7 Supplemental Information

Contents

7.1 Bird Management 1

7.2 Rodent Management 1

7.3 Deer Management 1

7.4 Harvesting, Handling, and Transportation Guidelines. 1

7.5 Postharvest Considerations. 1

7.6 Transporting Berries to Market 2

7.7 Useful Web Sites. 2

7.8 Extension Specialists. 2

7.9 Extension Faculty and Statewide Specialists. 4

7.10 Related Resources. 5

 

7.1 Bird Management

Damage to fruit by birds is a serious problem in many areas of New York. Visual scare devices such as whirlers, streamers, reflectors, and plastic hawk and owl models are seldom effective if used alone. They should be supplemented with sound devices such as exploders, alarms, or recorded devices. For sound devices to be effective, their location and the frequency of sounds should be changed daily. They also should be in place before the fruit ripens. The most effective sound device is Bird-Gard with species-specific bird distress calls programmed into the device. One unit with 4 speakers is effective on 10 acres. Some towns have passed ordinances regulating the use of sound devices.

 

Several types of netting, such as plastic, nylon, cotton, and polyethylene, are marketed for protecting fruits. A lightweight acrylic netting that can be draped directly over plants is available. It does not require support and it does not interfere with sunlight, pollination, or growth. Most netting is expensive, but it can be reused for many years.

 

Some growers are finding success repelling bird with newer formulations of methyl anthranilate (Fruit Shield and Goose Chase, EPA Reg. No. 66550-1-8708). Methyl anthranilate is an aromatic acid ester that occurs naturally in grapes. Synthetic methyl anthranilate is a food-grade compound that is used to impart “grape” flavor. Apparently, this flavor is offensive to birds, and they will not eat vegetation treated with it.

 

7.2 Rodent Management

Various rodents can damage a small-fruit planting, especially as they feed under bark in the winter. Closely mowing the area around the planting and between the aisles in early November will reduce the habitat for voles and mice. The habitats (woodlots) of predators that feed on rodents (hawks, owls, foxes) should be protected around the area. A number of poisonous baits are labeled for use in agricultural areas. To be most effective, baits should be placed in feeding stations that exclude large animals and are replenished throughout the winter.

 

7.3 Deer Management

Deer populations are at an all time high, and they can devastate berry plantings, particularly strawberries that retain leaves throughout the year. Multiple strategies are required to discourage deer from feeding on berry plantings. Refer to Reducing Deer Damage to Home Gardens and Landscape Plantings by P. Curtis and M. Richmond for recommended methods.

 

7.4 Harvesting, Handling, and Transportation Guidelines

Raspberries and strawberries ripen quickly; so harvesting the same planting frequently (once every two days) is critical. Fruit harvested before it is fully ripe will have a much longer shelf life than fully ripe or overripe fruit. The optimum stage of maturity for the raspberry occurs when the berry first becomes completely red, but before any darker hues develop. Strawberries with a white tip will retain their firmness much longer than those harvested fully ripe, and will lose less water during storage. Blueberries turn blue before they are at their peak of flavor and sweetness. Some training may be required to teach pickers the proper stage and appearance for harvesting. Fruit quality for fresh market raspberries usually declines as the season progresses. Be sure the marketing channels are open before the first berries ripen, as these will likely have the highest quality and largest size for the season.

 

Avoid touching a berry before it is ready for harvest. Place only undamaged berries with good appearance in the pack. Studies have found that the magnitude of injury caused by human pickers can be so great as to mask any other causes of deterioration.

 

Overripe berries are susceptible to fungi that cause molding. Once the fungus growing within overripe berries sporulates, large amounts of inoculum will be present to infect other ripening fruit. Overripe berries also attract ants, wasps, and other pests. Do not dispose of rotten berries near the field, and pick them off the bushes. It may be more economical in the long run to pay pickers for harvesting rotten as well as marketable fruit. One could pay an hourly wage to a worker for harvesting only rotten berries so the other pickers will be less likely to harvest rotten berries with their marketable berries thereby spreading fungal spores to uninfected fruit.

