Blueberries

Tech helps growers produce better blueberries

A marriage of technology and agronomics is helping growers harvest blueberries more efficiently. In two Washington blueberry fields, the BerrySmart project is improving production quality through existing and future technologies that could benefit the industry.... more »

UGA releases parasitic wasp to control SWD

In a quiet field of abandoned blueberries and shrubby brush in south Georgia, Cera Jones released hundreds of tiny parasitic wasps into the thicket and watched them fly away, following their natural instinct to search... more »

Naturipe blueberry volumes hit peak production

Naturipe is celebrating National Blueberry Month (July) with large volumes of blueberries available from several growing regions across North America. Blueberry volumes in Michigan, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia started their peak seasons in mid-July.... more »

Washington legislators seek end to frozen blueberry tariff

U.S. Reps. Rich Larsen and Suzan DelBene, Democrats from Washington, are asking U.S. trade officials to work on eliminating tariffs on frozen blueberries exported to Japan. In letters to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and... more »

Pest, disease controls keep Michigan blueberry growers busy

An online survey of Michigan blueberry growers confirmed the biggest challenges in 2021 involved insect control, with nearly 22% of respondents listing it as the top issue. But disease management challenges were quickly cropping up... more »

Fruit society honors Arkansas fruit breeder John Clark

Arkansas blackberry and fruit breeder John Clark has been honored for his breeding efforts. The American Pomological Society (APS) awarded Clark, distinguished professor of horticulture with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, the... more »

UGA fruit pathologist inducted into IPM Hall of Fame

The Southern Integrated Pest Management Center (Southern IPM Center) has inducted University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit pathologist Phil Brannen into the Integrated Pest Management Hall of Fame for his significant contributions to commercial fruit... more »

Florida ag industry leader Al Finch dies

UPDATED: Al Finch, president of Florida Classic Growers Inc., died June 21. He was 55. A longtime Florida ag industry leader, Gene "Al" Allison Finch, Jr., was active in the early days of the Southeast... more »