

I will continue to make regular updates through the summer on this blog, but will make less regular updates on the blight line (662-4242) as we move through the summer.

8th Monilinia Update for Nova Scotia - May 15, 2017

All areas of mainland Nova Scotia are well past the 40% F2 stage.  We are starting to see some cups drying up across Central NS, but there is still some risk of infection, particularly in traditionally later fields and areas.  If controls have been not applied to these later fields it should be considered as last night through Tuesday evening maybe considered an infection period in your area.

Realizing it is May in Nova Scotia, the forecast looks quite good as it is calling for mainly sunny conditions after Tuesday until Monday the 22nd. If this weather pattern holds, apothecia cups will dry up in most areas and Monilinia infection risk will decrease rapidly.

Of Note: There could be some scattered rainfall events in eastern Nova Scotia over the next week - ie. Antigonish and Guysborough Counties as well as Cape Breton, so keep a close eye on your weather.

The infection risk for much of western Nova Scotia is over and growers should begin to think about Botrytis strategies in those areas.

There are still some very late fields in Cape Breton that are still very early in development and control options should still be considered over the next week or so.

Sites reporting from Cape Breton are:

Foot Cape - 35% F2 taken on Friday (over 40% as of today)
Keppoch - 4% F2 taken on Friday
Dunnigan - 10% F2  taken on Friday

We will still be monitoring cups over the next week or so, to see if we are getting close to the end of the Monilinia season.

Other Production notes:

We are also rapidly approaching pollination season, we appear to be slightly ahead of recent years so growers should be prepared as it is likely that flowers will open quickly as we approach late May.

I also noted some early shoot development on some sprout fields today. If you are planning to use Velpar, it should be done soon.  Use caution if tank mixing herbicides when shoots are emerging.

The next update will be either late in the day on Thursday or Friday morning.

5th Monilinia Update for Nova Scotia - May 5th, 2017

Fruit bud development is moving along but we are are still seeing some sporadic places that are developing slowly.  Conditions have been relatively warm for early May and wet conditions early this week have pushed plant development.

Fields that have a history of Monilinia should be monitored very closely.  If fields are beyond 40% F2, strong consideration should be given to treating those fields prior to the wet period this weekend or after the rain over the weekend (Perhaps Monday).  The long term forecast is calling for rainy conditions for most of the next week with temperatures generally above 10 degrees.  These conditions are ideal for monilina infection if the innoculum is in your field.

Below are a list of fields that have reported: Note: individual field development can vary greatly. Growers should look at their fields to determine development stage before making an application decision.

Queens - 69% F2 (Wednesday)
Sable River - 36% F2 (Wednesday)
East Kempt - 50% F2 (Wednesday) 
Victory - 48% F2 (Wednesday)

Parrsboro - behind Sargent's receiving shed - 37% F2
Parrsboro Airport - 42.8%
Diligent river - 18.7% F2
Portapique - 40% F2
Highland village - 30% F2
Londonderry - 27% F2
East Village - 20% F2
Mt. Thom - 17% F2
Earltown - 7% F2
Tatamagouche mountain - 58% F2
Spiddle Hill - 54% F2

Westchester - 39% F2 (3 nearly mature cups)
Oxford - 66% F2
Rodney - 40% F2 (1 nearly mature cup)
South Hampton - 44% F2
Fenwick - 48% F2

Glenmore - >50% F2
Benvie Hill - > 40% F2

South Hampton (Parrsboro side) - 57% F2
Neuville lake - 42% F2
Canaan Mt. High - 46% F2
Canaan Mt Lower - 44 % F2
Woods Mt. 45% F2


Pollination:
If you are still considering pollinators for this year, take a look at the beeline for potential places to source some bees. Click the link below.

http://www.perennia.ca/fieldservices/honey-bees-and-pollination/beeline/

Beeline up and running

I know many are looking to keep costs low this year, but if you are trying to produce a crop, pollination is a critical step to getting the yield you are hoping for.  As in past years, we have a beeline set-up on the Perennia website to help connect Wild blueberry growers and beekeepers from across the province. If you are still considering pollination take a peek at the link below.  We are a little over a month away from putting bees out for pollination.

http://www.perennia.ca/fieldservices/honey-bees-and-pollination/beeline/

Beeline and other musings

Well it appears we are in the dead of winter, I hope everyone is getting shoveled out ok.