 

Harvest directly into small containers. Use half-pints for raspberries and blackberries, and pints for the other small fruit crops. Wide, shallow containers are better than deep containers. Check with the buyer to determine what type of container is preferable; each type has advantages and disadvantages. The pulp containers are inexpensive, but stain easily. Wooden containers also stain and are expensive. Solid clear plastic (polystyrene) containers will not stain, significantly reduce moisture loss when used with a cap, allow customers to see all the berries they purchase, and are inexpensive; however, juice can accumulate at the bottom. It is difficult to cool berries in either of these types, and mold tends to develop on the lower berries. The slotted plastic containers allow for rapid cooling, do not stain, and do not accumulate juice; however, if the slots are too wide, berries can be damaged. Large wholesalers, often use a narrowly slotted, plastic half-pint container with a plastic wrap.

 

7.5 Postharvest Considerations

Much time and effort can be expended to produce and harvest a good crop of berries, only to have the crop deteriorate before it is sold. This deterioration is caused by respiration of the fruit. Respiration occurs in all living organisms and is the process by which food reserves are converted into energy. Respiration of fruits results in shrinkage and reduced sweetness. Raspberries and blackberries have a higher respiration rate than any other fruits, while strawberries follow closely.

 

Temperature is the easiest and most effective condition to modify for extended storage of fruits. Some large shippers on the West Coast use a high carbon dioxide atmosphere, and there have been some attempts to use low oxygen storage, much like is done with apples. In small fruits, however, bad-tasting aldehydes and alcohols will accumulate in the fruit when oxygen is limited, particularly with certain varieties. Work is currently being conducted on over wraps that accumulate carbon dioxide in the pack, but even this new technology is not very effective without good temperature management.

 

A 10°F reduction in temperature reduces the respiration rate by approximately 50%. Furthermore, at 77°F and 30% relative humidity, fruit will lose water 35 times faster than it would at 32°F and 90% relative humidity. Prompt cooling, and maintenance of proper temperatures and humidity, is essential.

 

The cooling process should occur in two stages. Simply setting harvested berries in a cold room is not adequate because the field heat is not removed fast enough. Rapid movement of cold, humid air through the berries is essential during the first few hours after harvest. Brokers contend that for every hour delay in cooling, shelf life is reduced by one day. Growers can take advantage of night cooling by harvesting fruit as early in the morning as possible.

 

Large growers may have a separate pre-cooling facility specifically designed for removing the field heat, but inexpensive, effective improvisations can be adapted for any cold storage. If a grower only has a walk-in cooler, recently picked flats of berries can be set into a cardboard box that is opened at both ends. A household fan is then placed at one end of the box to draw air through the flats. Once the berries are cool, flats are removed from the cardboard and wrapped in plastic. The plastic will reduce water loss during storage, and prevent condensation on the berries when flats are removed from the cooler. The plastic should not be removed until the temperature of the berries warms to near the temperature of the display. Condensation will then form only on the outside of the plastic, while the berries inside will remain dry.

 

The storage room itself can be maintained as low as 30°F. Berries will not freeze at or above this temperature because the sugars in the fruit depress the freezing point. One may want to maintain the storage at a slightly warmer temperature (32°F) to allow some room for error. Major shippers, however, report that storage at 40°F reduces shelf life by 50% compared to 30°F.

 

The selection of a cooling unit is very important when designing a cooler. If the temperature difference between the air and the cooling unit is large, then the condensers will accumulate ice from moisture in the air. This drying of the air would not cause a problem for dry goods, but will severely dehydrate fruit. The atmosphere around the fruit should be humid to prevent shrinkage, so a cooler should be selected which can maintain a relative humidity of 90-95% at 32°F. These types of coolers are more expensive and less common than those for dry goods. Consult your agricultural engineering specialist for help with selecting a cooling unit and building a storage facility.

 

7.6 Transporting Berries to Market

The loss of soft fruits such as raspberries and strawberries from harvest to the consumer’s table is estimated at more than 40%. A 14% loss occurs from farmer to wholesaler, a 6% loss occurs from wholesaler to retailer, and 22% is lost between the retailer and consumer. Much of these losses are due to poor handling of berries after harvest.

 

There are many steps in the distribution chain that can negatively affect fruit quality. A typical handling scheme might be transporting berries from the field to the pre-cooler, wrapping flats after pre-cooling, loading into a refrigerated truck, transporting to a distribution center, unloading into the warehouse, loading into a truck, transporting to retail store, unloading, handling in the backroom, and setting up the display. Mishandling at any point along this route can result in unacceptable berries.

