The Blueberry News Fall 2021 by Central Florida Media Group

ipation and excitement, Jollibee, the largest Asian restaurant company, is now open in Jacksonville. This is the 36th store in the US, as well as the first in the state and Southeast US. It opened to the public on March 18, 2017. Jacksonville is the most populous city in the Sunshine State, as well as home to the largest FilipinoAmerican community in Florida. The longawaited arrival of Jollibee in the city has

With the opening, Floridians will get to try Jollibee's signature menu items such as the world famous Chickenjoy. This dish is delicately breaded to be crispylicious on the outside and juicylicious inside. The well-loved Jolly Spaghetti is a favorite of both kids and kids-at-heart because of its signature sweetstyle sauce, loaded with chunky slices of savory ham, ground meat, and hotdog. Other classic menu favorites include the juicy and cheesy Jolly Hotdog, and the Peach Mango Pie, which is made with real Philippine sweet mangoes and a flaky golden brown crust.

anticipate seeing not only a multitude of excited Jollibee patrons waiting to get their hands on their Jollibee favorites, but also first-timers waiting to have their own Jollibee experience," said Jose Miñana, Jollibee Foods Corporation's Group President for North America. "There's no greater joy for us than serving the needs and tastes of Jollibee fans in the community. At Jollibee, we aim to bring families together for happy moments over great tasting food with superior value, served with warm and friendly service – our own brand of joy." The brand has become a symbol of nostalgia and warm childhood memories for many overseas Filipinos in the U.S. To many, Jollibee is the go-to restaurant of Filipinos for both special

ARE YOU IN THE KNOW?

Advisory System Can Help Fight Anthracnose Fruit Rot

MECHANICAL HARVESTING

FBGA President Shares Lessons, Considerations

HYDROGEN CYANAMIDE

Evaluating Its Effect On Various Cultivars

FloridaBlueberryGrowers.org See JOLLIBEE page 15

volume 11 | issue 1 | fall 2021 THE ENDORSED PUBLICATION OF THE FLORIDA BLUEBERRY GROWERS ASSOCIATION

SEASONS OF CHANGE

Fall, Winter Deceptively Important in Florida Fields

FALL WINTER PREP edition

Speakers and Presentations Planned for October 14

FALL SHORT COURSE LINEUP

PAID

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE

www.FloridaBlueberryGrowers.org

The Blueberry News | 1

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26 ARE YOU IN THE KNOW?

FALL SHORT COURSE LINEUP FloridaBlueberryGrowers.org

4 Executive Director's Letter 6 President's Letter 10 Grower 411 11 Topic of the Season 20 Publisher's Interlude 21 Grower's Thoughts 13

FLORID A EDIT ION

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of the town since 2016 get to the opening, . try Jollib Flori items "As Jollib ee's sign dians will such ee debu atur anticipa ts in Flor Chickenj as the worl e menu te seein ida, we oy. tude of d famo g not only a excited brea ded This dish is delic us multiJollibee ing to get to be ately patrons on the favorites their hands on wait outside cris pyli ciou , their Jollib s inside. and juicy to have but also firstee The well licious time Spaghetti ence," their own Jollib rs waiting is a favo -loved Jolly said Jose ee rite of both and kids Foods Miñana, experiCorp kids -at-heart Jollibee for Nort oration's Grou of its because sign p Presiden greater h America. style sauc ature sweett "There's joy for e, needs us no chunky loaded with and taste than serv slices of the com s of Jollib ing the savo ham, grou munity. ry bring At Jollib ee fans in fami and hotd nd meat, ee, moments lies together we aim to og. Othe classic r superior over great tasti for happy menu favorites ng food and frien value, served include with juicy dly serv with warm and cheethe of joy." ice – our Jolly Hot sy own bran dog , The bran the Peac d h Man and nostalgia d has beco which go Pie, me is mad ories for and warm child a symbol of e with Philippin real the U.S. many overseas hood memgoes and e sweet man To a flaky restauran many, Jollib Filipinos in brown golden ee is the crust. t of Filip go-to inos for both spec See JOL ial

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Beautiful rows of blueberry bushes line Florida Blue Farms, based in Waldo. With the onset of the fall and winter seasons, many changes are taking place in blueberry fields, including physiological changes in the plants and management changes in fertilization and irrigation practices.

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11 | issue

MECHA HARV NICAL ESTIN FBGA G

HYDR CYAN OGEN Evalua AMIDE ting

Its Eff ect Cultiv ars

ARE YO THE KN U IN

OW? Advis ory Sy stem Fight Ca Anthr acnose n Help Fruit Ro t

Presid en Lesson s, Consi t Shares derat ions

LIBEE page 15

1 | fall 2021

r Decep rtant tively in Flo rida Fie lds

THE FLOR IDA BLUETHE ENDORS ED BERRY GROWERPUBLICATION S ASSOCIA OF TION

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FALL WINTER PREP FALL COURSHORT Speake SE LINEU rs and P

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berry Grow TheaBlue Blue ers.or berr y New g s

21 Grower's Thoughts 26 Seasonal Challenges 30 Angle Letter 33 Classifieds 34 Who's Who

PAGE 36

Grower s.org

www. Florid

CYANAMIDE’S 28 HYDROGEN EFFECT ON VARIOUS Anthracnose fruit rot is a fungal disease that affects southern highbush blueberries in Florida. It is caused by the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and is highly dependent on favorable weather conditions. Control of this disease is primarily achieved through spray application of suggested fungicides, with many Florida growers using a calendar-based spray program. The Blueberry Advisory System signals Florida blueberry growers when environmental conditions are favorable for the development of AFR.

Meet Brandon White, New Commercial Fruit Crop Agent for Lake, Orange Counties! PAGE 34

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President of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council Kasey Cronquist

DEMAND AND CONSUMPTION

shares the organization’s five-year plan to address how it will invest funding to fuel continued growth of blueberry demand and consumption. It updates several key sections, including a shift from four strategic pillars to five: integrated marketing communications; health and nutrition; industry services; global business development; and innovation and technology.

CULTIVARS

Southern highbush blueberry cultivars require a period of chilling at temperatures around 45°F for proper dormancy release. Hydrogen cyanamide is used to mitigate the negative effects of insufficient chill accumulation. Since cultivars vary in their sensitivity and response to HC, it is important to evaluate each new cultivar to determine HC tolerance, potential benefits, and if it is a good candidate for HC use.

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The Blueberry News | 3

executive director’s letter

The United Blueberry Taskforce: Adopting a Collaborative Approach to Industry Growth AS A FLORIDA BLUEBERRY GROWER, I have experienced firsthand the pressures of global competition on my business. As consumer demand for blueberries has grown, domestic and global production has also greatly expanded to meet the needs of what has become a yearround market here in the United States. My desire to address the many challenges our family business faces in this global marketplace is what drove me to participate as a member of the United Blueberry Task Force (UBTF). The UBTF is a recently formed group of domestic and global growers and marketers dedicated to supporting the future success of U.S. blueberry growers and the industry as a whole, both in the immediate future and for years to come. I am honored to participate in the UBTF as a representative voice for U.S. growers and to be able to share an update on our progress. As background, our own Floridian Ken Patterson, chair of the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), established the UBTF in March of this year. With industry leaders from every major domestic and international blueberry growing region, the UBTF is wellpositioned to facilitate cross-industry input to proactive strategies for sourcing and allocating industry funds and resources that avoid issues and effectively leverage growth opportunities. With the UBTF, the blueberry industry is setting a new benchmark for collaboration and cooperation in a global marketplace. It has been remarkable to see the effort come together. It’s also an important one, in the wake of the USTR 201 investigation. The UBTF gives us a forum to work together, moving beyond the past challenges and focusing on the future and working together to seize the opportunities to drive demand. The UBTF now is laying the foundation to build new programs that will expedite future demand and growth. We’re focusing on opportunities to grow blueberry demand and consumption across the grocery, foodservice, export and food ingredient channels. We’ve established several strategic priorities to guide our efforts. • More targeted promotions and marketing: Build more efficient and effective programs based on market segmentation that leverages blueberries’ taste, health, convenience and lifestyle benefits. continued on page 29 4 | The Blueberry News

www.FloridaBlueberryGrowers.com PUBLISHER

Nelson Kirkland MANAGING EDITOR

Jessica McDonald DIGITAL ACCOUNT MANAGER

Alexis Duncan ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Juanita Halter LIAISON EDITORS

Brittany H. Lee, Doug Phillips, Jeff Williamson CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Doug Phillips, Jeff Williamson, J. Scott Angle, Paul Catala, Kasey Cronquist, Jacob Buck, Gerardo Nunez, Natalia Peres, Brandon White CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS

Dawn Lewandowski DELIVERY

DLS Distributors

Published by Central Florida Media Group in cooperation with the Florida Blueberry Growers Association

56 Fourth Street Northwest, Suite 100 Winter Haven, Florida PHONE 863.248.7537

Copyright © 2021 Central Florida Media Group. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This issue of The Blueberry News is a trademark of Central Florida Media Group. Reproduction or use in whole or in part of the contents of this magazine without written permission is prohibited. The Blueberry News makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of content published. In the event of an error found herein however, neither the publishers or advertisers will be held responsible, nor do the publishers accept any liability for the accuracy of statements made by advertisers in advertising and promotional materials. Furthermore, the opinions and claims expressed in advertisements and promotional materials do not necessarily reflect those of the Florida Blueberry Growers Association or Central Florida Media Group and do not imply an endorsement.

