2018 Strawberry Season Update #4 Renovation

The June-bearing strawberry harvest has ended, and now it's time to renovate. The main purpose of renovating is to re-establish  a healthy, vigorous stand of plants so that there is a high yield potential for the next crop. Fruit bud initiation begins in mid-August so it crucial to renovate as soon as possible after harvest to optimize this process. Renovating also gives an opportunity to control weed problems in the field

Post-emergent herbicide applications can be used before and after mowing depending on the product being used and the target weed. For information on products available please refer to Perennia's Guide to Weed Management in Strawberry or New Brunswick's Strawberry IPM Weed Management Guide.

Mowing strawberry leaves is the next step in renovating, which stimulates early initiation of fruit buds, controls plant density resulting in larger fruit size, and can reduce inoculum levels for certain leaf diseases and botrytis fruit rot. Following mowing, fertilizer should be applied and adequate soil moisture levels maintained (through either irrigation or rainfall) to support new growth. For more information on renovating strawberries please refer to Perennia's Five Renovation Steps for Strawberries.     

New Product Registrations - March 2018

Agri-Réseau is a resource available through The Centre de référence en agriculture et agroalimentaire du Québec (CRAAQ).  Every month, they publish a list of new phytoprotection registrations.  At Perennia, we are fortunate to have Mélanie Leclerc as part of our staff, and she has translated the March list of new pesticide registrations for Fruit Trees, Field Crops, Vegetables, Greenhouse, Berries, Ornamental, and"Other" (hops, hemp, quinoa, and basil), which can be found here.

For caneberries, the main excitement lies in the registration of Indaziflam for weed control and Oxathiapiprolin for control of phytophthera sp. root rot.  To see more details on the products please click the link above.

I would just like to highlight that several of these products have been registered as a direct result of the Minor Use Priority Setting process.  Perennia holds regional grower consultations every November/ December that allow NS growers to have a voice in the National selection process. For example, Oxathiapiprolin was selected as a national priority in 2012 and we have now received registration!  Your voice counts!

1st Annual Strawberry Twilight Meeting

Dates and Locations

Spurr Brothers Farm, Bridge St., Melvern Square – Thursday April 27, 2017 6:00 pm
Millen Farms, 20 Little Dyke Road, Great Village – Thursday May 4, 2017 6:00 pm

Description

Please join us for an evening of food, fun and information at the 1st Annual Strawberry Twilight Meeting. Feel free to bring along specimens (insects, diseased plants, weeds etc.) for identification and discussion.

Small Fruit Specialist, Jen Haverstock, with Perennia Food & Agriculture is hosting an informal “Ask the experts” session, with special guests:

Erika Bent, Entomologist, APM Agricultural Pest Monitoring Consulting Ltd.
Dr. Paul Hildebrand, Pathologist, Hildebrand Disease Management
Angela Gourd, Plant Protection Coordinator - Weeds, Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture

Every farm will receive a copy of the “Diseases, Pests and Beneficial Organisms of Strawberry, Raspberry and Blueberry – pocket guide” from CRAAQ and the new “Plant Nutrient Deficiency Guide”

This meeting will be held rain or shine, so please dress accordingly. Refreshments will be provided. Attendance at the meeting will quality for 1.5 PRCP credits; please bring your applicators license.

There is no registration fee, but please let us know if you will be coming so we can be prepared with booklets and snacks. To RSVP please call Gail at 902-678-7722 or email gwalsh@perennia a week before the meeting you wish to attend. For program information, contact Jen Haverstock jhaverstock@perennia.ca.

New Tools in the Toolbox for 2016!

After a day like today I am sure everyone is itching to get on the fields.  Before you head out be sure to check out some of the new products available to control pests in caneberries.

Movento® 240 SC (Group 23 Insecticide) for control of Aphids in caneberry, including blackberry, raspberry (red and black), wild raspberry as well as cultivars, varieties and/or hybrids of these crops.
Cueva® Commercial (Group M1 Fungicide) for control of Bacterial blight on raspberry and blackberry.
Kasumin® 2L (Group 24 Bactericide) Fire Blight in caneberry, including blackberry, raspberry (red and black), wild raspberry as well as cultivars, varieties and/or hybrids of these crops.

PMRA Information Note Regarding Pesticide Use in High Tunnels – Please refer to the link for complete information.  “Pesticides currently registered in Canada have not been specifically assessed for use in high tunnels. While the PMRA is developing a regulatory position, the application of pesticide products registered to manage specific pests on crops grown in field and/or greenhouses will be permitted for use in high tunnels, unless stated otherwise on the label.”

Updated 2016 Perennia Pest Management Guides available April 2016!!!
Raspberry Insect & Disease Management Schedule 2016 
Guide to Weed Management in Raspberry 2016

New Tools in the Toolbox!

As things thaw and everyone gets into the fields I thought it would be a good time to update you on a few products that have been registered for strawberries since the 2015 season.

Cueva® Commercial (Group M1 Fungicide) for control of Powdery Mildew on strawberry.  

Assail® 70WP Insecticide (Group 4 Insecticide) for control of Aphids, Leaf hoppers, and Tarnished Plant Bugs on strawberry. 

Kenja™ 400SC Fungicide (Group 7 Insecticide) for control of Botrytis Grey Mold on strawberry.

Beleaf™ 50SG Insecticide (Group 9C Insecticide) for control of Aphids and suppression of Lygus bugs in both field and greenhouse strawberry.

PMRA Information Note Regarding Pesticide Use in High Tunnels – Please refer to the link for complete information.  “Pesticides currently registered in Canada have not been specifically assessed for use in high tunnels. While the PMRA is developing a regulatory position, the application of pesticide products registered to manage specific pests on crops grown in field and/or greenhouses will be permitted for use in high tunnels, unless stated otherwise on the label.”

Updated 2016 Perennia Pest Management Guides available April 2016!!!

Strawberry Insect & Disease Management Schedule 2016

Guide to Weed Management in Strawberry 2016

New Fact Sheet on Common Groundsel Management in Strawberries