Cranberry Station Newsletter 2025 Vol. 26:2

2025 UMass Cranberry Pesticide Safety Meeting

• Wednesday, April 30, 2025

• 7:30 AM-12:00 PM

• Early Registration fee is $60 per person (by 4/18/25)

• 4 pesticide credits are available

• Meeting payment form on page 9

This will be a hybrid meeting; you can choose to join via Zoom or in-person. The meeting will be held in the AD Makepeace Meeting Room, at the UMass Cranberry Station. In-person seating may fill up fast due to room capacity allowance. Please return the meeting form as soon as possible to get your preferred attendance choice. 

TENTATIVE AGENDA

7:30 Check in starts, in-person coffee chat

7:45 Frost Update – Peter Jeranyama

8:00 WPS Requirements and Pesticide Safety – Marty Sylvia

8:25 Biopesticide Available in Cranberry – Crysta Taylor, Ocean Spray

8:50 Pesticide and Regulatory Updates – Katie Ghantous 

9:10 New Insects, Old Insects – Marty Sylvia

9:40 Keeping Quality Forecast & Optimizing Fruit Rot Fungicides– Leela Uppala

10:00 **Coffee Break**

10:15 Strategies Against Cranberry Fruit Rot, Upright Dieback & Phytophthora Root Rot– Leela Uppala

10:45 Herbicide Use Patterns – Katie Ghantous

11:15 Pesticide reminders: spray intervals, zone II, and restrictions! – Marty Sylvia

11:30 Chemigation - Brian McGrath, AD Makepeace

TO ATTEND THE 2025 UMASS CRANBERRY PESTICIDE SAFETY MEETING:

• Registration fee $60 per person (must be postmarked by 4/18/25)
• After 4/18/25 please contact Robyn Hardy by phone or email to register and cost will be $75 per person.

Please contact Robyn Hardy at 508-970-7635 or rmhardy[at]umass[dot]edu (rmhardy[at]umass[dot]edu). to have an email registration form sent to you to complete and return as soon as possible. In-person seating will go fast due to room capacity allowance. Once your form and payment are received, a confirmation email will be sent to each person confirming your selection of attendance via Zoom or in-person.  The Zoom confirmation email will have a link to register online. All meeting attendees MUST pay to attend whether receiving credits or not. 

2024 Crop Summit Notes 

By Katie Ghantous, Peter Jeranyama, Giverson Mupambi and Marty Sylvia

NOTES FROM THE 2024 CROP SUMMIT

The Massachusetts Cranberry Crop Summit was held on December 11, 2024, at the UMass Cranberry Station. The meeting was attended by 43 cranberry growers, handler representatives, and staff from both the UMass Cranberry Station and CCCGA. The group reflected on the success and challenges of the 2024 growing season.

WEATHER SUMMARY 2024 SEASON

Peter Jeranyama: The average winter temperature (Dec - Feb) was 34.6oF and 3oF warmer than the long-term average (LTA).  The spring (March – May) average temperature was 48.7oF, 2.4oF greater than LTA. The summer (June-Aug) average temperature was 72.5oF, 3.3oF warmer than LTA, meanwhile the fall temperature averaged 54.4oF and was 1 degree colder than the LTA. Rainfall precipitation (Figure 1) in winter was above average at 16.7 inches; spring (17.7 inches; 4 inches > LTA); summer (12.9 inches, 1.94 > LTA); fall (7.46 inches, 5.73 inches less than LTA).  The poor rainfall precipitation in the fall presented some challenges at harvest time as some growers did not have adequate water resources to complete their harvesting in time.

There was a discussion on the unusual number of fall frost warnings in the year. One grower stated that they start higher/earlier, especially in Carver and was different in different geographical areas.  Sandeep Bhatti, post doc, discussed the variability in the frost calculation: location, microclimate, shape and surroundings. Another grower mentioned that there can be differences even on one large piece. One grower says he just runs them all, while another grower stated that he just isn’t aware of where his cold spots are located because they change from year to year.