FloridaBlueberryGrowers.org

The Blueberry News | 5

president’s letter

P.O. BOX 358086 Gainesville, FL 32635 352-448-1418 OFFICERS Brittany Lee, Executive Director fbga.ed@gmail.com

Leonard Park, President

president.fbga@gmail.com

Jerod Gross, Vice President fbga.vp@gmail.com

Michael Hill, Secretary

michael@handafarms.com

Bobby Barben, Treasurer rhbjr@barbenfruit.com

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Wayne Bass Jerod Gross Phil Harmon Gary Smith Kyle Straughn Jeff Williamson Doug Phillips Travis Kuhn

6 | The Blueberry News

So You Want to Mechanical Harvest?

he first thing to do is ask yourself: Is it a tactical or strategic decision? For many growers machine harvesting can be a useful tactic to extend the season or do final cleanup after the pick crew moves on. It’s an ideal way to evaluate whether it might fit into your long-term plans. As a strategy, where most or all of the fruit is to be machine-harvested, you need to make a serious commitment to plan all the details then devote considerable resources to build the enabling farm infrastructure.

For our farm it was a strategic decision. From our start in 2014, we made the financial and management commitment to design and construct the Frogmore Fresh Farm to maximize the likelihood of successfully harvesting by machine. Here are some of the key attributes we did our best to incorporate into the farm before we drilled our first well. • Variety selection was paramount. Although there is no Holy Grail variety as of yet, a few current ones are quite good and some more are workable. • Bed design and construction with at least 10-foot row spacing was a must. Every row must be GPS straight and placement of all above-ground irrigation must accommodate machine requirements. • Bush training with cartons, canes and pruning started with the planting process. • Harvester selection was a critical decision. Picking performance, safety, logistical productivity, reliability, service and parts were just some of the key criteria. • Perseverance and patience were as important as any attribute to keep us on course to create a maturing machinable farm. Even the best machine-capable farm faces a myriad of challenges. We’ve learned a lot along the way and are constantly adapting our processes to overcome unforeseen problems or mistakes. Some challenges we have encountered: • Up to now, the biggest challenge is we do not 100% machine harvest. As a result, we must manage interleaving hand and machine picking. Besides the logistical complexity of two systems, it is a human relations sticky wicket with hand pickers naturally motivated to compete with the machines. • We have to accept the large loss of fruit we toiled all year to bring to harvest… either left on the ground or the bush, or graded into the dumpster at the pack shed. It is an intellectual exercise to commit to machine harvesting, but we believe as we press ahead and constantly improve our processes we will greatly reduce this negative. • Machining is not as agile as hand picking in response to inclement weather or crop changes during harvest. It’s harder to recover from rain events that swell fruit and President cause splits if picking by machine. Florida Blueberry Growers Association continued on page 38

Leonard Park

FloridaBlueberryGrowers.org

INNOVATION INNOVATION SINCE 1908 SINCE 1908

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US HB C upda te

Fueling Blueberry Demand and Consumption: USHBC’s 2021-25 Strategic Plan New Five-Year Plan Sets the Course to Make Blueberries the World’s Favorite Fruit

s president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC), it was a pleasure to present our organization’s strategic plan for 2021-2025 at the 2021 Fall Meeting. It’s truly amazing to work with people across the industry and see how quickly blueberries have been elevated from the rest of the berry patch. Blueberries are now a beloved treat and a worldwide symbol of wellness – and together, we can keep the momentum going. Give those boosts of blue, if you will. USHBC was established in 2000 as an official research and promotion program overseen by USDA’s AMS division. It is governed by a 20-member board that periodically adopts strategic plans to guide short and long-term budget and program decisions. In the last 20 years, USHBC has driven demand for blueberries through comprehensive consumer promotional efforts and programming in retail, foodservice, export and food manufacturing. The impact has been significant. In 2019, for example, 49% of U.S. households purchased blueberries — a 25% increase in annual household penetration over the previous six years. Blueberries are now on one in four menus, with 93% more restaurants offering blueberries than in 2005. And 76% of food manufacturer respondents reported using blueberries in their company’s manufactured products — higher than any other berry. We’ve accomplished a great deal, and we’re excited about what’s next. Currently, USHBC collects approximately $10M in assessment dollars from growers and importers of record annually, and the 20212025 strategic plan addresses how we will invest that funding to fuel continued growth of blueberry demand and consumption. You can read the strategic plan on ushbc.

8 | The Blueberry News

blueberry.org, but I do want to highlight our at the heart of the blueberry industry. refreshed vision and mission here. Ultimately, the strategic plan charts our Our mission clarifies USHBC’s reason future. It implements a unifying strategy to for existing: To grow consumer demand for ensure we continue our rapid growth — which blueberries by uniting industry stakeholders is crucial, as USHBC is the only organization through research, promotions and resources completely focused on growing the volume that strengthen their ability to compete in the of blueberries sold in the U.S. and around global marketplace. the world. The strategic plan outlines how Our vision represents the aspirational we’re going to grow the size of the category change that will result from our work: through continued investments in consumer USHBC empowers the industry to make marketing, health-benefit research, public blueberries the world’s favorite fruit. relations, access to new global export markets That really is the crux of everything and the cultivation of year-round supply. we do, and the rest of the strategic plan is And, importantly, the strategic plan dedicated to how we’re going to get there. It reinforces our commitment to centering you, updates several key sections, including a shift the growers, in everything we do. Together, from four strategic pillars to five: integrated we can achieve our goals and support marketing communications; health and continued growth in blueberry demand and nutrition; industry services; global business consumption, making a boost of blue a mustdevelopment; and innovation and technology. have on shopping lists around the world. The plan also includes expanded, measurable ______ CREDIT programmatic goals for each pillar as well as strategies and tactics to support the by KASEY CRONQUIST, President, U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council achievement of these goals. and North American Blueberry Council The strategic plan is the result of an eight-month planning process executed with the help of Rockland Dutton Research & Consulting, which has similar experience working with the National Mango Board, World Bank, Beef Checkoff, Hass Avocado Board and more. It was the most comprehensive planning process in USHBC’s history. We sought significant internal and external input, conducting approximately 50 interviews of Board members and industry leaders, surveying 193 industry stakeholders, consulting with our entire staff and all partner agencies, ensuring all efforts were informed by the people

FloridaBlueberryGrowers.org

www.ponis.com.ar

The Blueberry News | 9

Fall and Early Winter Suggested Blueberry Management ______ CREDIT by DOUG PHILLIPS, UF/IFAS Blueberry Extension

The tables below list suggested blueberry management items for October through December. Suggested management items for the entire calendar year are available in an EDIS publication, Calendar for Southern Highbush Blueberry Management in Florida (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/HS/ HS136300.pdf).

Remember to take a look at the UF/IFAS Blueberry Growers Guide phone app for field scouting tools, as well as information on all of the UF southern highbush blueberry cultivars. iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ uf-blueberry-growers-guide/ id1535258711 Android: https://play.google.com/store/ apps/details?id=co.austn. ss.blueberry

Specific disease, insect, and weed controls are listed in the 2019 Florida Blueberry IPM Guide (http://edis.ifas.ufl. edu/pdffiles/hs/hs38000. pdf), as well as in subjectspecific publications referenced below. Also, a list of all UF EDIS blueberry publications can be found at www.blueberrybreeding. com/blog, along with a summary description and link to each.

OCTOBER Disease

Insect Pests

Weeds

Monitor and manage leaf diseases, particularly in evergreen systems. See UF EDIS Publication PP348, Florida Blueberry Leaf Disease Guide (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/PP/PP34800.pdf).

Spray applicable insecticides or miticides to control blueberry bud mite if present or observed in prior season, southern red mites, and fall webworm. See new UF EDIS Publication ENY-1006, Mite Pests of Southern Highbush Blueberry in Florida (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/IN/ IN128400.pdf).

Apply post-emergence herbicide if weeds are at densities that hinder bush growth. See UF EDIS Publication HS90, Weed Management in Blueberry (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/WG/ WG01600.pdf). continued on page 20

10 | The Blueberry News

FloridaBlueberryGrowers.org

topic of the season Post-Harvest Blueberries by DOUG PHILLIPS, UF/IFAS Blueberry Extension, JEFFREY G. WILLIAMSON, Horticultural Sciences Department, PHILIP F. HARMON, Department of Plant Pathology, OSCAR E. LIBURD, Entomology and Nematology Department, and PETER DITTMAR, Horticultural Sciences Department, all with the University of Florida/IFAS. The following tables were updated from the 2019 UF/IFAS Florida Blueberry Integrated Pest Management Guide found at edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs380. This publication is intended for use only as a guide. Specific rates and application methods are on the pesticide label, and these are subject to change at any time. Always refer to and read the pesticide label before making any application! The pesticide label supersedes any information contained in this guide, and it is the legal document referenced for application standards.

