Jun 3, 2011

Blueberry meetings cover post bloom management of pests and fields

Michigan State University Extension has scheduled a series of meetings for blueberry growers in June. A pair of post bloom meetings begins next week on Thursday June 9. The same meeting will repeat in both Van Buren and Ottawa counties. The first is meeting is at True Blue Farms south of Grand Junction on June 9 from 5 to 8 PM. The second meeting will be in Ottawa County on June 16. The site for the Ottawa county meeting has not been finalized. A weed control demonstration meeting is planned for the evening of June 28.

There is a $10 charge for these meetings, which includes dinner and handout materials. Growers need to call the MSU Extension office in the county hosting the meeting so that meal arrangements can be made. For the Van Buren County meeting at True Blue Farms, call or email Mark Longstroth ([email protected]) at the Van Buren County Extension office at (269) 657-8213 ([email protected]). For the Ottawa County meeting, please RSVP by contacting Judy Hansen (616) 994-4548 or ([email protected]).
The Blueberry IPM meetings scheduled in Van Buren and Ottawa counties feature Dr. Annemiek Schilder and Dr. Rufus Isaacs. Dr. Schilder will focus on disease control after bloom and though harvest, including mid-season disease control, fruit rots, canker diseases and virus diseases, as well as effective fungicide use. Dr. Isaacs talk will focus on insect control, including fruitworms, blueberry maggot, an update on spotted wing drosophila and effective insecticide use. In addition Carlos Garcia and Mark Longstroth, Extension Educators in Blueberries will be on availble to discuss other topics about the 2011 Michigan blueberry crop.

There is also weed control demonstration scheduled for Tuesday June 28 in the evening, at the Bocock farm at 6906 103rd Ave, north of South Haven. There is no charge and no meal at this meeting which will start at 7 PM. Eric Hanson will discuss herbicide treatments that were set out this spring to demonstrate the effectiveness of herbicides registered for use in blueberries.