Cranberries: Observations From the Field
We usually spend the 2nd and 3rd weeks in May doing some spot checks and answering field questions. This year a lot of growers are under water due to the extended frost forecasts. While some are under water, many are using irrigation to frost protect because they have renovation projects, conducted moss control, recently applied herbicides or had other situations that did not justify flooding. During our spot checks this week (May 11, 2020) both methods are showing healthy buds. Keep in mind, frost damage is more obvious a couple days after it occurs. We will continue to monitor bud development in both situations.
The frost nights have been stressful, but one positive thing about April was that Wisconsin had around 15 perfect renovations days. Growers are really making progress on renovations this year! Some vines were already planted the first week of May. The last couple years we have seen wet, cold springs–so we haven’t seen these early planting dates in a while.
While we wait for the weather to warm up we have another project going on. We are joining 3 growers as Nematode “Citizen Science Cooperators”. We will be working with Shawn Steffan in developing a nematode system. We will focus on rearing, application timing, and procedure for Cranberry Flea Beetle control. With market restrictions and late season spraying, we really need another option for Cranberry Flea Beetle. Having an option of a biological insecticide to use against what is becoming one of our number one cranberry pests is a great alternative. The cooperation of growers and consultants during these early stages will hopefully bring the Nematodes into practice sooner.