POLLINATOR PROTECTION

Before making insecticide applications, monitor insect populations to determine if treatment is needed. If insecticide application is necessary: 1. Use selective pesticides to reduce risk to pollinators and other non-target beneficial insects. 2. Read and follow all pesticide label directions and precautions. The label is the Law! EPA now requires the addition of a “Protection of Pollinators” advisory box on certain pesticide labels. Look for the bee hazard icon in the Directions for Use and within crop specific sections for instructions to protect bees and other insect pollinators. 3. Minimize infield exposure of bees to pesticides by avoiding applications when bees are actively foraging in the crops. Bee flower visitation rate is highest in early morning. Apply pesticides in the late afternoon or early evening to allow for maximum residue degradation before bees return the next morning. Bee foraging activity is also dependent upon time of year (temperature) and stage of crop growth. The greatest risk of bee exposure is during bloom. 4. Minimize off-target movement of pesticide applications by following label directions to minimize off-target movement of pesticides. Do not make pesticide applications when the wind is blowing towards bee hives or off-site pollinator habitats.

POST-HARVEST BLUEBERRIES Anthracnose Leaf Spot, Rust, Septoria, and Target Spot: Anthracnose, Septoria, rust, and target spot can cause premature defoliation, resulting in poor bud development and subsequent loss of yield, especially in evergreen systems this time of year. Fungicide timing for leaf spots varies across the state and by specific disease. Septoria can occur prior to harvest through late spring. Anthracnose leaf spots and target spots generally start postharvest and persist through summer. Rust is a problem in all Florida production areas. On susceptible varieties, rust can prematurely defoliate plants. Where leaves are not dropped in winter, rust can carry over on the previous year's foliage and can cause rust problems in early spring as well. Bravo Weather Stik® is labeled for control of both rust and Septoria leaf spots; this chlorothalonil product makes an excellent rotation partner for the strobilurin-containing products Abound® or Pristine®. However, Bravo Weather Stik® can only be used after harvest because chlorothalonil will damage fruit. See UF EDIS Publication PP348, Florida Blueberry Leaf Disease Guide (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/PP348). Blueberry Bud Mite: The blueberry bud mite is an eriophyid mite so tiny (i.e., 1/125 inch long) that it cannot be seen without magnification. Blueberry bud mite is an occasional pest in well-established blueberries in Florida. Bud mite injury is often confused with frost damage and may become more visible in late spring. In early spring, infested plants exhibit stunted, succulent, fleshy, closely packed, reddish, and rosetted buds, which may dry up and often fail to open. Bloom on infested plants is reduced. Affected berries are small and rough and may have small, reddish pimples or blisters on the fruit surface. Sanitation by aggressive, timely pruning of infested branches can be helpful. Mechanical topping (i.e., mowing old fruiting twigs) immediately after harvest greatly reduces bud mite incidence the following year. Bushes that may be infested with blueberry bud mite should never be used for propagation. The application of horticultural oil immediately after harvest can help in the control of blueberry bud mite. A new miticide, Magister® (Fenazaquin) was recently registered in blueberries and should provide some protection against eriophyids. The insecticide Apta® (Tolfenpyrad) should also provide protection against eriophyids. Blueberry bud mites belong to this group. Conventional insecticides such as Pyrethroids have miticidal effects and can be used to help reduce bud mite infestation. See UF EDIS Publication ENY-858, Blueberry Bud Mite (Acalitus vaccini (Keifer) on Southern Highbush Blueberry in Florida (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN844). continued on next page

FloridaBlueberryGrowers.org

The Blueberry News | 11

topic of the season

continued from previous page

POST-HARVEST BLUEBERRIES, CONT. Spider Mites: The southern red mite is the key spider mite pest attacking blueberry plants in Florida. Southern red mites primarily infest the lower side of the leaf giving the leaf a bronzing appearance when the population is high. Southern red mites also produce a protective web made of silk over the infested surface to protect them from predators. The underside of leaves should be closely examined with a 10X hand lens for adults, shed skins, and webbing. Tapping foliage onto a sheet of white paper can also be used to find adult mites. A few miticides including Fenazaquin (Magister®), Fenpyroximate (Portal®) and Acequinocyl (Kanemite®) have recently been labelled for spider mites. See UF EDIS Publication ENY-1006, Mite Pests of Southern Highbush Blueberry in Florida (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN1284).

DORMANT PLANTS Phytophthora Root Rot: Phytophthora root rot (PRR) is considered the most serious soil borne disease that affects southern highbush blueberries (SHB). Some SHB cultivars are considered tolerant and others highly susceptible, while rabbiteye cultivars are less affected by the disease. PRR is caused by the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi. Common above-ground symptoms associated with Phytophthora infections are reductions in plant vigor and premature fall discoloration. Symptoms at ground level and below ground include crown and root rots. Disease on susceptible hosts occurs when certain environmental conditions (primarily a saturated root zone and root wounding) trigger Phytophthora reproduction, infection and symptom development. PRR is typically more severe in low and poorly drained areas of a farm. The pathogen causes root discoloration (dark brown to black, instead of the normal cinnamon brown) and decay. Advanced stages of infection cause plant stunting, wilting, an abnormal or reduced root system, root rot, and plant dieback. Leaf discoloration also typically occurs, including yellowing, reddening with or without marginal burn, abnormal growth of new leaves, and defoliation. Plants affected by PRR may also be more susceptible to other dieback diseases including stem blight. Fungicides with the active ingredient mefenoxam such as Ridomil Gold SL are recommended where PRR occurs, and are applied twice yearly (typically in January and June) through drip irrigation or as a band application directly to the bed. In addition to the Phenylamide fungicide, mefenoxam, that is applied to the soil, Aliette (Fosetyl-Al 80%) and numerous phosphorous acid products, referred to as “phites” or phosphonates, provide some control when applied as summer foliar sprays. Blueberry Gall Midge: The blueberry gall midge (BGM) is a tiny fly whose larvae feed on vegetative and floral buds. Typically, gall midge will attack young developing floral and leaf buds and this will cause floral buds to abort or fall off the bush resulting in poor flowering and ‘fruit set’. With heavy gall midge injury to floral buds, there would be a lighter bloom. Instead of the usual 5 to 6 buds producing several flowers only 2 may reach maturity resulting in poor fruit clusters. Blueberry gall midge will also feed on leaf or vegetative buds, leaving young leaves deformed and misshaped. Gall midges lay eggs on warm winter days and at any time during the growing season when the plants are making new flushes of growth. Delegate® (Spinetoram), Exirel® (Cyantraniliprole), diazinon (if labeled for use on your site) Apta® (Tolfenpyrad) and Movento® (Spirotetramat) can be applied for gall midge control between flower bud stages 2 and 3. Application should take place when the most mature buds first show slight scale separation. Sprays may need to be repeated during warm spells. Bud scale separation may occur as early as December 15th in north Florida. Among rabbiteye cultivars, 'Premier' is often particularly attractive to the gall midge and is a good sentinel variety to monitor. Gall midge sprays can also suppress a pre-bloom thrips population. See UF EDIS Publication ENY-997, Blueberry Gall Midge on Southern Highbush Blueberry in Florida (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN1239). Scale: Scale insects injure blueberries by sucking plant sap, inserting their mouthparts into a plant and remaining immobile throughout their lives. Signs of infestation are leaf yellowing (chlorosis), defoliation, fruit drop, sooty mold, branch dieback, or plant death. Soft scales, Coccidae, secrete a waxy covering over the body. They also secrete a large amount of sugary waste (honeydew) resulting in sooty mold which can interfere with photosynthesis and slow plant growth. Of the soft scales, Indian Wax scale, Ceroplastes ceriferus (Fabricius), is the most prolific on blueberries in Florida. See UF EDIS Publication ENY-411, Insect Management in Blueberries in the Eastern United States (https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/liburd/fruitnvegipm/presentations/2007%20Blueberry%20Insect%20Management%20Guide.pdf).

DISEASE AND PEST MANAGEMENT OPTIONS Disease/Pest Management Problem Options Anthracnose, Septoria, Target Spot, and Rust Leaf Diseases

Amount of Formulation per Acre

Azoxystrobin 6.2–15.4 fl. oz. (Abound®)

REI

Effectiveness (Least = + to most = +++++)

(restricted entry interval)

++++

PHI

(postharvest interval)

Comments

0 Subsequent applications can be made at 14-day intervals. days Consider tank mixing with Captan or Bravo. When

hedging is conducted immediately following harvest, this is a good time to consider an application. Do not exceed 1.44 qt. per acre per season. Do not apply more than two sequential applications of Abound® before switching to a fungicide with another mode of action. continued on page 14

12 | The Blueberry News

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topic of the season continued from page 12

DISEASE AND PEST MANAGEMENT OPTIONS, CONT. REI

PHI

Disease/Pest Management Problem Options

Amount of Formulation per Acre

Effectiveness (Least = + to most = +++++)

(restricted entry interval)

(postharvest interval)

Pyraclostrobin + boscalid (Pristine® WG)

18.5–23 oz.

++++

12 h

0 No more than two sequential applications of Pristine® days should be made before alternating with fungicides that

Fenbuconazole (Indar® 75 WSP)

2.0 oz.

Metconazole (Quash®)

2.5 oz.

Comments

have a different mode of action. Do not apply more than four applications of Pristine® per acre per crop year.

+++

12 h

30 Do not make more than four applications or apply days more than 8 oz. of Indar® 75 WSP (0.38 lb. active)

per acre per year. Indar® 75 WSP belongs to the sterol demethylation inhibitor (DMI) class of fungicides. Alternation with fungicides of different classes is recommended.

+++

12 h

7 Do not make more than three applications per acre per days crop year. Alternate with a fungicide with another mode

of action.

