Like the weather, insect populations have been strangethis year. Lygus bugshave been found in beneficial habitats and strawberry fields as early as April

There isn’t one Oregon grower that is anywhere near happy with their strawberry yields or fruit size of any variety other than the unnamed selection ORUS 2678-1.

Guest commentary by Chakradhar Mattupalli and Lisa DeVetter, WSU regarding the Liberty blueberry dieback symptoms.

We’ve just found our first SWD larvae in Kotata blackberry fruit. This field had consistently high adult trap catches for weeks prior to the larvae infestation and was in a hot spot location.

Why does it feel like harvest creeps up, even on delayed years like this? This week is heavy with overlapping strawberry, blueberry, and raspberry harvests.

My youngest daughter tagged along for a quick farm visit last week because holiday childcare was inconsistent.

Fruit is coming off, and preliminary reports are that strawberry yields are about average. It’s too early to tell for other fruits but blueberries..

You may or may not have seen the ISHS Rubus and Ribes Symposium touring around NW Washington and Oregon Willamette Valley over the last couple days.

How about this weather?! I’ve been holding on to my cold/wind/snow/freezing rain weather report when talking to my Central Canadian family, because I just can’t compete with the freezing temps happening there.

Many growers have just worked through certifying their farms for food safety practices. It’s an additional cost of having to do business.

Insect dynamics/pressures adjust each year. For example, thus far I’ve been hearing mostly positive things about SWD pressure this season

After 3 days above 90°F/ 32°C, the PNW is in an official heatwave. Please use any and all cooling methods to keep your crop in the best condition for harvest post-heat.