First Mechanical Harvest - U of S

This week preparations for the first mechanical harvesting of haskap at the U of S were made. A Joanna harvester was brought in, netting was taken down, and support posts removed. Some rows of haskap itself were also removed so that the machine could operate. (*Note: haskap plantings at the U of S are compact…made so as to best accommodate research practices, space utilization, and the needs of horticultural specialists and research technicians.)

Several rows of haskap were successfully mechanically harvested. The result was very encouraging, reported Dr. Bors. Haskap berries held up better than expected. Branches did not break even though the machine went down centre of the bushes.

At first glimpse it appeared that taller genotypes may have fared better in several respects than did short ones. Yesterday fruit was being sorted and further evaluated.

Government Contact Widget

At Haskap Day, Haskap Canada became aware of provincial field plots/incentives beginning to operate in other provinces. As a result we are adding a widget that provides provincial contact information regarding haskap in various provinces across Canada. If you are not listed we would be glad to list your province's information.

Prince Edward Island -

Innovation Officer, PEI Department of Agriculture, Stephanie MacDonald cultivates and implements commodity development and crop diversification projects on Prince Edward Island. She works with clients in agriculture and agri-food industries to enhance their innovation and entrepreneurship projects. Stephanie provides advice and researches new crop production practices. She is also the industry contact on PEI for many horticulture crops including strawberry, raspberry, currant, apple, grape and haskap.

Stephanie MacDonald
Agriculture Innovation Officer
PEI Dept. of Agriculture
440 University Ave.Charlottetown, PEI C1A 7N3
tel: 902-368-4862
cell: 902-314-5798

Alberta -

Robert Spencer, Commercial Horticulture Specialist, works with and supports horticulture crop producers in Alberta by providing information via phone, factsheets, newsletters, email, internet, fax, presentations and in-person (when possible). Rob tries to stay on top of developing crops and industries and pests/diseases issues.

Robert C.J. Spencer, B.S.A, M.Sc., P.Ag
Commercial Horticulture Specialist
Ag-Info Centre - Alberta Agriculture & Rural Development
310-FARM (3276) or 1-866-882-7677 or (403) 742-7563
Fax: (403) 742-7527

Sand Point, Idaho Cultivar Research

A new article has just been posted from the Sand Point Research Station (University of Idaho) which is seeking to develop climate-appropriate blue honeysuckle cultivars: http://www.cals.uidaho.edu/sandpoint/Haskaps.htm.

PCDF Field Day, 2009, Roblin, Manitoba

Yesterday the Parkland Crop Diversification Foundation (PCDF) held its annual field day near Roblin, Manitoba. Starting with a barbecue, plot tours followed through the rest of the afternoon. Plots included demonstrations on: ancient grain, barley, wheat, hemp, forages, nitrogen runways, and canola. Development researchers presented their work and assisted participants in understanding and interpreting what they were seeing.

Jeff Kostuik is the head Diversification Technician for the site [http://www.mts.net/~pcdfnw/aboutus.htm] and did a great job coordinating the day.

Dave Negrych, president of Haskap Canada and a haskap producer himself (http://haskapwine.blogspot.com/2009/07/dave-negrych-haskap-producer.html), had been invited to give a presentation regarding PCDF's recently planted demonstration plot of haskap. Dave explained his initial attraction to the plant, the industry's development, and the plant's characteristics. He brought blue honeysuckle berries for desert at the day's barbecue.

Haskap Demo Plots /Field Days, 2009

Numerous governmental agencies are beginning to run test /demonstration plots of haskap across Canada this year. If you know of field days being run in your area, please contact us so that we can alert others.

Potential haskap producers near the Parkland region can attend a field day near Roblin, Manitoba tomorrow, Wednesday, July 22nd. Potential growers may also attend a field day in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, on July 23rd. Haskap plantings are parts of these tours. Here's the information:

Field Day - Roblin, Manitoba

Roblin Manitoba - Parkland Crop Diversification Foundation's (PCDF) annual field day is Wednesday July 22, 2009. Starting with a barbecue at noon followed by plot tours. The haskap demo plot will be included in the tour. For more information contact Jeff Kostuik, Diversification Technician 204-773-6178, http://www.mts.net/~pcdfnw/aboutus.htm

Field Day - Portage la Prairie, Manitoba

The Crop Research Organization of Portage, the Canada Manitoba Crop Diversification Centre and Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives will be holding a Field Day on July 23 at 370 River Rd. in Portage la Prairie, beginning at 3 p.m. by touring the C.R.O.P., CMCDC and MAFRI trials and plots. The tour will cover fruit orchard production — sea buckthorn, saskatoons, strawberries, apricots, haskap, hazelnut and the alternative crops hops and artichoke. For more information, contact the Portage MAFRI office at 239-3353.

University of Saskatchewan's Haskap Day, 2009: Images

Field tours...

Plant evaluation...

Late-season berry production...

Native blue honeysuckle acquisitions...

Industry representation...

Rick Sawatzky, Horticulture Field Lab

Bob Bors, Department of Plant Science

Haskap Sales 2009

Netted Russian Blue Honeysuckles and a prairie sunset

Based on the numbers that have been reported from propagators it is possible that haskap plant sales in 2009 may range from 200,000 to 300,000 plants. This number is derived from the reports of 4 major propagators. It currently appears that approximately 30% of these orders are from Quebec and the Maritime provinces and 70% are from the Prairie provinces.

We hope to see many of you tomorrow at Haskap Day ( http://haskap-canada.blogspot.com/2009/05/haskap-day-2009.html )!

P.E.I. Promotes The Possibility Of Haskap

Here are two nicely written articles recently published by the government of Prince Edward Island on the possibility of haskap production there...

Have You Heard Of Haskap?, http://www.gov.pe.ca/photos/original/af_FFnewsapr09.pdf, and, Haskap Berries A New Commercial Fruit For Prince Edward Island, http://www.peiadapt.com/2009/2apr09.pdf.