Propiconazole (Tilt) Anthracnose, Septoria, Prothioconazole Target Spot, (Proline® 480 and Rust Leaf SC) Diseases Chlorothalonil (Bravo Weather Stik®)

6.0 fl. oz.

30 Tilt, another DMI fungicide, may be applied by ground or days aerial application (see label). Do not apply more than 30

5.7 fl oz.

++++

12 h

7 Make up to 2 applications per year on a 7–10 day days schedule.

3–4 pt.

++++

12 h (with restrictions) 6.5 days (w/o)

42 Apply only as a postharvest fungicide for Septoria and days rust. Do not combine with other pesticides, surfactants, or

12 h

0 Applications can be made at 7- to 10-day intervals when days conditions warrant. Do not apply more than 56 oz.

11–14 oz.

Fluopyram + Pyrimethanil (Luna® Tranquility)

16–27 fl oz

Fosetyl-Al (Aliette® WDG)

5 lb.

14 | The Blueberry News

24 h

fl. oz. per acre per season. Tilt is more effective when it dries ahead of a rain.

Cyprodinil + fludioxonil (Switch® 62.5WG)

Phytophthora root rot

+++

fertilizers.

of product per acre per year. Make no more than two sequential applications before using another fungicide with a different mode of action.

12 h

0 Do not apply more than 54.7 fl oz per acre per year. days Rotate to a different fungicide group after no more than 2

applications. Reapplication interval is 7 to 14 days. No efficacy data for this product are available for blueberry in Florida. Only Luna® Tranquility is labeled for blueberry in Florida.

+++

12 h

12 h Apply Aliette® as a foliar spray for Phytophthora and

Pythium root rots and Septoria leaf spot. Subsequent applications can be made at 14- to 21-day intervals. Two or three fungicide applications following harvest are generally sufficient to prevent major outbreaks of Septoria leaf spot. Assuming that hedging is conducted immediately following harvest, this is a good time to consider an application. Do not exceed four applications per acre per year. these instructions continued on page 16

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topic of the season continued from page 14

DISEASE AND PEST MANAGEMENT OPTIONS, CONT. REI

PHI

Amount of Formulation per Acre

Effectiveness (Least = + to most = +++++)

(restricted entry interval)

(postharvest interval)

Fosetyl-Al (Aliette® WDG)

5 lb.

+++

12 h

12 h these instructions continued from page 14

Potassium phosphite (Prophyt®)

4 pt.

Mono- and dipotassium salts of phosphorous acid (Agri-Fos®)

2.5 qt.

Fenazaquin (Magister®)

use 24-36 fl. oz

Disease/Pest Management Problem Options

Comments

Do not tank mix with copper and foliar fertilizers and do not apply in acidic water or add acidifying agents because these practices could damage fruit or foliage. When tank-mixing this product with others, test the mix on a small area to make sure that phytotoxicity does not occur.

+++

0 Apply as a foliar spray for Phytophthora and Pythium. days Also effective against Septoria and anthracnose leaf

spots. Do not tank mix with copper and foliar fertilizers and do not apply in acidic water or add acidifying agents because these practices could damage fruit or foliage. When tank-mixing this product with others, test the mix on a small area to make sure that phytotoxicity does not occur.

Phytophthora root rot

+++

0 Apply as a foliar spray for Phytophthora and Pythium. days Also effective against Septoria and anthracnose leaf

+++

12 h

7 Apply in at least 50 gallons of water per acre. Use higher days rates for heavier mite pressure. Do not make more than

one application per year.

Blueberry bud mite

Blueberry gall midge

Growers can make two applications per year.

Fenpyroximate (Portal®)

2 pt

+++

12 h

1 day

Horticultural oil (JMS StyletOil®)

3–6 qt./100 gal.

0 Blueberry bud mite cannot be readily seen, and by the days time symptoms are observed in the spring, the mites are

Horticultural oil (Stoller Golden Pest Spray Oil)

2 gal. (low volume) application or 2 gal./100 gal. (dilute spray)

Spirotetramat (Movento® 240 SC)

5–6 fl. oz.

++++

12 h

7 Do not apply more than 25 fl. oz. per acre per season. days

Spinetoram (Delegate® WG)

3–6 oz.

+++

1 Do not apply more than 17.9 oz. of Delegate or 0.28 lb days ai spinetoram per acre per season.

too deep for effective treatment. Avoid using this product if the temperature is above 85°F

0 Avoid using this product if the temperature is above 85°F days

continued on page 18

16 | The Blueberry News

FloridaBlueberryGrowers.org

Harvesting. Packing. Marketing.

DUNDEE BERRY GROWERS ASSOCIATION Currently Accepting New Growers. Our company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dundee Citrus Growers Association which has been in business since 1924. We are a vertically integrated company that offers harvesting, packing and marketing services. Our “Florida Classic” brand is a well-recognized and respected label throughout the United States and Canada. Our packing facility is conveniently located one mile East of Highway 27 in Dundee.

Contact Steven B. Callaham steven.callaham@dun-d.com | 863.287.2636 111 1st Street North, Dundee, FL 33838-1739 863.439.1574 office | 863.439.1535 fax FloridaBlueberryGrowers.org

The Blueberry News | 17

topic of the season continued from page 16

DISEASE AND PEST MANAGEMENT OPTIONS, CONT. Disease/Pest Management Problem Options

Blueberry gall midge

Scale

Amount of Formulation per Acre

Acetamiprid 4.5–5.3 oz. (Assail® 30SG) Cyantraniliprole 13.5–20.5 fl. (Exirel®) oz. Spinosad 1.25–2 oz. (Entrust® 80%) Labeled for organic use Malathion 2 pt. (Malathion 57 EC)

Effectiveness (Least = + to most = +++++)

REI

(restricted entry interval)

PHI

(postharvest interval)

Comments

+++

12 h 1 day Do not apply within 4 days of bloom.

+++

12 h

+++

3 Do not apply within 4 days of bloom. Minimum days application interval between treatments is 5 days.

3 Entrust® is toxic to bees until it is thoroughly dry (3 hours), days but thereafter it is relatively nontoxic to bees. Entrust®

should be applied in early morning or late evening during bloom.

+++

12 h 1 day Malathion has low toxicity to bees and beneficial insects.

Diazinon (Diazinon AG 500)

1 pt.

+++

5 days

7 Do not apply within 4 days of bloom. days

Tolfenpyrad (Apta®)

27 fl oz/acre

12 h

3 Allow 14 days between applications. days

Diazinon (Diazinon AG500)

1 pt/100 gal

+++

5 days

Pyriproxyfen (Esteem®)

1.5 -2.0 lb

+++

12 h

24 h

Mineral oil (JMS Stylet oil)

25-150 gal

Imidacloprid (Admire® Pro)

10 fl. oz

+++

12 h

Fenazaquin (Magister®)

24-36 fl oz

Fenpyroximate 2 pt (Portal®) Acequinocyl 31 fl oz (Kanemite®) Spider mites Horticultural 3–6 qt./100 oil (JMS Styletgal. Oil®) Horticultural 2 gal. (low oil (Stoller volume) Golden Pest application or Spray Oil) 2 gal./100 gal. (dilute spray)

18 | The Blueberry News

++++ ++++ +++

12 h Recommended 1-3 gallons per 100 gallons of water.

Avoid using this product if the temperature is above 85°F.

3 Soil application. Chemigation into root zone through lowdays pressure drip, trickle, or microsprinkler. It is important to

moisten the soil (1/2–1 inch of water) prior to application or shortly after application. 12 h 7 Apply in at least 50 gallons of water per acre. Use higher days rates for heavier mite pressure. Do not make more than one application per year. 12 h 1 day Growers can make two applications per year. 12 h 1 day Do not apply this product through the irrigation system.

Allow a minimum of 21 days between applications.

0 Avoid using this product if the temperature is above 85°F. days

0 days

Avoid using this product if the temperature is above 85°F.

FloridaBlueberryGrowers.org

Berry Harvesters The latest technology! Blueline BH200 • B lueline Manufacturing designed this berry harvesting machine based on grower input and identified weaknesses of competitive berry harvesters on the market. Our goal from the onset of this project was to reduce the loss of fruit through the collection system. In many cases, according to growers, was up to 20% of the total crop. With a creative way of moving the crop using high volume, low pressure air, we have reduced the loss to the ground by as much as 50%. • T he patented air conveyance system is a key factor. Unique offset picking head. Four-wheel drive with traction control and floatation tires.

BH300 Berry Harvester • T his new and improved, more compact berry harvester is the culmination of years of in-field experience and grower input. This system also incorporates a newly designed collection ear which is much lighter, but very strong, with a wider edge to reduce friction against the plants. Our new collection system uses a rubber “spring block” rather than conventional springs. This system is much simpler to maintain and longer lasting. Coupled with our patented high volume/low pressure air system we feel this is the most efficient self-propelled top loader harvester on the market. It is just one more way Blueline is striving to improve the process of harvesting soft berries while reducing cost and improving productivity. • T he patented air conveyance system is a key factor. Unique offset picking head. Four-wheel drive with traction control and floatation tires.

Kokan 500S Air Berry Harvester • T his is not a Blueline MFG. product, rather a machine that we import. It is not self-propelled like the other machines. This unit is towed by a tractor. The KOKAN 500S provides an innovative, unique and proven Solution for Effective Harvesting for a wide range of fruits including Raspberries, Blueberries, Blackberries and Black Currants. Unlike other industry harvesters, the mechanism of agitating the plants in the 500S is essentially touchless, resulting in minimum fruit bruise and bush damage. The application versatility is accomplished via simple, user friendly adjustments to the machine’s operating parameters. These include independent adjustment of pulsating air jets, velocity and frequency. • T he patented air system is the singular point that separated this machine from all of the rest. The inflatable (air cushioned) catcher ears. Available with independent power supply, either Deutz or CAT. • Replaces hand harvesting.

