Organic Low Bush Blueberries

1. Organic Low
Bush Blueberries
Wayne Edgar

2. 1.
Goals
Describe organic
management of low
bush blueberries
Summarize
observations and
learning's related to the
transition to organic
blueberry production
Comment on marketing
issues and industry
dynamics

3. North of Nutby Farm
▣ A small mixed vegetable and low bush blueberry farm
▣ One acre of vegetables
▣ 1250 square foot hoop house
▣ Two eight acre low bush blueberry fields
▣ Fifty acre wood lot
▣ Location: North Colchester County in the Cobequid
Hills

4. North American low bush blueberry
yields—2013 to 2016; millions of pounds
2013 2014 2015 2016
PE 16 22 28 34
NS 37 62 65 60
NB 43 60 78 82
QC 32 77 50 110
ME 85 104 85 100
Total 233 325 306 386

5. More than 90% of
Canadian crops is
exported as IQF
Limited diversification in
the industry—three
processors dominate the
market
Industry profile
Actual international
sales—250 million pounds
2016 field price: $0.30 per
pound

6. Factors affecting low bush blueberry
yields
Site
35%
Year
20%
Management
practices and
inputs
45%

7. Growing organic – the Maine mantra
Burn
Sulphur; pH less than 5
Cut broad leaf plants
three times each year

8. Growing organic – amendments
Compost teas Crab shell lobster
shell
Gypsum (calcium
sulphate)
Rock dusts Other approved
amendments
Pollination support
1.
6.5.4.
3.2.

9. Growing organic – weed control or
reducing the competition
Vinegar
Sulphur
Mulching
Spot Burning
Mowing, cutting
& hand weeding

10. Growing organic – pest management
▣ Enhancing natural enemies
▣ Burning
▣ BT
▣ Some approved sprays
▣ Knowledge of field, regular trapping and sweeps
▣ Blueberry maggot fly and spotted wing drosophila
problems

11. Harvesting
Raking, push carts, walk
behind harvesters,
conventional tractor
mounted harvesters
Harvesting and cleaning
Cleaning
Industrial cleaning lines

12. The results

13. Growing organic
Our yield was below
the provincial
average
Field price to the
conventional grower:
$0.30/lb.
Our retail price:
$5.00/lb.
Net return: $1.00–
$1.50/lb.
There is a market for
certified organic low
bush blueberries
Economically viable
and great health
benefits

14. Our Farm in Pictures

15. Our Farm in Pictures

16. Thanks!Any questions?
You can find me at
wayneledgar@gmail.com