Crop Management

What is IPM and how do Blueberry Growers Use It?

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a decision-making process for managing pests (of all types) in agriculture in an economic and environmentally friendly way.  An IPM program in blueberries involves the following steps:

  • Monitoring fields for pests on a regular basis.
  • Identifying pests and their natural enemies (predators and parasitoids) in individual fields and quantifying their numbers of damage.
  • Using thresholds to determine whether pest control is warranted.  The decision to control a pest is based on the value of potential crop loss, the cost of the control measure, and the impact on the environment and non-target organisms (pollinators and other wildlife).
  • Using a combination of techniques to control pests such as cultural controls (pruning, mulching), biological controls (beneficial insects or microorganisms) and chemical controls (pesticides) to reduce pest populations to acceptable levels.
  • Evaluating the results of pest control measures to determine if they were effective.

 

Blueberries on Bush

 

The BC Blueberry Council is a strong supporter of Integrated Pest Management and Crop Management practices for the industry.  Currently funded and past-funded projects include:

  • Blueberry IPM Newsletter (2006 to present):  a weekly pest monitoring update based on field monitoring in all regions of the Fraser Valley, produced by E.S. Cropconsult Ltd. and available to all growers.
  • Annual sponsor of the Small Fruit Update, a weekly newsletter for the Northwest berry industry that features regional crop reports and pest management updates, produced by the Northwest Berry Foundation.
  • Field Guide To Identification of Insect Pests, Diseases, and other Disorders in Blueberries, a photo resource for growers and field consultants to identify insects, diseases and beneficial insects in their fields.
  • Managing Extreme Heat with Reflective Tarps in the Blueberry Industry, a demonstration project for growers and packers.
  • Free Scorch and Shock Virus testing for blueberry growers
  • Pest Management and Vole Management Outreach videos