509-248-8411

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, publisher s

interlude

NELSON KIRKLAND, Publisher

cont. from page 10

A Lot on the Line IN THE 1700S, BEN FRANKLIN gave us the eternal quote: “Nothing is certain except death and taxes.” Centuries later, it’s still as relevant as ever. Our farmers put food on the nation's plate. But the state's growers have had a lot on our own plates, too. From COVID and inflation to unfair trade, it seems the battles have been lining up for those in Florida agriculture. A rocky political climate has ushered in a bevy of changes that could have disastrous effects for Florida farmers and cattlemen. With the passing of the 2017 Tax Reform Plan, we welcomed the $11 million estate tax exemption. With one political party dominating both houses and the White House in Washington, a House committee unveiled a tax proposal in mid-September that would cut the exemption to $6 million in 2022 — a mere three months from now. As growers tend to be “land-rich” and “cash-poor,” many use like-kind exchanges and irrevocable trusts. But the new legislation would include the assets of these trusts in the estate upon their death, defeating the purpose of the trusts altogether. The proposal raises the tax capital gains tax from 23.8% to 43.4%. If that isn’t daunting enough, proposed changes to the estate tax create a second state tax that would apply to anyone who dies with more than $1 million in unrealized gains. Any unrealized gains over this $1 million amount would be subject to that 43.4% capital gains tax. This triplicate of taxes would deal irreversible blows to many growers in our industry who would be hard-pressed to find this kind of money. Multiple organizations, including the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, the Florida Cattleman and the Florida Farm Bureau have rallied to educate our lawmakers on the very real devastation that could result from their votes. Join me as we raise our voices to save Florida growers.

NOVEMBER

Disease

Insect Pests

Monitor and manage leaf diseases, particularly in evergreen systems. See UF EDIS Publication PP348, Florida Blueberry Leaf Disease Guide (https:// edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/ PP/PP34800.pdf). Begin monitoring for blueberry gall midge using bucket traps (3-5 per acre) or sticky panel traps (1-3 per acre), and spray suggested insecticides when adults are observed. If traps are not used, spray right before floral bud break, with a second spray approximately ten days after the first application, following label directions. See UF EDIS Publication ENY-997 Blueberry Gall Midge on Southern Highbush Blueberry in Florida (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ pdffiles/IN/IN123900.pdf). Continue monitoring for southern red mites and flat mites, and spray miticides and insecticides with efficacy on mites. See UF EDIS Publication ENY-1006, Mite Pests of Southern Highbush Blueberry in Florida (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ in1284).

Weeds

Apply post-emergence herbicide if weeds are at densities that hinder bush growth. See UF EDIS Publication HS90, Weed Management in Blueberry (http://edis. ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/WG/ WG01600.pdf). continued on page 32

20 | The Blueberry News

FloridaBlueberryGrowers.org

g r o wer’s thoug ht s

New Management Calendar Module for UF/IFAS Blueberry Growers Guide App The University of Florida blueberry breeding program is releasing a new module for its UF/IFAS Blueberry Growers Guide phone app – a blueberry management calendar for Florida growers. The content was developed in collaboration with UF faculty involved in blueberry pathology, entomology, weed science, horticulture and pollination. The calendar has suggested management and scouting reminders for each month, including disease, insect injury, weed control, and (when applicable) pruning, hydrogen cyanamide application, freeze protection, and managed bees. The items for

FloridaBlueberryGrowers.org

disease and insects link directly into the app’s scouting guide for access to detailed information about those items, as well as links to related UF extension publications. At the beginning of each month users will receive a notification as a reminder to review that month’s suggested management items. Try out this new tool and let us know what you think, including what you find helpful and how we can make improvements.

______ CREDIT by DOUG PHILLIPS, UF Blueberry Extension Coordinator

The Blueberry News | 21

f o r t h e crop

Seasons of Change Fall and Winter Are Deceptively Important in Florida Blueberry Fields WITH THE ONSET OF THE FALL AND WINTER SEASONS, many changes are taking place in blueberry fields, including physiological changes in the plants and management changes in fertilization and irrigation practices. Flower bud initiation and development are important processes occurring now (although not readily apparent) that will likely have a direct effect on berry yields the following year. The first indications of flower bud initiation are usually visible (with the aid of a microscope) during late August for some cultivars, or in September for others. One study conducted at the Plant Science Research and Education Unit (PSREU) in Citra showed differences between “Emerald” and “Jewel” in the timing of flower bud primordia development. For “Emerald” a significant number of buds contained floral structures by early September. However, for “Jewel,” buds with floral structures were not found until October. In both cases, the number of buds with floral structures continued to increase through the final measuring date of mid-November. In general, flower bud initiation and development is believed to continue throughout the fall and early winter. Certain environmental conditions are needed for these processes to occur satisfactorily. Shorter day lengths combined with cooler night temperatures are important environmental cues that initiate the onset of dormancy (in deciduous production) and stimulate flower bud initiation in many crops, including blueberry. A study conducted at the University of Florida demonstrated that short day lengths (long uninterrupted dark periods) combined with cool temperatures stimulated greater flower bud development in southern highbush

Table 1. Effect of temperature and photoperiod on flower bud number per plant of ‘Misty’ southern highbush blueberry. Photoperiod Short day + night interrupt1 Short day2

21 (C) 0.6b 38.0a

TEMPERATURE

28 (C) 0.0b 8.6b

8-hour photoperiod followed by 16-hour dark period. 8-hour photoperiod followed by 16-hour dark period with one hour of light interrupt. From Timothy M. Spann. 2001. Environmental influences on flower bud initiation in Vaccinium species. Thesis. University of Florida.

1 2

blueberry (SHB) (Table 1). Table 1 clearly shows the importance of photoperiod and temperature on flower bud development in “Misty” SHB. Note that a short photoperiod was a requirement for flower bud development and high temperature (28 Co) had a strong inhibitory effect on flower bud development, even under short photoperiod conditions. Although “Misty” is no longer commonly grown, these traits appear to be common to most, if not all, SHB cultivars. Research at UF has also demonstrated that healthy leaves are needed during the processes of flower bud initiation and development. Figure 1 shows the effects of removing leaves early in the fall (September) vs maintaining healthy leaves throughout

the fall (until December). Not only were there more flower buds, but the flower buds were more completely developed (individual buds contained more florets) when healthy leaves were present throughout the fall, versus when leaves were removed in early fall. In this study, leaves were manually removed at various times, but one can imagine that early fall defoliation from one of several leaf spot diseases could have a similar deleterious effect on flower bud initiation and development. Summer pruning, leaf disease and pest management, and a sound fertilization/irrigation program are key management practices that lead to healthy fall foliage. As mentioned earlier, with the onset of fall and winter, blueberry plants enter continued on page 24

22 | The Blueberry News

FloridaBlueberryGrowers.org

The Blueberry News | 23

for the crop, cont. from page 22 the early stages of winter dormancy. This is desirable for plants grown under the dormant production system, to protect them from freezing temperatures. Water use by blueberry plants grown under the deciduous production system is known to decline rapidly in the fall as days become shorter, temperatures are cooler, and shoot extension growth stops. In one study at the PSREU, average plant water use declined by about 37% between September (a period of high water use) and October, and declined another 30% between October and November. Growers using the deciduous production system usually find it helpful to stop fertilization in late summer or early fall (date of the last fertilizer application will vary with factors such as location, fertilizer type/formulation, and cultivar) and reduce irrigation as plant water demands decline in the fall, to prepare plants for the oncoming fall and winter seasons. The resulting cessation of shoot extension growth is needed for the onset of dormancy. Once dormant, exposure to cool temperatures will be needed to satisfy the chilling requirement to resume normal spring growth the following year. Often, chilling may be inadequate or only marginally adequate and hydrogen cyanamide (HC) may be used as a dormancy-breaking compound to assist with a strong, uniform, emergence from dormancy. Cultivars respond differently to HC and it should not be used on a particular cultivar if that cultivar’s tolerance to HC is unknown. More information on HC use is available in the 2019 Florida Blueberry Integrated Pest Management Guide (https:// edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf%5CHS%5CHS38000. pdf). In areas of Florida where winter chilling is likely to be low, growers have adopted the “evergreen” production system. The main distinction between this system and the deciduous system is that dormancy is avoided with the evergreen system and as a result, there is no related chilling requirement. With the evergreen system, plants maintain their leaves throughout the winter and these leaves are important for early crop development. Typically, the harvest season for evergreen production 24 | The Blueberry News

Defoliated in mid-December

Defoliated in early September

Figure 1. Effect of timing of defoliation on flower bud development of ‘Misty’ southern highbush blueberry.