There were more than usual fall frost calls this year up to 11, but only 5 were actual frost nights. This fall was cold with clear nights. There were 3 hard frost nights on May 10, 11 and 12.  One grower stated that he has never seen a frost season like 2024 in his 41 years of experience. Another grower uses a 2° buffer and runs more frost nights than other growers to protect the potential colder spots on the bog. Some growers who had property on and off Cape said they ran for frost more on Cape. A few growers had frost nights in October and November. 

 The fall was very dry, and even though there were some recent heavy rain events, many growers were still lacking water. Several growers commented on how unusual it was to need to irrigate during the harvest season and expressed their concern that the drought stress in the fall could lead to negative impacts on the 2025 crop. 

HANDLER AND AG SALES PERSPECTIVES

Ocean Spray, Adam Korejwa:  The overall 2024 harvest was somewhat larger than last year’s, driven primarily by strong yields in Wisconsin and strong yields for Stevens in most regions. 

For Massachusetts, the most notable fact is that the harvest was early. The median bed yield in MA was slightly above average, with an overall increase of about 5% year over year (YOY) and compared to the 5-year average. Rot was about the same YOY and somewhat higher compared to the 5-year average.  Fruit size was slightly smaller YOY, about the same for the 5-year average. Mullica Queen was the only cultivar with an increase in rot from 2023 to 2024 crop compared to all other cultivars. 

Decas Cranberry, James Ross: For the 2024 growing season, “ideal color” ranges for the fruit were reached at an earlier date compared to 2023, allowing for an earlier harvest across many farms. Most varieties colored up 3 to 5 days earlier than what was seen during the previous harvest. Stevens were harvested and delivered earlier than in 2023. Rainfall was tracked and recorded at the Decas office from April through October. When compared to the 2023 rainfall totals, 2024’s growing season rainfall total was approximately 2.7 inches less than what had fallen in 2023 during the same period. The volume of fruit across the farms had increased on average 10% when compared to the 2023 crop volume. This has been mostly attributed to a great crop coming off the native varieties (e.g. Howes), and many renovated bogs coming into their first full production year. Overall, in 2024 we saw a slight decrease in unusable/poor quality fruit compared to the 2023 crop.

Lassonde, Kathy Patterson: There was a strong start on the volume coming into the receiving station early, and it stayed consistent throughout the harvest. Onset of color was promising with preharvest TAcy testing but seemed to stall compared to what we have seen in the past. Early fruit had good color, but we did not find consistent color in Stevens even in later harvests. We were receiving deliveries with unexpectedly low TAcy numbers even into mid-November.

Our usable fruit percentage for 2024 was comparable to the 2023 crop. The volume that was put through the station was up from 2023, but that does not correlate to higher yields. The additional volume was due to fruit we received from other companies we helped to clean.

Nutrien Ag Solutions, Jeff Utley: There were signs of high weevil numbers in the early spring. Avaunt eVo, which does not require a license to use continued to have high usage in the industry. Overall, the amount of Fanfare being used doubled from last year (300 gallons in 2023 to approximately 600 gallons in 2024). Assail usage was up from years past with the Black bug rearing its ugly head.

Dodder’s widespread explosion in some spots had an effect of increased usage of Kerb. Sales of Kerb increased from 30 gallons in 2023 to 60 gallons in 2024. Casoron is a product to think about too as an option in the toolbox. Poverty grass is still an issue for some individuals. Possibly an earlier application of “whatever to get started” needs to be investigated.

Explorer is a home run for us! But some growers have a concern that there could be some resistance issues with Explorer.

There was a discussion on the variety yields: Stevens vs. Mullica Queens (and other hybrids).  Most growers agreed that the legacy varieties made up the difference in yield this year (more legacy and less of the new varieties).

2024 GROWING SEASON SURVEY – PRELIMINARY RESULTS

A digital survey was sent by email to growers asking a range of questions regarding their experiences with the 2024 growing season. The preliminary results were shared at the meeting, but a more detailed and updated description of the results will be included in an upcoming newsletter. 