I will be posting some discussion papers over the next week or so on how people might consider managing their farms in tight economic times. Each plan has to be based on your own situation.

If anyone wants to discuss options I can certainly be a sounding board for you.  My office number is 902-896-0277 and e-mail is pburgess@perennia.ca

I also wanted to let people know that our beeline has been launched again.  If you are looking for bees for pollination click on the link below and you will find a list of beekeepers willing to rent hive this year.  If any beekeeper wants to list their hives for rental, they can contact the Perennia office in Truro 902-896-0277 or get a hold of me.

Beeline page

The beeline is linked off of our Atlantic Tech Transfer Team for Apiculture page on the Perennia Website.

ATTTA (take a peak and see what is new with Robyn and Cameron)

Hope to see many of you at the upcoming meetings in March and the twilight meetings in early June.

Peter B

Reminder of Beeline

As fruit buds begin to open, you only have a few weeks left until flowers start to open.  If you don't have bees, yet take a look at the beeline for possible hive rentals.

BeeLine

Bees are one of the best insurance policies a blueberry grower can invest in.  If you have a mature field with good bud numbers, hives are a good return on investment.

Beeline up and running

For those of you who are still looking for a few hives, the beeline is up and running again this year.

http://perennia.ca/beeline.php

We have a couple of beekeepers who have listed some hives to be rented.   Keep an eye on the beeline as more beekeepers tend post as we come out of winter.

Beeline Update

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

NS Beeline is up and Running

Happy New Year everyone! 


I just wanted to drop a note to say that the beeline is up and running again for 2015.


Click here to view - http://perennia.ca/beeline.php


Blueberry growers can check this link to make connections with beekeepers and secure pollination units for 2015.


If there are any beekeepers who have extra hives to rent, simply call the number on the web link and let us know where you would like to rent your hives, how many are available and your contact info.


This is a service to help connect beekeepers and blueberry growers connect, all business arrangements are between the beekeeper and the blueberry grower.

New Lowbush Blueberry Pollination Booklet

Pollination in Lowbush Blueberry - A Summary of Research Findings from the Canadian Pollination Initiative, has just been released



Click on the link to view: Pollination in Lowbush Blueberry



This is an overview of blueberry pollination and a summary of research done through the Canpolin project. It is a well written document that helps to answer some questions for growers, but like most research also reveals more questions.

Much of this work was done through DalAC led by Dr. Chris Cutler and his team.



It is well worth a look!

Time to think about bees

We are a little over 3 months away from pollination season (although it doesn't feel like it today!!)


If you don't have pollinators lined up yet, look at our Beeline (Click here to go to beeline) and line up pollinators for this spring.


Just a reminder The CoP workshops are next week.


17th in Truro - Perennia Innovation Park (Admin Building) 6-8 pm


18th in Amherst - The Wandlyn 6-8 pm


20th in Antigonish - The Claymore Inn 6-8 pm


Note: if we have to postpone a meeting because of weather we will contact all of those registered and I will send a not on this blog.


To register call 902-896-0277

Thinking about pollination, launching the Beeline

I know it's getting close to Christmas and pollination season is a long way away, but growers should be trying to secure pollination for next growing season now!!

Winter losses are still a reality for beekeepers, but most have a pretty good idea of the minimum number that they will have available for pollination come next late May and June.

To that end we have started up our beeline early this year.  Beekeepers can phone or e-mail Perennia and we will post their contact info, the number of hives available to rent and how far they are willing to take their hives.  Blueberry growers can contact the beekeepers directly and make arrangements for pollination.

To check the current listings click on the link below.
http://www.perennia.ca/beeline.php

In the next little while I will be posting the schedule for the Cost of Production workshop series.  I am planning sessions for January in Truro, Antigonish and in Springhill or Oxford.  Stay tuned!

Beeline up and running for 2013

With the huge bloom of last year and the excellent pollination success many growers received last year demand for pollinators is growing.  So, again this year, Perennia is providing a "Beeline" based of our homepage www.perennia.ca

This is a list, that beekeepers can add their name and contact information to, by phoning our hotline number  1-866-606-4636 (toll-free).

Blueberry growers can use this list as a way to source hive rentals for their crop for the coming season.

This initiative is just another way to help beekeepers and blueberry growers connect.  All business arangements are between the beekeeper and the blueberry grower.