The Small Fruit Update

I thought it would be important to notify folks on the changes happening at the local USDA-ARS. At least four berry related scientists and numerous administrative and maintenance support staff are no longer with the organization

Let’s talk hive strength. After hearing some overwintering concerns in hives this year with many colonies appearing weaker than normal, it’s important to keep a closer eye on bee activity.

Meetings and field work collide. We’ve got bees going into Eastern Washington and Southern Oregon fields. Word on the street is that honeybees didn’t overwinter so well this year.

Blueberry virus surveillance initiatives are in full swing. British Columbia has maintained a longstanding surveillance program supported by the BC Blueberry Council.

Everyday there seems to be some new and significant development in the off-and-on tariff tiff between Canada and the United States. By the time this reaches you, about a day after its writing, there may well have been another sea change in the…

As you determine what your farm needs are for this year, keep in mind that NBF has various field services that might help your operation and/or reduce field management costs.

First, we’ve been fortunate enough to have our Blueberry/Strawberry breeder position reinstated last week. Thanks to everyone that played a role in advocating to keep that position.

More so than most SFU editorials, this one feels particularly heavy and I would ask you to read through it as the information is extremely important to the health and future of our industry.

I’m in the communication business so I know how tricky it can be to communicate about different levels of agriculture. I knew it would take all of 5 minutes of me being at the Lower Mainland Horticultural Conference in BC before I was asked about the tariff concerns.