Welcome to the UMass Cranberry Station

The UMass Cranberry Station, a research and extension center of UMass-Amherst, is located in the heart of the cranberry growing region. Our facilities include an 11-acre research cranberry bog, greenhouse, and laboratories. The Cranberry Station personnel includes specialists in Plant Pathology, Entomology, Environmental Physiology, Plant Nutrition/Cultural Practices, Weed Science/Integrated Pest Management, and Floriculture. In addition, we are often joined by visiting scientists, graduate students, and undergraduate summer assistants from area colleges and universities. The Station ranks as a leader in the United States and worldwide for research and outreach programs on cranberry culture.

Mission statement: The mission of the UMass Cranberry Station is to maintain and enhance the economic viability of the Massachusetts cranberry industry through research and extension and to serve the public welfare by supporting economic development and protection of the environment.

2009 IPM Message
Ext. 60
Newest message:
August 4, 2009

10/7/09 In response to concerns about recent contamination outbreaks for tomatoes and spinach, the USDA Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Training Program will be offered on December 3, from 12:45-4:45 at the Cape Codder in Hyannis. This program is sponsored by UMass Extension, UMass Department of Nutrition and the MA Dept. of Agricultural Resources. For details, click on the link above. There is also a second session of the same workshop at the New England Vegetable and Fruit conference in New Hampshire on December 14. Both sessions require preregistration. Information available at the links.

10/6/09 Now available by clicking on the link: Cranberry Bog Best Management Practices in Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina) Habitat. This BMP was a joint effort between the Natural Heritage Endangered  Species Program, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife with editors:  Natural Resources Conservation Service and the University of Massachusetts Cranberry Station.

9/11/09 September 2009 newsletter now available. Includes information about Yellow Vine, Fall Fertilizer, Quinstar 4L for dodder control, NACREW meeting, Water Management Act, and Soil and Tissue Testing.

9/9/09 Soil and Tissue Testing
It is the time of year for soil and tissue testing. Instructions for how to sample are in the Nutrition Section of the Chart Book. Also refer to the Tissue Testing Fact Sheet. Samples can be analyzed at the UMass Soil and Plant Tissue Laboratory on the Amherst Campus. The links below take you to the instructions for sending, with prices.

For the UMass lab tissue testing instruction sheet with prices (you want "with Nitrogen")
http://www.umass.edu/plsoils/soiltest/Tissue2009.pdf

For the UMass testing lab -- soil test pamphlet (you want test "C")
http://www.umass.edu/plsoils/soiltest/soilbrochure2009.pdf

For the UMass testing lab home page -- complete list of services
http://www.umass/edu/plsoils/soiltest/

7/8/09 PLEASE NOTE!  QuinStar Update. We have received a modification in the Section 18 labelling for QuinStar.
Please carefully read the attached letter. Click here for the new label.

6/15/09 June newsletter now available. Includes information about Avaunt, Delegate, leaf drop, EBDC fungicides, Twilight Bogside Workshop on June 17th, Final Keeping Quality Forecast and the Section 18 Emergency Exemption for QuinStar 4L.

6/12/09 Growers using QuinStar 4L need to fill out an applicator's report and return it to MDAR by November 30, 2009.

6/11/09 Section 18 Emergency Exemption for the use of QuinStar 4L (quinclorac) for postemergence control of dodder was granted June 10, 2009. QuinStar 4L is distributed by Albaugh Inc. and may be purchased from local ag suppliers. You must have a copy of the label in your possession to apply the product. Labels can be obtained at local ag suppliers or by calling the Cranberry Station. A PDF of the label is available on this website. The label expires July 31, 2009. The fact sheet is also available on this website.

5/20/09 The second May newsletter is now available. Includes information on two Bogside Workships, Worker Protection Trainings, Check for Bugs Now, and results of the 2008 Callisto Grower Survey.

5/12/09 The results of the Callisto survey are now available.

5/7/09 May Newsletter now available. Includes Weed Management Notes; Winter Moth information; Pathological Thoughts; New Reduced Risk and Organophosphate Replacement Insecticides in Cranberry 2009; and dates of two Bogside Workshops.

5/4/09 The 2009 IPM Message is now activated by using the link directly above or by phoning the station at 508-295-2212, extension 60.

4/28/09 We have submitted a Section 18 Emergency Exemption request to EPA for the use of an herbicide for dodder control. No approval has been granted as of yet. We hope to hear by mid-late May from EPA and will alert the grower community when we get any news.

4/28/09 Chemigating Callisto.  Use 0.25% v:v solutions of NIS or 1% COC even when chemigating Callisto.  Cutting back on the amount of NIS or COC may reduce the efficacy of the herbicide.  For NIS, use 1 qt per 100 gallons water; for COC, use 1 gallon per 100 gallons water.  Please contact Hilary if you have questions - 508-295-2212 x 21 or hsandler@umext.umass.edu.

4/7/09 April Newsletter Now Available. Includes Bogside Workshops, Worker Protection Trainings, and Preliminary Keeping Quality Forecast.

3/24/09 The 2009 Chart Books are online and were mailed this week.

3/23/09 Further information on Callisto can be found at the end of the Weed section of the 2009 Chart Book.

3/10/09 MDAR approved the use of Callisto via chemigation in late February; this Special Local Needs label is valid for MA only. Click here for a copy of the 24(c) label. Callisto cannot be applied before bud break. Ensure that half-heads and screens are in place prior to usage.

2/20/09 February Newsletter Now Available. Includes Pesticide Safety Training registration form.

1/27/09 Hot Off The Press! CP-08, "Cranberry Production, A Guide for Massachusetts" is now available from the station. This publication provides information on many aspects of cranberry production practices and will be an excellent reference guide for daily decision-making in the field. This publication is a valuable resource for growers and cranberry-o-philes, alike. Follow the link to "Grower Services", then "Publications" to find the order form.

1/27/09 For dates and information about the UMass two-day workshop to prepare for your pesticide license exam, click here.

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