will begin earlier, be less concentrated, and extend over a longer period than with the deciduous system. With the evergreen system, fall and winter fertilizer and irrigation management will differ from the traditional deciduous production system. While less fertilizer is needed during the fall and winter than during the spring and summer, some maintenance level of fertilization is needed throughout the fall and winter to maintain healthy foliage and prevent dormancy. The evergreen system is relatively new and there are currently no research-based fertilizer recommendations. Similarly, irrigation should be reduced during the fall and winter compared to the summer, but irrigation will be needed in higher quantities than under the deciduous system. This is due to the presence of leaves throughout the winter and warmer temperatures in southern production areas where the evergreen system is most common. For additional information on the evergreen system see Evergreen Production System for Southern Highbush Blueberries in Florida (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf/HS/ HS136200.pdf). Along with fertilization and irrigation, another key to successfully using the evergreen system is effective disease and pest control. Fungal leaf diseases, including rust, anthracnose, target spot, and Phyllosticta, can damage foliage and result in defoliation. A good preventive fungicide program, along

with scouting and application of suggested fungicides when disease symptoms are observed, will help to maintain healthy foliage. One of the primary fall pests that can result in foliage damage and possible defoliation in Florida is the southern red mite. Mite populations typically peak during early to mid-fall when conditions are hot, dry, and dusty. Regular scouting and application of suggested miticides, along with cultural practices such as applying water to roadways to reduce dusty conditions, can help minimize damage and keep foliage intact. See Florida Blueberry Leaf Disease Guide (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf/PP/ PP34800.pdf) and Mite Pests of Southern Highbush Blueberry in Florida (https://edis. ifas.ufl.edu/pdf/IN/IN128400.pdf), along with the UF/IFAS Blueberry Growers Guide app, for additional information. Awareness of the physiological changes in plants during fall and early winter months, along with knowledge of required changes in management practices during this time, will help growers to effectively manage their fields to help promote good production the following spring and good overall plant growth. ______ CREDIT by JEFFREY G. WILLIAMSON, Professor, Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida & DOUG PHILLIPS, Blueberry Extension Coordinator, University of Florida

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In the Know

Blueberry Advisory System Alerts Growers to Conditions ______ CREDIT Favorable for Anthracnose Fruit Rot by DR. NATALIA PERES, PROFESSOR,

ANTHRACNOSE FRUIT ROT (AFR) is a fungal disease that affects southern highbush blueberries in Florida. It is caused by the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and is highly dependent on favorable weather conditions. Control of this disease is primarily achieved through spray application of suggested fungicides, with many Florida growers using a calendar-based spray program. Suggested fungicides include azoxystrobin, captan, cyprodinil + fludioxonil, pyraclostrobin + boscalid, fluazinam, and others. However, resistance to QoI fungicides such as azoxystrobin and pyraclostrobin has been observed in Florida fields, and resistance to boscalid has been observed in the lab. The Blueberry Advisory System (BAS), available at http://agroclimate.org/tools/ bas/, is a weather-based alert system that signals Florida blueberry growers when environmental conditions are favorable for the development of AFR. BAS uses leaf wetness duration and temperature data from weather stations from the Florida Automated Weather Network (FAWN) as its signaling algorithm. Growers who sign up for notifications will receive a text and/ or email message when the risk of disease is moderate or high. This system allows growers to target their fungicide sprays to those periods when the development of infection is more likely. In many cases, this can decrease overall applications for the season compared to a calendar-based approach while achieving a comparable level of disease control. BAS can be especially useful in years when weather conditions are not suitable for disease development. Growers can also use these risk assessments to choose whether to use a less expensive fungicide when disease risk is moderate or a more expensive product with greater efficacy during periods of high risk. For best efficacy, fungicide applications should be made within 48 hours of the disease risk event. The signaling algorithm used in the BAS was first developed and used for strawberry production in Florida by Dr. Natalia Peres and her lab (the Strawberry Advisory System, or SAS). In 2018 and 2019, the Peres 26 | The Blueberry News

lab conducted field trials in commercial blueberry fields in central and south Florida using the SAS algorithm. They found that this algorithm worked in blueberries, and that in most cases, a similar level of AFR control was achieved using the same or fewer fungicide applications. We hope you will try the BAS during the upcoming blueberry season and let us know if you think it is a helpful disease management tool.

Plant Pathology, UF & DOUG PHILLIPS, Blueberry Extension Coordinator

Figure 1. BAS - snapshot of anthracnose disease risk across several FAWN stations (green is low risk, yellow is moderate risk).

Figure 2. BAS - anthracnose risk charted over one month.

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The Latest on Hydrogen Cyanamide Evaluating How Various Cultivars Respond to the Agent SOUTHERN HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRY (Vaccinium corymbosum interspecific hybrids) cultivars require a period of chilling at temperatures around 45°F for proper dormancy release. Adequate chill accumulation is necessary for synchronous flowering and concentrated harvest. Growers are often challenged with suboptimal chill that may be further exacerbated by global climate change. Hydrogen cyanamide (HC) is a dormancy-breaking agent commonly used to mitigate the negative effects of insufficient chill accumulation in Florida. New cultivars are continuously developed and released by the University of Florida’s blueberry breeding program. Since cultivars vary in their sensitivity and response to HC, it is important to evaluate each new cultivar to determine HC tolerance, potential benefits, and if it is a good candidate for HC use. On tolerant and responsive cultivars, proper timing and concentration of HC can accelerate leaf canopy development, advance harvest date, and increase fruit size. Two experiments were conducted at Straughn Farms in Waldo from 2019-2021. The first investigated the effect of different rates of HC on bud break and yield in cultivars “Optimus” and “Colossus.” The experiment was repeated over two growing seasons on 3- to 4-year-old blueberry bushes. Plants were sprayed to drip towards the end of December with a foliar application 28 | The Blueberry News

of HC in the form of Dormex at a rate of 0.75%, 1.00%, 1.25%, or 1.5%. A nonsprayed control was used for comparison. The second experiment investigated the timing of application using 1.25% Dormex. Two-year-old bushes of cultivars “Optimus,” “Colossus,” “Sentinel,” and “Magnus” were utilized. Dormex was applied after 50, 100, 150, or 200 hours of chill accumulation with

a non-sprayed control for comparison. The timing experiment was conducted over one growing season but will be repeated in spring 2022. For both experiments, vegetative and reproductive bud development were tracked over the growing seasons along with flower bud mortality, fruit set, yield, berry size and fruit quality. Higher Dormex rates (1.25% and 1.5%) FloridaBlueberryGrowers.org

accelerated vegetative bud development. Reproductive bud development was accelerated in “Colossus,” but slowed down in “Optimus.” Regardless of reproductive bud development, “Colossus” yield was advanced on the first harvest date and “Optimus” yield was advanced on the first three harvest dates. Higher rates (e.g. 1.5%) were also associated with higher levels of flower bud mortality. In the timing experiment, higher

chill accumulation (e.g. 150- and 200-hour treatments) led to earlier vegetative bud break as well as higher levels of flower bud mortality across all cultivars except “Sentinel.” Fruit harvest was only advanced in “Optimus” by

the 150-hour treatment. Generally, larger berries were observed as a consequence of high chill hour accumulation in all cultivars. A summary of this work will be presented at the FBGA Fall Blueberry Short Course.

______ CREDIT by JACOB BUCK, graduate student; JEFF WILLIAMSON, professor; and GERARDO NUNEZ, assistant professor, Horticultural Sciences Department, IFAS, University of Florida

executive director’s letter, cont. from page 4 • Improved data and insights: Create world-class industry databases on supply, demand, historical price and inventory to enable better decision making. • Industry advocacy: Raise the profile of the blueberry industry in Washington D.C., advocating for the resources, programs and opportunities to help drive competitiveness for our blueberry growers. In addition, the UBTF developed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that guides cross-industry incremental funding to support activities driving demand for fresh and processed blueberries across multiple channels. The MOU increases the investment from imported fruit, by providing a framework for volunteering an additional $18/ton from those who import blueberries today. As a voluntary program through the NABC, the MOU has a prerequisite that a majority of imported production must be participating in the MOU for it to be executed. It also establishes a United Blueberry Advisory Council at the NABC for ensuring the program is performing. The MOU, guided by a collective of U.S. growers, U.S. marketers and importers, is an incremental effort. The work of the UBTF has come a long way since Ken announced its formation in March. At that time, I wasn’t sure how or FloridaBlueberryGrowers.org

if the vision of this task force to bring our industry back around the table would come together, but I’m proud to report that we’ve already made significant progress. I look forward to sharing more updates as we go from here. I’m more confident than ever that these dollars will help better develop solutions to solve some of our biggest challenges by driving category growth in blueberry demand and consumption, in the

U.S. and across the globe. All of this is really dependent on the continuation of the USHBC, so please don’t forget to grab your ballot and cast your vote for the future success of our industry; vote yes for USHBC.

Brittany H. Lee

Brittany H. Lee, Executive Director, Florida Blueberry Growers Association fbga.ed@gmail.com

The Blueberry News | 29

Better Breeds, Better Breeders

he more talent Patricio Muñoz can recruit to his lab, the quicker he can get new varieties out to you, and he just got a powerful magnet to attract that talent.

