Blueberries
Blueberry growers plan mechanical harvester seminar
The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC) met Oct. 11-13 at Grand Rapids for their 2017 fall meetings. The USHBC since 2000 has had responsibility for market development and... more »
Michigan producers approve blueberry research program
Michigan’s blueberry producers have approved a referendum establishing a Michigan Blueberry Research & Education Program. This program will be administered by a new Michigan Blueberry Commission, which will be comprised of seven Michigan blueberry producers... more »
Learning curve steep for controlling spread of SWD
Michigan researchers are on the forefront of work being done to offset the continuing onslaught of spotted wing drosophila (SWD) on commercial blueberries. But the relative newness of the pest – and its complex behaviors... more »
ARS develops two new berries
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) geneticist Chad Finn and his colleagues at the Horticultural Crops Research Unit in Corvallis, Oregon, developed two new berry varieties - a blueberry and a blackberry - that were recently released... more »
Blueberry industry to continue research, promotion order
Highbush blueberry producers and importers have voted to continue the Blueberry Promotion, Research and Information Order. In a referendum held from July 5 to July 28, 74 percent of the producers and importers voting, and... more »
Michigan Fruit Crop Guesstimate reveals optimistic numbers
When industry representatives gathered June 22 for the 61st annual Fruit Crop Guesstimate, they came with mostly optimistic outlooks regarding the 2016 crop. Grand Rapids, Michigan, was the setting for the event, which provided an... more »
First pick marks start of Michigan blueberry harvest
Blueberry harvest is officially underway in Grand Junction, Michigan as local growers prepare for another season. To celebrate the annual “First Pick”, South Haven Mayor Bob Burr and Larry Ensfield, president/CEO of MBG Marketing, a... more »
Pioneer left his mark on the blueberry industry
The blueberry world is continuing to pay tribute to Ron Bodtke, an industry pioneer, loving husband and family man. Ron died May 14 at his home in Grand Junction, Michigan. “Ron was a noteworthy and... more »
Naturipe launches new organic blueberry packaging
Naturipe Farms has launched new packaging for its organic blueberries. “It is a natural fiber compostable recyclable organic blueberry package which is also top-sealed,” said Kayla Oberman of Naturipe Farms. The new packaging reduces the use... more »
Blueberry production expected to surpass 1.4 billion lbs.
The blueberry industry is projecting a 25 percent increase in North American production over a four-year span, growing from 750.2 million lbs. in 2015 to 940 million lbs. in 2019. North American production for 2016... more »
