sf2 organic low bush blueberries
TRANSCRIPT
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