In August, the UF/IFAS College of Agricultural and Life Sciences launched a new plant breeding Ph.D. program. Muñoz has one of the first seven students. It’s a double win for the industry. Estefania Tavares Flores will help Muñoz help you for the next four years, and she hopes to then be a professional blueberry breeder herself. Tavares arrives with a background in the gene-editing tool CRISPR and other biotechnology skills. She’ll put these to work helping Muñoz explore how to boost blueberries’ antioxidant levels. Muñoz in his lab and UF/IFAS with our larger plant breeding program believe that we can get the best return on investment by building on existing strengths. When it comes to the blueberry, one of its greatest strengths in the market is its superfood status. Tavares and Muñoz hope breeding an even more nutritious berry will increase consumer demand among the health-conscious. You don’t need a Ph.D. in economics to know what an increase in demand can do for price and profit. No other program we know of has focused on breeding for antioxidants. Tavares’ proficiency in modern breeding tools and Muñoz’s guidance will allow her to engage in this search while simultaneously incorporating traits such as size, fruit firmness, resilience to climate change, disease resistance and more. I’d argue that UF/IFAS already has the top plant breeding program in the nation. We can say for sure that we have few peers, and adding the Ph.D. program gives us that much more of an edge. UC Davis, for example, does not offer a plant breeding Ph.D., nor does Penn State. Our edge is your edge. Better breeding will help the blueberry industry and other Florida commodities keep globally competitive. Our breeders have long had Ph.D. students, of course, in horticultural sciences, agronomy and other disciplines. The new plant breeding curriculum offers specialized instruction and 30 | The Blueberry News

Patricio Munoz and Estefania Tavares Flores

research in creating cultivars. Employers sifting through resumes look specifically for degrees in plant breeding. So do students looking for degree programs. Tavares wants the plant breeding designation on her diploma and chose UF because she can now get that here. Muñoz chose Tavares for a reason beyond her technical skills. He sees in Tavares a passion for the profession. Tavares sees the very future of agriculture as dependent upon plant breeders, that she will be on the front lines of helping producers adapt to changing conditions in their fields for decades to come. She’ll start building relationships with the industry now. Muñoz expects that she’ll sample varieties in trials on commercial farms and that she’ll present preliminary results from her work at meetings of the Florida Blueberry Growers Association. A new cultivar is always years in the making. So is a new cultivar creator, the berry breeder. The new UF/IFAS plant breeding program has the potential to accelerate the timelines for both and to improve the results—better breeds, and better breeders.

J. Scott Angle jangle@ufl.edu @IFAS_VP

J. Scott Angle is the University of Florida’s Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources and leader of the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).

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cont. from page 20 DECEMBER

Disease

Insect Pests

Weeds

Once bloom occurs, monitor for Botrytis flower blight during cool wet periods. If present, spray suggested fungicides in rotation. Applications of fungicides prior to a forecasted need for overhead irrigation as freeze protection can help reduce Botrytis severity on plants damaged by low temperature injury. See UF EDIS Publication PP198, Botrytis Blossom Blight of Southern Highbush Blueberry (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/PP/PP11900.pdf). Anthracnose (ripe rot) infections can begin as early as bloom; consider preventative fungicide applications and using the Blueberry Advisory System for notifications of increased disease development risk (http://cloud.agroclimate.org/tools/bas/dashboard/disease). Continue to monitor for blueberry gall midge and spray suggested insecticides when adults are observed. If traps are not used, spray before floral and vegetative bud break, with a second spray approximately 7-10 days after the first application, following label directions. See UF EDIS Publication ENY-997, Blueberry Gall Midge on Southern Highbush Blueberry in Florida (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/IN/IN123900.pdf). Also scout for scales, southern red mites and flat mites, flower thrips, and blueberry bud mites, and if observed use applicable control measures. See UF EDIS Publications ENY-1006, Mite Pests of Southern Highbush Blueberry in Florida (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1284) and HS1156, 2019 Florida Blueberry Integrated Pest Management Guide (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/HS/HS38000.pdf) for detailed recommendations. Apply post-emergence herbicide if weeds are at densities that hinder bush growth. See UF EDIS Publication HS90, Weed Management in Blueberry (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/WG/ WG01600.pdf).

Consider applying hydrogen cyanamide (marketed as Dormex, and BudPro) in deciduous production systems, in particular those with weak or delayed leaf canopy development and heavy fruit loads. However, at higher concentrations, it can cause floral bud injury and reductions in yield, especially Hydrogen in some cultivars that are more sensitive to hydrogen cyanamide, including “Jewel,” “Primadonna,” and “Colossus.” Growers should do test applications by cultivar on small sections to determine safe Cyanamide concentrations. In addition, application should be made before 20% of the floral buds are at or past stage 3 (separation of bud scales) and after sufficient chilling has occurred to minimize floral bud damage. See further discussion in UF EDIS publication HS976, Reproductive Growth and Development of Blueberry (http://edis.ifas.ufl. edu/pdffiles/HS/HS22000.pdf). Monitor forecasted and actual temperatures and utilize freeze protection strategies as needed. See Freeze UF EDIS publication HS968, Protecting Blueberries from Freezes in Florida (http://edis.ifas.ufl. Protection edu/pdffiles/HS/HS21600.pdf).

continued on page 34

32 | The Blueberry News

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cont. from page 32 DECEMBER

Pruning

Dormant pruning can be performed to maintain appropriate plant structure and size. Removal of approximately 25% of old canes should be done annually beginning when a plant is five to six years old, to promote the growth of new canes. Low branches, weak growth, and damaged wood can also be removed at this time. See UF EDIS Publication HS1359, Pruning Southern Highbush Blueberry in Florida (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf/HS/HS135900.pdf).

Have honey bees (and bumblebees if applicable) delivered; should ideally be placed in the field after 10% bloom but before 20% bloom. On large farms, hives should be distributed throughout the farm to the extent it still allows access to bee providers. Confirm health of colonies upon delivery; Managed at least 8 frames per hive should have adults, and at least 6 frames should have brood in the cells, with good activity into and out of the hives and on the bushes. Consider adding additional honey Bees bee or bumblebee hives if there is a heavy, concentrated bloom across the farm, nearby competing crops or wild plants blooming at the same time, or ongoing poor weather conditions (cold, windy, or overcast). See additional details in EDIS Publication ENY-172, Pollination Best Practices in Southern Highbush Blueberry in Florida (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/IN/IN123700.pdf).

Who’s Who of Florida Blueberries

Meet Your New Commercial Fruit Crop Agent for Lake, Orange Counties

My name is Brandon White, and I will be your new Commercial Fruit Crop Agent in Lake and Orange County. I was born and raised in Florida where I currently live in Ocoee with my wife, two girls, and soon-to-arrive son. I am thrilled to be in this new role, and I am looking forward to the many opportunities I know will be presented to help producers flourish at what they do. Having worked for the past three years for UF/IFAS at the Mid Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka, I am familiar with the IFAS system and the many great resources and people that make up UF/IFAS and the role that it plays in the industry and state. I am proud to be a part of that mission, serving the industry to enhance the quality of life for those who live here and abroad. Extension plays a crucial role as the bridge between the university and the industry and community. I have long valued how extension comes alongside producers to meet them where they are and provide that honest, science-based assistance to solving the challenges of agriculture. I love to learn and know I have a lot of learning to do in this new role and am eager to do so. With that, I hope to share the knowledge and experience I have been fortunate to have obtained so that I can be as useful as possible in service to my community. 34 | The Blueberry News

I would say my interest in agriculture as a career really started when I got a job working at the Small Fruit and Viticulture Center of Florida A&M when I was working on my undergraduate degree in landscape design and management. From there, I ended up in Baton Rouge at LSU where I got a master’s degree in soil fertility and plant nutrition. I never dreamed I would end up studying soil at such great length, but I am grateful I did; it has provided a very useful insight to crop production and led to a greater interest in proper soil health as a great starting place for healthy and productive crops. I am looking forward to getting out on the farms and meeting growers. Extension is about relationships – learning from each other and leveraging the knowledge and resources available to move everyone in the best direction possible. And that I am excited to do!

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2021 FBGA Fall Short Course Thursday, October 14, 2021

Mission Resort Inn and Club 10400 FL-48, Howey-In-The-Hills, FL 34737

8:30 a.m. Visit Trade Show

9:00 a.m. W elcome – Dr. Scott Angle, Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources, IFAS, University of Florida, Gainesville

9:15 a.m. M anagement programs for the blueberry gall midge and southern red mite – Dr. Oscar Liburd, entomologist, Dept. of Entomology and Nematology, IFAS, University of Florida, Gainesville

9:40 a.m. Blueberry disease update from the UF IFAS Diagnostic Center – Dr. Phil Harmon, Extension plant pathologist, Plant Pathology Department, IFAS, University of Florida, Gainesville

10:00 a.m. Break – visit trade show

10:30 a.m. N ew blueberry IPM diagnostic phone app – Mr. Doug Phillips, blueberry Extension coordinator, GCREC, IFAS, University of Florida, Wimauma

10:45 a.m. Speaker and topic TBA

11:05 a.m. Speaker and topic TBA

11:25 a.m. Seasonal blueberry root growth patterns and their implications – Dr. Gerard Nunez, plant physiologist, Horticultural Sciences Department, IFAS, University of Florida. Gainesville

11:50 a.m. FBGA Business Meeting - Mr. Leonard Park, FBGA President presiding

12:00 p.m. Lunch and Trade Show

1:30 p.m. S ummary of the 2021 Florida blueberry season – Mr. Doug Phillips, blueberry Extension coordinator, GCREC, IFAS, University of Florida, Wimauma

1:55 p.m. B lueberry breeding program research update – Dr. Patricio Munoz, blueberry breeder, Horticultural Sciences Department, IFAS, University of Florida, Gainesville

2:20 p.m. Update on hydrogen cyanamide research in Florida – Mr. Jacob Buck, graduate student, Horticultural Sciences Department, IFAS, University of Florida, Gainesville

