Blueberry breeders are seeking grower input on breeding trait priorities. Please help them by completing the survey below by Aug. 31.

Last week Willamette Valley temperatures made it to 105°F (40.5°C) with 108°F(42°C) reported in some locations on the east side and southern Oregon.

It’s always so hard to dodge the effects of heat. While it’s not at 2021 heat dome high temperatures, it is significant all the same.

We are into late season fruit. The shift into the next plant growth cycle is happening before our very eyes.

The heatwave predicted this week has tapered off slightly in the Willamette Valley but those temperatures will still affect insects like SWD, not to mention fruit quality.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

A relatively new disease called Orange Rust has been spreading in Oregon blackberries. It is important that all blackberry growers scout for it and act if found.

Growers and field reps are reading my mind as they call asking the same question: what’s going on with Spotted Wing Drosophila this season?