XI International Rubus and Ribes Symposium | International Society for Horticultural Science

XI International Rubus and Ribes Symposium | International Society for Horticultural Science

NARBA 2013 Pre-conference tour

In the picture above, taken at the NWREC, canes are trained in an "Arc-Cane" to the I trellis. This is the type of system that is used for their fields that are mechanically harvested. 

Last week the North American Raspberry and Blackberry Association (NARBA) held it annual meeting in Portland, OR. Prior to the meeting, Drs. Chad Finn and Bernadine Strik took 3 busloads of berry enthusiasts to the North Willamette Research and Extension Center (NWREC) and local farms.  We took a look at several research trials including an organic blackberry trial that is part of a large federally funded OREI grant, an organic blueberry trial, and Dr. Finns strawberry and caneberry breeding trials. More on the tours in a later post, for now, here are some amazing stats...

Collectively Oregon, Washington and British Columbia (Canada), produce most of the processed caneberries you eat in your jams, jellies, yougurts, ice cream and as those whole frozen berries.  Most of the raspberry production is in Washington and British Columbia, while Oregon has more blackberry production.

According to National Agricultural Statistics Service, in Oregon in 2011 there were:

1,200 acres of red raspberries, valued at $6,400,000. The majority of the production (5,000,000 lbs) was used for processing.

1,100 acres of black raspberries, valued at $5,510,000. The vast majority of this crop is also used in the processing industry.

There are 7,900 acres of blackberries, and about half (4,000 acres) are Marion(black)berries, the primary variety used for processing. The value of the blackberry crop in OR is $43,000,00.

Marionberry has been the primary blackberry used for the processing market for many years. However, the new cultivar, from Dr. Finns program, Black Diamond, is increasing in popularity.

NC Commercial Blackberry and Raspberry Growers 6th Annual Meeting

Sixth Annual NC Commercial Blackberry and Raspberry Growers Association Meeting

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Agenda:

9:45-10:15…..Registration

10:15-10:20…..Opening Remarks and Welcome. Daniel Shires, NC Cooperative Extension

10:20-10:50…..Labor Issues and E-Verify for NC Growers.  Bert Lemkes, Van Wingerden, Mills River, NC

10:50-11:35…..What YOU Need to Know about Labor Laws and Regulations. Beth Rodman; Agriculture Safety Officer; NC DOL

11:35-12:05- Caneberry Fertility. David Lockwood. University of Tennessee.

12:05-1:15…..Lunch, Trade Show, and NCCBRGA business meeting

1:15-1:35….. Caneberry Pruning Techniques. David Lockwood. University of Tennessee

1:35-2:00….Grower Panel on Pruning

2:00-2:30- Insect Update.  Hannah Burrack, Small Fruit Entomologist; NCSU; Raleigh, NC

2:30-3:00- Older Caneberry Plantings-what to do now.  Gina Fernandez; Small Fruit Specialist; NCSU; Raleigh, NC.

3:00-Adjourn

Cleveland County Extension Center

130 S Post Rd

Shelby, NC 28152

For more information contact:

Daniel Shires

Area Agent, Agriculture

daniel_shires@ncsu.edu

(704) 482-4365