New York State has a little more than 700 acres of blueberries in production yielding about 2 million pounds of blueberries annually making it the 9th most important blueberry production state in the nation.  Increased consumer interest in dark colored fruit containing high amounts of healthful antioxidants has resulted in many more acres being planted over the past several years. This is despite the soil pH requirement of 4.5 that blueberries, a member of the acid-loving Ericaceae family require.

It takes nearly 8 years for blueberries to reach their mature production, but a well maintained planting can remain economically viable for up to 40 years or more yielding in excess of 10,000 lbs/acre. Ninety-five percent of this production is hand-picked and sold as fresh fruit with the remaining 5% going to value added products.

Highbush blueberries are grown throughout the majority of the state, but in northern NY and the Adirondacks, cultivars that are crosses between the Maine low-bush and northern high-bush blueberries result in a smaller bush that is much more winter hardy. The threat from late spring frosts remains a challenge to blueberry growers throughout the state. Blueberries have a relatively small pest complex making it a favorite berry for organic production.

For more information about blueberry production, visit the Cornell Berry website.


More Blueberries Content

2017 CCE LOF Spanish Summer Fruit Tour

July 22, 2017
Arriveal 12:45pm Tour Begins @ 1pm - 5pm
Geneva, NY

"The Science behind Horticulture"
What will Hispanic orchard workers learn in Geneva this year? Tour attendants will be welcomed and introduced to the Station by John Adams at the FRU facilities. There will be a tractor safety and a pesticide storage/handling demonstration session.

Online Sponsorship Opportunity for Lake Champlain study tour for the Young Fruit Farmers

August 8 - August 10, 2017

Now sponsors of the Lake Champlain study tour for next generation fruit growers can sponsor online via credit card.
Please click on view details for more information.
These options can also be accessed by going to Sponsorship at bottom of page.

National Apple Crop Insurance Policy Stakeholder Review Meeting

August 16, 2017
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Rochester, NY

>USDAs Risk Management Agency (RMA) is reviewing the National Apple Crop Insurance Policy for potential changes to be made in crop year 2018. RMA would like to meet with a focus group to discuss current policy issues and concerns. Apple producers, agents, and educators are all invited. RMA desires public input before any changes to the policy are made.

A PowerPoint will be presented that details the New York Apple policy performance and concerns. Experts from RMA's actuarial branch will be available to answer questions.

Online Evaluation Form - 2017 LOF Summer Tour

Fill Out an Evaluation Online - 2017 Summer Fruit Tour

https://cornell.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_erFb329sBrKA1Rr

2017 CCE-LOF Spanish Summer Fruit Tour

For more info and registration click here.

Sponsorship available here.

Young Fruit Farmer Study Tour Online Sponorship

Information & 3 level sponsorship opportunities here.

NRCC Funding Could be Reduced by 80%

NRCC Funding Could be Reduced by 80% - Contact Your Congress Now!
Art DeGaetano, Cornell University


The President's budget for FY 2018 drastically cuts funding for a large number of programs. The Northeast Regional Climate Center (NRCC) was not immune from these cuts and in fact faces an 80% reduction in funding. We are making our final push to assure that funds for the NRCC are maintained in the federal FY18 budget.

We are requesting that key NRCC stakeholders contact our supporters in the U.S. Congress to illustrate the breadth and value of the data services we provide. For over 30 years it has been through the support of Congress that the Regional Climate Centers have flourished. Feel free to use the attached template https://lof.cce.cornell.edu/submission.php?id=464&crumb=pests|pests
to get started.

It seems we may have a friend in Congresswoman Meng, from Queens so having people send a letter to her would be helpful.

They should also send their letter to their local representative, Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, as well as sending a copy to me (address below).

Finally hitting people from the Republican districts in the state would also help. I have met with staff from:

Collins (most of western NY outside of Rochester and Buffalo);
Reed;
Faso (Hudson Valley south of Albany and Catskills);
Stepanik (North Country)

So having them hear from someone in their district would be great.

The other republicans are

Zeldin (eastern end of Long Island)
King (southwest Suffolk County)
Donovan (mostly Staten Island)
Tennney (Oswego to Binghamton)
Katko (Syracuse west to Rochester)

Mechanical Blossom Thinning Video

Click link for Details.
Mechanical blossom thinning video and story.
https://lof.cce.cornell.edu/submission.php?id=449&crumb=crops|crops|apples|crop*38

Spray Mixing Instructions Considering TRV

Spray Mixing Instructions Considering Tree Row Volume - TRV

Spray Mixing Instructions Considering Tree Row Volume - TRV
Terence Robinson, Poliana Francescatto, Cornell University
Win Cowgill, Professor Emeritus, Rutgers University

Click below for full article:

https://rvpadmin.cce.cornell.edu/uploads/doc_569.pdf

Precision Chemical Thinning in 2017

Precision Chemical Thinning in 2017 for Gala and Honeycrisp

Poliana Francescatto, Craig Kahlke, Mario Miranda Sazo, Terence Robinson

full article pdf. available here: https://lof.cce.cornell.edu/submission.php?id=448&crumb=crops|crops|apples|crop*38

2017 Census of Agriculture

Producers who are new to farming or did not receive a Census of Agriculture in 2012 still have time to sign up to receive the 2017 Census of Agriculture report form by visiting www.agcensus.usda.gov and clicking on the ‘Make Sure You Are Counted' button through June. NASS defines a farm as any place from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the census year (2017).

For more information about the 2017 Census of Agriculture and to see how census data are used, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov or call (800) 727-9540.

"Visual Guide" for March Pruning

A Practical "Visual Guide" for March Pruning of Young and Semi-Young High Density Apple Plantings
Mario Miranda Sazo

The document is a practical and colorful visual guide that shows some important pruning cuts to better grow and train the "money makers" Gala, Honeycrisp, and Fuji trees. The pruning cut decisions are easy to follow and their objectives are simple.  More information and the guide can be found here: https://lof.cce.cornell.edu/submission.php?id=440&crumb=crops|crops|apples|crop*38

2017 LOF Winter Fruit School Presentations

2017 Winter Fruit School presentations that have been approved by the presenters are now available here https://lof.cce.cornell.edu/submission.php?id=425&crumb=crops|crops|apples|crop*38; past LOF Winter Fruit School presentations approved for public distribution can be found under the Apples at the bottom in a list.

Working with a Spanish Speaking Workforce

Please use the link below to watch a YouTube video in which Libby Eiholzer, Bilingual Dairy Specialist of the Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Team and Mario Sazo, Extension Associate of the Lake Ontario Fruit Program discuss Building Campus County Connections: Working with a Spanish Speaking Workforce.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YkXmboxStE&feature=youtu.be

2016 Apple Crop Survey Results

The 2016 Apple Crop Survey Results are now available.  Click here for results.

Apple System Payback Calculator Now Available!

Apple System Payback Calculator
You can down load this spreadsheet to help you calculate the return on investment for an orchard system you are considering to plant or invest in.

New York Apples and Hard Cider Classifieds

A new on-line classifieds has been launched to help apple growers and hard cider producers "connect" and conduct business. This website allows users to post items for sale and items for purchase. The site is not exclusive to growers and hard cider producers selling and buying to each other. The site can also be used for grower to grower business and hard cider producer to hard cider producer business. Click the following link to start the website: www.nyahcclassifieds.com. Click the following to download basic instructions on navigating the site: NYAHC Classifieds Notice