Berries

Ask anyone in the tree fruit, berry or vegetable industries, they’ll tell you all about the high labor costs associated with their labor-intensive commodities.  A recent USDA study looked at those costs and what can be done to help producers with their bottom line.   “There...

On Wednesday, the North American Blueberry Council announced it’s board of directors, which includes new president Pat Goin of Goin’s Blueberry Lane in Indiana.  Starting in 2023, the board has been expanded from six to 15 members.   The NABC boa...

For the first time since 2017, the USDA has tracked the business of pollinators.   In 2022, paid pollinated acres increased by 5.4% for cherries, but decreased for apple (10.3%), peaches (48.3%) and pears (3.4%).  The price per acre increased 35.6% for apples ...

Fall Creek Farm & Nursery has signed on as the exclusive sponsor of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council’s Blueberry Leadership Program.  USHBC said this gives fellows an in-depth look into up-and-coming genetic innovations within the industry.  Fall Creek Farm &...

The blueberry industry is no longer a multi-regional market but has become a global market amidst supply-chain issues.  Senior Analyst in Horticulture David Magaña is one of the key researchers in a recent Rabobank study tracking the progression of the blueberry industry over the past decade.   In shor...

Governor Kate Brown wrapped up her trade mission to Asia Tuesday.  South Korea is Oregon’s third largest export market for food and agricultural products, and no country the Governor pointed out buys more Oregon blueberries.  And Brown said she thinks there’s room for growth and expansion.   “Oregon blueberries ar...

The blueberry season is peaking for Northwest producers.  Brian Bocock, Vice President of Product Management at Naturipe Farms, said the season started slow this year but ramped up as growers began picking the Duke variety.  According to Bocock, the quantity has been good so far but yields have been a challenge. "The ...

Thanks to research at UC Davis, strawberry losses from Fusarium wilt could be greatly reduced.  Researchers say they have discovered genes that are resistant to the deadly soil-borne disease. The problem started when the fumigant used to protect soil from the disease, methyl bromide, became illegal.  In the ...

As we start to reach the final stages of our Northwest Farm Credit Services quarterly commodity snapshot series, today we look at fisheries, forest products and the greenhouse and nursery industry.  Bill Perry, Vice President with NWFCS said their 12-month outlook foresees fisheries being profitable. “Dema...

What does this year's cranberry production look like nationwide and in major cranberry production states? According to USDA numbers, cranberry consumption has grown in recent years, from holiday time only, to year round. When it comes to the size of this year's cranberry crop ...