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A8 • Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Blueberries in production surge in state, county Small Fruit Conference is wide-ranging update on many grower issues By Calvin Bratt editor@lyndentribune.com
WHATCOM — Blueberries are in such a growth pattern in Washington State that the challenge may be where to go with all the production. Acres planted in Whatcom County are estimated at 7,000, leading among the more than 18,000 acres statewide, said Alan Schreiber, administrator of the Washington Blueberry Commission, in Lynden on Nov. 30. The overall 2016 harvest, soon to be finalized, is likely to come in at around 120 million pounds, six times what it was 10 years ago, he said. He expects Whatcom’s 2016 production to be around 48 million pounds Schreiber was one presenter in the well-attended Small Fruit Conference and Lynden Ag Show occupying Washington Tractor Arena on the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds from Wednesday through noon Friday, Dec. 2. The annual event draws attendees from across the spectrum of those involved in all aspects of the berry growing industry locally. It’s an opportunity to catch up on all that can be reported on the state of the regional berry industries including promotion, research, hands-on practices, pesticides, land management and technology. Blueberries are rising in Whatcom County to the point that tonnage could eclipse what has long been the domi-
nant berry crop, red raspberries. While the raspberry continues to find new fans of its distinct color and flavor, the blueberry has ridden a tide of worldwide acclaim for its healthful qualities over the past decade. Schreiber, speaking to his growers’ commission meeting on Wednesday, estimated that full production from blueberry plantings already in the ground could push Washington past 200 million pounds in a few years. About three-fourths of blueberries and nearly all of raspberries produced in the Northwest end up being processed to be ingredients in other foods, not for fresh eating. At the annual meeting of the Washington Red Raspberry Commission on Thursday, it was reported that this year’s record harvest of 78 million pounds — after a much lower 52.8 million in 2015 — will allow a $405,000 budget for next year. Over half of that amount goes to horticultural research projects to help growers. The promotion of raspberries to consumers has been taken over by the National Processed Raspberry Council, which began in 2013. (see below) In general sessions of the Small Fruit Conference: • Two representatives of the Washington State Patrol got very specific about weight limits and the proper securing of loads of berries when being transported on public roads. • Derek Sandison, director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture since June 2015, spoke to various issues of concern to Whatcom farmers. He said he
Informational sessions of all types were a key part of the Small Fruit Conference Nov. 30 to Dec. 2 in Lynden. Also, berry-related equipment was on display in the concurrent Lynden Ag Show in Washington Tractor Arena. (Calvin Bratt/Lynden Tribune)
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