2:40 p.m. Adjourn

36 | The Blueberry News

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president’s letter, cont. from page 6 • Staffing, and just managing the machine process, can be a stressful task, especially on top of a daytime hand crew. Early season we can pick during the day, but when temps get into the upper 80s and 90s, most of the shifts start as the sun is setting and go till dewfall — sometimes quickly before 10 p.m., sometimes dragging into the early morning hours. • Machines can be quite destructive to blueberry plants, their beds and the irrigation system. We have to accept a rate of attrition every year and the cost to repair damages. We also learned that, if you don’t give plenty of room to make 180 degree turns, your operators will eventually shorten the beds and make the room. • We have to add extra cultural activities to the growing schedule to prepare for the machines. Some tasks are pruning annual sucker growth, installing

38 | The Blueberry News

protection for replants and perfecting row middles to make the harvester travel-ways as smooth as possible. I could go on and on, but you get the idea; we work on the machine harvesting process all 12 months of the year. Are you a grower approaching machine harvesting tactically? If so, you still have to keep issues like these in mind, plus deal with the legacy investment of a farm established for hand picking. Plant density may be too tight for larger machines like our Oxbo 7420. Varieties good for our Florida window, like Jewel and Springhigh, don’t lend themselves to the rigors of machining, particularly when the heat arrives. Then there’s the challenge of bushy mature plants never properly trained, beginning at planting, to enhance the performance of the harvester. Even so, incorporating machine harvesting into your operation may make sense. When we started out there was very

little machine harvesting in Florida. Now there are several quality machine harvest contractors in our region you can contact to see if they can help your operation. And as you evolve your fields with new plantings you might want to consider making them machine compatible. Hand crews can pick just as well in a machinable field as one designed just for hand picking. Machine harvesting has certainly been a journey for us, but the technology and the techniques to enhance it are just lifting off. New and better machines are coming. New and better varieties are coming. New and better plant growing methods are coming. There will be less loss, better quality and, thank goodness, lower costs. Our customers will delight in Florida’s long-lasting supertasty fruit… and our farms will enjoy a longlasting prosperous future.

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x x¹

Savory (PP15109) SavorySavory (PP15109) (PP15109)

x x¹ x

Indigocrisp™ Indigocrisp™ 'FL98-325' Indigocrisp™ (PP26523) 'FL98-325' 'FL98-325' (PP26523) (PP26523)

Flicker™ 'FL96-43' Flicker™ Flicker™ (PP21554) 'FL96-43' 'FL96-43' (PP21554) (PP21554)

FL11-137 (PPAF) FL11-137 FL11-137 (PPAF)(PPAF)

FL09-216 (PPAF) FL09-216 FL09-216 (PPAF)(PPAF)

Farthing (PP19341) Farthing Farthing (PP19341) (PP19341)

Endura™ 'FL06-377' Endura™ Endura™ (PP26679) 'FL06-377' 'FL06-377' (PP26679) (PP26679)

x¹ x

x¹ x¹ x x¹

x xx

Raven™ 'FL05-627' Raven™ Raven™ (PP21374) 'FL05-627' 'FL05-627' (PP21374) (PP21374)

x x

x x¹ xx

x¹

x¹ x¹ x

Wayne (PP32182) WayneWayne (PP32182) (PP32182)

x xx x¹

x¹ x

x xx

Vireo™ 'FL05-107' Vireo™ Vireo™ (PP21375) 'FL05-107' 'FL05-107' (PP21375) (PP21375)

xx x¹

x¹

x x¹ x¹ x

SweetcrispSweetcrisp (PP20027) Sweetcrisp (PP20027) (PP20027)

x¹ x

x¹ x xx

SpringwideSpringwide (PP16333) Springwide (PP16333) (PP16333)

x¹ xx

x x¹

SpringhighSpringhigh (PP16404) Springhigh (PP16404) (PP16404)

Island Grove, LLC Services, Plant Development The DOC Applications, Inc. Inc. Lochloosa Lake Farms, LLC Southland Berry Plantation Towers Family Farms LLC

x x¹

x x¹ x¹ xx

Optimus (PP32028) Optimus Optimus (PP32028) (PP32028)

Cornelius Farms, LLC Lochloosa Lake Farms, LLC Inc. Plant Development Services, Dole Diversified America, Inc. Oregon Blueberry Farms & Nursery Southland Berry North Plantation

x¹ x

x¹ x xx

Millennia (PP12816) Millennia Millennia (PP12816) (PP12816)

Agri-Starts, Inc. Cornelius Farms, Island Grove, LLCLLC Blue Nursery Dole Star Diversified North LLC America, Inc. Lochloosa Lake Farms, Clear Springs Farming, Island Grove, LLC FarmsLLC Oregon Blueberry & Nursery

x¹

x x¹

Colossus (PPAF) Colossus Colossus (PPAF)(PPAF)

Clear Springs Farming, LLC Licensee Dole Diversified North America, Inc.

Chickadee™ Chickadee™ 'FL04-235' Chickadee™ (PP21376) 'FL04-235' 'FL04-235' (PP21376) (PP21376)

Agri-Starts, Inc. Clear Springs Farming, LLC Blue Star Nursery Cornelius Farms, LLC

Bobolink™Bobolink™ 'FL03-291' Bobolink™ (PP21377) 'FL03-291' 'FL03-291' (PP21377) (PP21377)

Licensee Blue Star Nursery

Avanti™ 'FL06-203' Avanti™ Avanti™ (PP26312) 'FL06-203' 'FL06-203' (PP26312) (PP26312)

Agri-Starts, Inc.

Arcadia™ 'FL07-399' Arcadia™ Arcadia™ (PP26313) 'FL07-399' 'FL07-399' (PP26313) (PP26313)

Licensee

AbundanceAbundance (PP16476) Abundance (PP16476) (PP16476)

http://ffsp.net

Meadowlark™ Meadowlark™ 'FL01-173' Meadowlark™ (PP21553) 'FL01-173' 'FL01-173' (PP21553) (PP21553)

Florida Foundation Seed Producers, Inc.

x¹ x¹ x

x¹ x x¹ x¹ x x¹ x¹ x x¹

x¹

x = Licensed for USA x¹ = Licensed for USA (excluding AZ, CA, OR, and WA)

Blueberry varieties developed by the University of Florida are patent protected Blueberry varieties developed by the under U.S.of Code 35. protected Anyone University Florida Title are patent Blueberry varieties developed by propagating their use the or under U.S. plants Code for Title 35.ownAnyone University of Florida are patent protected for sale is required be own licensed propagating plants fortotheir use by or under U.S. Code Title 35. Anyone Florida Producers, for sale Foundation is requiredSeed to be licensed Inc. by propagating plants for their own use or (FFSP). Additionally, packers, marketers, Florida Foundation Seed Producers, Inc. for sale is required tofrom be licensed by and sellers of fruit packers, the above (FFSP). Additionally, marketers, Florida Foundation Seed Producers, Inc. varieties can be forfrom selling fruitabove from and sellers ofliable fruit the (FFSP). Additionally, packers, illegally plants.marketers, As varieties canpropagated be liable for selling fruit from and sellers of fruit from the above of March 30, 2021 the above entities are illegally propagated plants. As varieties can be liable for selling fruit from theMarch only entities licensed for of 30, 2021 the above entities are illegally propagated plants. As legal and sale of plants the propagation only entities licensed for of March 30, 2021 the above are of the respective varieties. legal propagation and sale entities of Protect plants the entitiesvarieties. licensedProtect for yourself from of theonly respective legal propagation and sale of plants yourself from Ask the Question! of the respective varieties. Protect Ask the Question! yourself from

Ask the Question!

FloridaBlueberryGrowers.org

unknowingly purchasing illegal plants or fruit by askingpurchasing entities if they areplants licensed unknowingly illegal or to propagate if fruit has are come from fruit by askingand entities if they licensed unknowingly purchasing illegal plants or legal plants. Illegal is a direct to propagate and ifpropagation fruit has come from fruit entities if industry they areislicensed threat toasking the Illegal blueberry and the legal by plants. propagation a direct to propagate and if fruit has come from patent held by FFSP. threat torights the blueberry industry Royalties and the legal plants. Illegal propagation is a of direct generated are critical to the support the patent rights held by FFSP. Royalties threat to the blueberry industry and the Florida blueberry breeding program. If generated are critical to the support of the patent rights held by FFSP. Royalties you are interested obtaining a license or Florida blueberry in breeding program. If generated are critical to the support of the would to anonymously report illegal you arelike interested in obtaining a license or Florida blueberry breeding program. If propagation, contact: FFSP, Box would like toplease anonymously reportPO illegal you are Gainesville, interested obtaining a license or 110200, FL 32611,FFSP, Phone: propagation, pleaseincontact: PO 352Box would to anonymously 273-3656. 110200, like Gainesville, FL 32611,report Phone:illegal 352propagation, please contact: FFSP, PO Box 273-3656. 110200, Gainesville, FL 32611, Phone: 352273-3656.

“Are You Licensed?” “Are You Licensed?”

“Are You Licensed?” The Blueberry News | 39

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The Blueberry News Fall 2021

Articles inside

In the Know

The Latest on Hydrogen Cyanamide

Seasons of Change

Fueling Blueberry Demand and Consumption: USHBC’s 2021-25 Strategic Plan