WEEDS

Poverty grass, poison ivy, moss, and fireweed continue to rank among the most difficult weeds for growers to manage. For moss control, growers expressed concerns about the crop safety of sulfentrazone and asked about the possibility of fall applications. It is currently only labeled for spring applications, but we are waiting for another similar herbicide to be registered that will have both spring and fall applications on the label. Mullica Queen seems particularly sensitive to becoming stressed from sulfentrazone. Some growers commented that new plantings seem prone to problems with haircap moss. Since this species spreads by spores, they may be able to easily colonize open spaces on new plantings like annual weeds germinating from seeds are able to. Some growers asked if lack of winter floods is exacerbating moss problems, but it is more likely that warmer winters are to blame for both more moss and less winter floods – with no direct connection between floods and moss. Although one grower did point out that if moss were underwater, it could receive less light and perhaps not grow as well.  Moss seems to stay green and thrive well beyond the time that cranberry vines become dormant.

A grower pointed out that the new varieties being planted seem to be more sensitive to herbicides like Casoron, so less of those chemistries are being used. In general, less preemergence herbicides are being used by MA cranberry growers (Devrinol, Evital, and Casoron are all costly). This could be exacerbating poverty grass problems because seeds are not being stopped from germinating and establishing adult plants on bogs. 

When growers were asked about Jeff Utley’s comment about possible resistance to mesotrione (Callisto, Explorer, etc.) a few growers said that they felt the herbicide is not as effective as is used to be. Weeds can “grow” out of injury more easily than in the past years. There was some discussion about how timing could be critical. E.g. fireweed can be controlled with mesotrione when it is less than 4” tall, but not once it is beyond 6” tall. Herbicides tend to be applied whenever a grower can get them out, because timing of 

fungicides and insecticides are more critical. Some growers wondered if the generics are the same as the brand name herbicides. 

Growers discussed the efficacies between different formulations of glyphosate. A few of the growers commented that one brand of product didn’t work as well as another brand. 

DISEASES

There is no established “industry standard” for managing fruit rot. The number of applications, as well as and the sequence and frequeny of fungicides used, varies widely from farm to farm and there is no strong correlation between the number of applications and the amount of fruit rot. Along with the pathology program studying 22 bogs over three growing seasons, each of the 29 people who responded to the written survey reported a unique fruit rot fungicide program (ranging from 3 to 6 applications and a variety of fungicides used in varying order). 

Leela Uppala observed an increase in upright dieback and phytophthora root rot over the past three years and added that they have assessed 55 for phytophthora species and identified the most prevalent species involved in fruit rot. Even several asymptomatic bogs tested positive for phytophthora. One grower noted that he felt there was less rot evident because the color developed earlier, and fruit could be harvested earlier before it had time to develop late rot and other issues that could cause it to breakdown. Several growers said they start their first fungicide applications at 15-30% in bloom and found no change in rot when they add additional “late season” fungicide applications. 

Several people noted that Howes had a good year, and it remains one of the favorite varieties grown in MA. Even though it seemed like the quality of fruit was better in 2024 than 2023, Ocean Spray, Decas and Lassonde did not see a big difference in usable fruit between 2023 and 2024 that was received at the Stations, but it also needs to be considered that in “bad” years growers may do additional measures to remove rotten fruit before taking it to the receiving station.

FERTILIZERS

According to Casey Kennedy, nitrogen clearly “drives the bus”. Despite growers feeling that there could be a need for more than 20 lbs P/A/yr, the research does not support that cranberry plants gain any additional benefit from more than 20 lbs P/A/yr (with the exception of new plantings). Peter Jeranyama also stated that his ongoing research with Mullica Queen did not show a benefit to exceeding 20 lbs P/A/yr, consistent with Carolyn DeMoranville’s previous research.