 

Work to minimize the number of handling steps from field to display. Berries should remain cold and wrapped during each phase of transportation. Never allow the berries to sit on unrefrigerated loading docks. When loading a truck, stack flats on a palette and away from the walls. Ensure that cold air is free to circulate around the sides of the palette and across the top and bottom. When flats of fruit are allowed to touch the floor or sidewalls, temperatures in the flats can rise as much as 20°F. Do not stack flats directly over the rear wheels, and use strapping or stretch film to stabilize the load. Refrigerated trucks should be equipped with air-suspension systems rather than spring systems to reduce transit vibrations.

 

Most mechanical refrigeration equipment in current use is designed to maintain temperature, but lacks the air flow and refrigeration capacity for rapid cooling. Temperature regulating equipment in trucks does not have the accuracy to achieve temperatures below 40°F without danger of freezing. Furthermore, high-density loads are used to minimize transportation costs, but this inhibits cooling during transit. Thorough product cooling before loading is very important.

 

Allow berries to warm only when they are ready for display to consumers, and before removing the plastic wrap over the flats. Any condensation will then form on the plastic wrap rather than on the berries inside. Often the transportation of berries is beyond the control of the grower. To develop new and distant markets, receivers must be educated in proper handling procedures. Personal contact with the receiver before the first delivery is often useful. In other cases, handling instructions may be attached to the flats.

 

By using proper harvesting and storage techniques, it is possible to maintain quality raspberries for 7 days after harvest, and strawberries for 2 weeks. Blueberries can be maintained for 3 weeks after harvest. This is certainly enough time for growers to take advantage of distant markets throughout North America.

 

7.7 Useful Web Sites
2008 Pest Management Guidelines for Berry Crops http://ipmguidelines.org/berrycrops An on-line version of this publication.	IPM Fact Sheets for Berry Crops http://www.nysipm.cornell.edu/factsheets/berries/
Cornell Fruit Website http://www.fruit.cornell.edu A comprehensive list of electronic resources and publications on horticultural subjects, including berry crops.	New York Berry News http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/pp/extension/tfabp/newslett.shtml An on-line small fruit newsletter featuring berry–related news, views, and research information for New York and the northeastern United States.
Nursery Guide http://www.fruit.cornell.edu/Berries/nurseries/ A comprehensive list of small fruit cultivars and the nurseries that sell them.	Food Safety http://www.gaps.cornell.edu/ Practical steps that a grower can take to minimize the risks of bacterial contamination of produce.
Berry Diagnostic Tool http://www.hort.cornell.edu/diagnostic A pictorial aid to diagnosing physiological disorders and pest problems of berry crops.	National Clonal Germplasm Repository for Berry Crops http://www.ars.usda.gov/main/site_main.htm?modecode=53581500 World’s largest collection of varieties and selections of berry crops.
The Tree Fruit and Berry Pathology Website http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/pp/extension/tfabp/	New York State Berry Growers Association http://www.hort.cornell.edu/grower/nybga/
New York State IPM Program http://www.nysipm.cornell.edu	Wildlife Management Information http://wildlifecontrol.info
New York State Pesticide Product Registrations http://pmep.cce.cornell.edu/pims/

 

7.8 Extension Specialists
Table 7.8.1. Regional berry specialists located in New York State.
Regional specialists	County or region	Phone/email
Deborah Breth Lake Ontario Fruit Team CCE of Orleans County 20 South Main Street Albion, NY 14411-0150	Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Wayne	(585) 589-5561 dib1@cornell.edu
Alison DeMarree Lake Ontario Fruit Team CCE of Wayne County 1581 Rt. 88 North Newark, NY 14513-973	Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Wayne	(315) 331-8415 amd15@cornell.edu
Cathy Heidenreich NYSAES Cornell 630 West North Street Geneva, NY 14456	Western New York: Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga. Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Oswego, Seneca, Steuben, Wyoming, Yates	(315) 787-2367 mcm4@cornell.edu
Kevin Iungerman NE New York Fruit Program Saratoga Co. Coop. Ext. 50 West High St. Ballston Spa, NY 12020-1992	Albany, Clinton, Essex, Saratoga, Washington	(518) 885-8995 kai3@cornell.edu
Craig Kahlke Lake Ontario Fruit Team CCE of Niagara County 4487 Lake Ave Lockport, NY 14094	Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Wayne	(716) 433-8839 ext.237 cjk37@cornell.edu
Laura McDermott CCE of Washington County 415 Lower Main St. Hudson Falls, NY 12839	Eastern New York: Bronx, Delaware, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Kings, Montgomery, Nassau, New York, Otsego, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Schenectady, Schoharie, St. Lawrence, Suffolk, Sullivan, Warren, Westchester, Yonkers	(518) 746-2560 lgm4@cornell.edu
Steven McKay Hudson Valley Fruit Program 479 Rt. 66 Hudson, NY 12534-9706	Columbia, Duchess, Rensselaer, Orange, Ulster	(518) 828-3346 sam44@cornell.edu
Jason Osborne Lake Ontario Fruit Team CCE of Wayne County 581 NYS Rt.88N Newark, NY 14513	Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Wayne	(315) 331-8415 jlo25@cornell.edu
Molly Shaw South Central NY Agriculture Team 56 Main Street Owego, NY 13927	Chemung, Cortland, Schuyler, Tioga, Tompkins	(607) 687-4020 meh39@cornell.edu

