Seth M. Rice

Here in central Wisconsin our bloom progressed rapidly. It is nothing to see 10% a day! Some growers were calling their beekeepers to bring them even earlier than planned. With the fast bloom comes everything else that comes our way during the growing season. With our fungicide and insecticide applications are getting even closer together, switching from fungicide to insecticide applications back and forth can be exhausting but necessary. We have had some BHFW pressure on some marshes as well as fruit worm across the region. Everybody is still on the lookout for that Blunt-Nosed Leafhopper and our IPM programs that are in place are doing a great job!

We can see pinheads on our hybrids already with our Steven’s not to far behind. Last week some growers around Wisconsin Rapids got hit pretty hard with hail. We were lucky enough to be spared this round. I have always heard the saying that “Farmers are the biggest gamblers”. The older I get and the more time I spend in the agriculture industry, I realize how true that really is. Also we have got some relief from the heat wave with some rain that not just the cranberry industry needed but all of agriculture needed. Fertilizer applications are starting to take place with pinheads showing. With some growers taking a hit with the hail, fertilizer plans may change accordingly. Try to make the most of it!

This article was posted in Cranberry and tagged Cranberries, grower update.