One grower reported applying over 100,000 lbs of fertilizer by drone and felt that it worked very well. They could reach beds not able to be reached by helicopter. The written grower survey indicated that most growers are using one or two fertilizer applications per year. Peter asked the audience if they felt this reflected their practices. Some growers said they use two applications per year on all varieties, and three on the “super hybrids” or other areas that they felt needed extra. One grower said that Haines had a high potential based on the bloom, but it did not materialize as fruit and wondered if they did not have enough nutrients early in the season to support it. As a result, they will fertilize Haines early next year. One grower reported that he previously did one application per year, but now with the super hybrids and using a helicopter has now started doing 3 applications. The areas that got some early fertilizer had better yields. The growers in the room said they are doing regular granular fertilizer (not slow or controlled release). 

Some growers said they do one early season application of 12-24-12 at 100lbs/A and that was enough for the season. 

INSECTS

Weevil appeared early, with treatable populations by mid-May.  Development of grubs in pods was also early - nearly full-sized grub found by June 15 in the hybrids. Sprays were effective for weevil present at the time of the spray, but new waves kept sweeping into the bogs, so it was a very tough year to manage. Some growers had to spray three times in the spring (with options including Actara, Avaunt, Fanfare). Fanfare could be the tool of choice for weevil, scale and black bug – but most growers are limited to a single application, so timing is a tough choice. 

In areas where growers did not use something broad spectrum (e.g. Diazinon, Fanfare) there is evidence that black bug and leafhopper populations have built up. Some growers were hit very hard by black bug infestations. Assail appears to be an effective option for managing them in May. Scale continues to be a big problem for some growers. There is some hope that a fungus could be a biological control for scale, but it is still being investigated. Marty talked about this cordyceps being used. This is a fungus that attacks the scale and did really well in 2024. Trials were set up on several bogs, but the fungus was found in both treated and untreated plots! Diazinon prices are high, but there was not a shortage this year like in the past year. Timing applications with pollinators can be tricky. Growers without scale, weevil, and black bug reported otherwise low insect pressure.

One grower reported that he had a faulty irrigation head, and the area that did not get treated for fruitworm was devastated by fruitworm. So even though the pest is well managed, it is still out there and would likely be a huge problem if growers were to skip fruitworm sprays. MA had their first instance of toad bug (a NJ problem). There were some outbreaks of Southern Red Mite. Growers talked about poor pollination and hypothesized it was due to multiple high heat days during bloom.

CULTIVARS AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES 

This was the second year of using drones in fertilizer and pesticide applications in MA. Three growers are currently using drones on their farms for fertilizer applications, some pesticide applications, and imaging. For pesticides, the drones are being used to supplement other application methods but not replace them. The state regulations are evolving, and the industry is working closely with MDAR. 

For the variety trials at the Cranberry Station, Mullica Queen® had a higher yield than Haines® in 2024, but the two-year average still shows Haines® ahead of Mullica Queen® followed by Welkers™, Badgers and Ruby Star®. The medium producers were Crimson King, Vassana®, Sundance®, Midnight 8, and Granite Red while Pilgrim King, HyRed®, and Scarlet Night® lagged behind the others. Scarlet Night colors up much earlier than the other varieties. Based on color, it was ready to be harvested at the end of August. It is still not clear which varieties have strong alternate bearing, we need more years of data to understand trends (including when peak productivity occurs). 

For fruit rot, Pilgrim King and Crimson King had the highest incidence, while Granite Red, Mullica Queen and Ruby Star were at the lower end. Unfortunately, all the varieties are on the same bed and managed the same way so spray timings may not be ideal for all varieties. 

There was some discussion on Mullica Queen vs Haines. The new cultivars are very sensitive to management styles, so the “best” may vary from grower to grower. Ocean Spray stated they currently have a lot more Mullica Queen coming into the receiving station than Haines. For the new varieties (Mullica Queen especially) there can be a depression in yield after year 5/6. It is unclear whether this is due to canopy management or other factors. 

