sf2 organic low bush blueberries

Organic Low Bush Blueberries

Wayne Edgar

1.Goals

Describe organic management of low bush blueberries Summarize observations and learning's related to the transition to organic blueberry production Comment on marketing issues and industry dynamics

North of Nutby Farm

▣ A small mixed vegetable and low bush blueberry

farm

▣ One acre of vegetables

▣ 1250 square foot hoop house

▣ Two eight acre low bush blueberry fields

▣ Fifty acre wood lot

▣ Location: North Colchester County in the Cobequid

Hills

North American low bush blueberry yields—2013 to 2016; millions of pounds

2013 2014 2015 2016

PE 16 22 28 34

NS 37 62 65 60

NB 43 60 78 82

QC 32 77 50 110

ME 85 104 85 100

Total 233 325 306 386

More than 90% of Canadian crops is exported as IQF

Limited diversification in the industry—three processors dominate the market

Industry profile

Actual international sales—250 million pounds

2016 field price: $0.30 per pound

Factors affecting low bush blueberry yields

Site35%

Year20%

Management practices and

inputs45%

Growing organic – the Maine mantra

Burn

Sulphur; pH less than 5

Cut broad leaf plants three times each year

Growing organic – amendments

Compost teas Crab shell lobster shell

Gypsum (calcium sulphate)

Rock dusts Other approved amendments

Pollination support

1.

6.5.4.

3.2.

Growing organic – weed control or reducing the competition

Vinegar

Sulphur

Mulching

Spot Burning

Mowing, cutting & hand weeding

Growing organic – pest management

▣ Enhancing natural enemies▣ Burning▣ BT▣ Some approved sprays▣ Knowledge of field, regular trapping and

sweeps▣ Blueberry maggot fly and spotted wing

drosophila problems

HarvestingRaking, push carts, walk behind harvesters, conventional tractor mounted harvesters

Harvesting and cleaning

CleaningIndustrial cleaning lines

The results

Growing organic

Our yield was below the provincial average

Field price to the conventional grower: $0.30/lb.

Our retail price: $5.00/lb.

Net return: $1.00–$1.50/lb.

There is a market forcertified organic low bush blueberries

Economically viable and great health benefits

Our Farm in Pictures

Our Farm in Pictures

Thanks!Any questions?

You can find me atwayneledgar@gmail.com