 

 

7.9 Extension Faculty and Statewide Specialists
Table 7.9.1. Extension Faculty and Statewide Specialists
Faculty member	Area of specialization	Phone/email
James Bartsch Dept. of Agricultural and Biological Engineering Cornell University Ithaca	Fruit storage facilities	(607) 255-2800 jab35@cornell.edu
Juliet Carroll NYS IPM Program NYS Agricultural Experiment Station Geneva	Fruit-IPM, Berry diseases	(315) 787-2430 jec3@cornell.edu
Kerik Cox Dept. of Plant Pathology NYS Agricultural Experiment Station Geneva	Tree fruit and berry pathology	(315) 787-2401 kdc33@cornell.edu
Paul Curtis Department of Natural Resources Cornell University Ithaca	Wildlife management	(607) 255-2835 pdc1@cornell.edu
Larry Geohring Dept. of Agricultural and Biological Engineering Cornell University Ithaca	Water management, irrigation	(607) 255-3156 ldg5@cornell.edu
Greg Loeb Dept. of Entomology NYS Agricultural Experiment Station Geneva	Berry and grape insect pests	(315) 787-2345 gme1@cornell.edu
Olga Padilla-Zakour NYS Food Venture Center NYS Agricultural Experiment Station Geneva	Fruit processing, processing regulations	(315) 787-2259 dip1@cornell.edu
Pesticide Management Education Program Comstock Hall Cornell University Ithaca	Pesticide registration information	(607) 255-1866 (607) 257-5706 wgs1@cornell.edu http://pmep.cce.cornell.edu
Marvin Pritts Dept. of Horticulture Cornell University Ithaca	Berry culture, nutrition, weed control	(607) 255-1778 mpp3@cornell.edu
Chris Watkins Dept. of Horticulture Cornell University Ithaca	Postharvest handling	(607) 255-1784 cbw3@cornell.edu
Courtney Weber Dept. of Horticultural Sciences NYS Agricultural Experiment Station Geneva	Cultivar development	(315) 787-2395 caw34@cornell.edu
Gerald White Dept. of Applied Economics and Management Cornell University Ithaca	Farm business management	(607) 255-2299 gbw2@cornell.edu

 

7.10 Related Resources
The following resources were selected to complement the information in this publication. A series of Small Fruit publications provides basic information on many pests and diseases including life cycle and suggested management practices. Most contain full color photographs to aid in positive identification of pests or diseases. These resources may be available from your Cornell Cooperative Extension Office or order on line at: http://www.nraes.org/.
Bramble Production Guide	NRAES-35	$45.00
The 116 color photos will help the serious hobbyist and established grower identify and diagnose bramble problems. Includes sections on site selection and preparation, plant selection, planting, pest and weed control, irrigation, economics, and marketing. 188 pp. (Revised version forthcoming in 2007)
Strawberry Production Guide	NRAES-88	$45.00
A comprehensive resource for the commercial strawberry grower. Contains hundreds of photos, many tables, and a budgeting spreadsheet. 162pp.
Highbush Blueberry Production Guide	NRAES-55	$48.00
Includes 168 color photos of blueberry varieties, diseases, pests, and growing techniques. Tables help to determine the financial feasibility of a planting. A key helps identify and diagnose blueberry problems and refers to relevant pests and photos. Includes work sheets for determining nutritional needs. Includes 3-ring binder. 200 pp.