OTHER DISCUSSION

Some growers had a lot of hail injury (Cedar St in Plympton, Tihonet area, East Wareham). The damage wasn’t catastrophic because the fruit was still hard and green. There was fruit knocked off the vine, but some growers felt the fruit that was hit by hail that stayed on the vine seemed to have decent quality. 

A grower in the Wareham area said they picked their Stevens 25 days earlier than in 2023. Multiple growers had a better than average year for their Howes. Some growers felt that berry weight was low, and fruit didn’t size up, and felt this could be due to the lack of rain in August. One grower asked what the relationship between sunlight hours and fruit size is. Again, growers commented on how resilient Howes are and the good crop seen this year from that variety. 

News from the Extension Education and Entomology Lab

By Marty Sylvia

UPCOMING SPRING PESTICIDE CREDIT OPTIONS

Respirator Training! (2 credits)

• April 8, 2025

• 8:30-10:30 AM, hybrid option at CCCGA office

• Register through CCCGA

UMass Cranberry Pesticide Safety Meeting (4 credits)

• April 8, 2025

• 7:30-12:00 PM, hybrid option 

• $60 per person 

• contact Robyn Hardy (508-770-7635 or rmhardy[at]umass[dot]edu (rmhardy[at]umass[dot]edu)) for payment form

UMass Cranberry Insect & Disease Clinic I (2 credits)

• May 7, 2025

• 7:30-9:30 AM, in-person UMass Cranberry Station

• No charge

UMass Cranberry Insect & Disease Clinic II (2 credits)

• May 21, 2025

• 7:30-9:30 AM, in-person UMass Cranberry Station

• No charge

SPRING WPS HANDLER TRAININGS

 Thursday, April 17, 2025, Friday, May 2, 2025, or Thursday, May 29, 2025

• 8:30 - 9:30 AM, hybrid option

• Cost is $5 per person

 Anyone working on the cranberry bogs (bogs that have been treated within 30 days) who does not have a Massachusetts Pesticide Certification needs to have worker protection training each year. I am offering several dates with a hybrid option (in-person or Zoom) for your workers to attend to cover this requirement. This will be a handler training and will allow workers to help apply general use pesticide and Roundup (glyphosate) or spot treat with Intensity or Stinger.  This training can be done with each person on a smartphone or computer, or in a group setting around a screen – but I need verification of each person attending.  Paperwork will be completed that can cover EPA WPS requirements.

Trainings will be held in the AD Makepeace Meeting Room, at the UMass Cranberry Station. To attend a training or for more information please contact Marty Sylvia martys[at]umass[dot]edu (martys[at]umass[dot]edu) or 508-265-6921.

News from the Cranberry Physiology Lab

by Giverson Mupambi

NEW FACT SHEET: OVERVIEW OF REGULATIONS FOR USING UNOCCUPIED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS FOR AERIAL APPLICATION OF FERTILIZER AND PESTICIDES

We have published a fact sheet aimed at providing guidance on what is needed to legally fly an unoccupied aircraft system (UAS) for the purpose of aerial application of pesticides or fertilizers in Massachusetts. Pesticide applications are subject to both federal and state legal requirements. Only federal regulations apply to aerial fertilizer applications. The rules and regulations referenced in the publication were correct at the time of publication. It is always advisable to check with the Federal Aviation Administration and Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources as the regulations are constantly evolving. The summary of both federal and state requirements is as follows:

Federal Requirements:

• Commercial UAS License Part 107

• Acquire a 44807 exemption (for aircraft over 55 pounds)

• Aircraft Registration, obtain an “N” number (for aircraft over 55 pounds)

• Federal Insurance Requirements

• Agricultural Aircraft Operator Certificate Part 137

Massachusetts State Requirements:

• Core Pesticide License 

• Aerial commercial certification

• State Insurance Requirements

Download the new fact sheet Overview of Regulations for Using Unoccupied Aircraft Systems (UASs) for Aerial Application of Fertilizer and Pesticides in Massachusetts