In This Issue:

Calendar
We're on the Web
Preliminary Organophosphate Use Data
Restrictions on Planting Black Currants
Soil and Leaf Testing
1997 Census of Agriculture - Small Fruit

Calendar

April 7: North Central Ohio Fruit Crops Breakfast,Vanson's Restaurant, Intersection of St. Rte. 99 and U.S. Rte. 20, Monroeville. Breakfast at 8:00 AM; discussion at 8:45, featuring Dr. Celeste Welty, Extension Entomologist, OSU.

We're on the Web

Preliminary Organophosphate Use Data

The EPA is releasing detailed information on organophosphate pesticide use patterns for ten food crops, including apples, peaches, and pears. The agency will post the information on the Internet in draft form of tables, or "matrices", for review comments by growers and other interested parties. EPA will use the data in its reassessment of existing tolerances (residue limits) for pesticides on foods under the new safety standard required by the 1996 Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA). The pesticide use data compiled by the Agency will play an important role in evaluating overall exposure to the organophosphates. The data was compiled from several sources and is being presented in crop specific matrices that provide the percentage of each crop treated with each pesticide, application and timing, regional use, and availability of alternatives. IN addition to the initial ten crops, the agency anticipates releasing pesticide usage information on approximately 60 additional food crops. The information is available on EPA's website at: http://www.epa.gov/oppbead1/matrices

Copies of the matrices may also be requested by writing to the US EPA, Office of Pesticide Programs, Communication Services Branch (7506C), 401 M St. S.W., Washington, D.C. 20460.

Restrictions on Planting Black Currants

Two recent inquiries about the planting of black currants prompted this article. Because the black currant is an alternate host for the white pine blister rust (a fungus), it is illegal in Ohio to plant black currants except for the cultivars Consort, Crusader, and Coronet. As fruit set of Crusader and Coronet is poor, only Consort should be considered for planting. In most cases it's best for those who wish to grow currants to grow the red types, for which there are no restrictions.

White pine blister rust. This devastating disease is caused by a Eurasian fungus, Cronartium ribicola, that was introduced in diseased planting stock from Europe to both eastern and western North America near the beginning of the 20th century. It occurs around the Northern Hemisphere and has spread throughout nearly the entire range of susceptible (white, or five-needle) pines in North America.

North American species of white pines are, in general, highly susceptible. Those affected are bristlecone, limber, sugar, eastern white, southwestern white, western white, and whitebark pines. European and Asiatic white pines are less susceptible.

The seriousness of this rust disease is being highlighted by the state of Massachusetts as hearings will be held concerning proposed changes to Massachusetts Ribes Regulations. One language change would shift the responsibility (of the law) from nurseries to Massachusetts residents.

Soil and Leaf Testing

Over the past few years, it was the responsibility of the state specialist to establish and assist with soil and leaf test results from REAL. Guidelines and recommendations for growers from soil or leaf test results were research-based from Ohio small fruit experiments and extraction methods developed at REAL over many years. Recently Midwest growers, as well as Ohio growers, could make decisions about proper plant nutrition and soil elemental content from the Midwest Small Fruit Pest Management Handbook (Chapter 6) when they received a report from REAL.

Since last fall, I have discussed the methods of soil and plant analyses that are used at the Pennsylvania State University, Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory, College of Agricultural Sciences, University Park, PA 16802-1100 with Dr. Ann Wolf. Their recommendations from leaf test results are identical to ours, thanks to Dr. Barbara L. Goulart, a former graduate student of mine. With few additions over the next 6 months, our soil test recommendations will be added to their software. Therefore, I believe Ohio and Midwest growers can receive excellent results from Penn State. Additional input from Ohio will be necessary in order to be online for computer soil recommendations late this year.

With this letter, I am asking Dr. Baertsche to inform all Ohio State Extension offices of the following:

Ohio Small Fruit Growers can send their soil and leaf samples to Penn State and receive computer printouts of recommendations that have been prepared by an Ohio State specialist.

Reports will be sent to the customer and to the Ohio county agent's office.

Penn State will provide a fee schedule, instructions, and other information to Ohio State Extension county offices.

All soil and leaf tests must be pre-paid before testing.

All growers may contact me for questions pertaining to the recommendations that are printed on the report.

The Ohio Small Fruit Industry and the 1997 Census of Agriculture

Small fruit crops (berries) have been important to Ohio agriculture for many years. Early in the 20th century, there were over 9,400 acres of berries in Ohio. In 1920 and 1940, over 11.4 and 12.7 million quarts of berries, respectively, were produced in Ohio. Mahoning, Columbiana, Lucas, Montgomery, and Lake counties were the top producers in the early 1950's. By 1954 acreage had decreased to nearly 3,500 acres, with strawberries at about 1,500 acres. In 1965 strawberry acreage increased to 1,600 acres, and blueberries increased from 48 acres in 1954 to 96 acres in 1964 (Fruit Industry Task Force, 1968, OARDC). Raspberry acreage declined from 1,105 acres in 1954 to 596 acres in 1964.

In 1992, nearly 30 years later, strawberry acreage was 1,274 acres after reaching 1,900 acres in 1983. During this same period, acreage and yields in the U.S. were increasing. Strawberry acreage dropped below 1,000 acres for the first time in 1997 (U.S. Census of Agriculture and Ohio Agric. Statistics, 1997 and 1983).

Blueberry acreage was 96 acres in 1964, increasing to 281 acres in 1992. During this period, the Michigan blueberry industry expanded rapidly. Throughout the 1980's, blueberry per capita consumption was increased at a rate of 8% per year. New research from Ohio State during this time indicated that blueberries had more consistent yields than peaches, which had severely declined in production due to severe winters of the late 1970's and early 1980's. Actually there were 12,000 farms producing over 1 million pounds of peaches in 1954. In 1964, 2,700 farms produced 500,000 pounds of peaches. By 1982 there were 252 farms with 1,358 acres of peaches (Ohio Agric. Statistics, 1982).

In 1954 there were 1,105 acres of raspberries and 35 acres of blackberries. By 1964 the raspberry acreage had dropped to just under 600 acres; by 1992 raspberry acreage was under 400 acres. Blackberries increased from 28 acres in 1964 to 85 acres in 1992. From 1964 to 1992 blueberry and blackberry acreage increased, while strawberry and raspberry acreage declined. From 1992 to 1997 acreage and the number of farms declined for all small fruit commodities. The number of farms and acreage for strawberries and raspberries increased from 1992 to 1997 in Portage and Lorain counties. Washington and Richland counties showed an increase in the number of blackberry and blueberry farms. It appears that Lorain and Portage counties had over 100 acres of berries in 1997. Portage and Lake counties had the most irrigated land for berries in 1997.

Blackberries
Census of Agriculture

	Acres		# Farms
Top 5 Counties	1997	1992	1997	1992
Washington	18	--	6	5
Lorain	--	7	6	--
Medina	2	--	6	--
Athens	3	3	5	--
Clermont	1	3	5	3
Total (State)	54	85	100	91

Blueberries
Census of Agriculture

	Acres		# Farms
Top 5 Counties	1997	1992	1997	1927
Lorain	46	52	15	16
Richland	38	--	7	4
Portage	17	16	4	3
Washington	7	13	5	6
Geauga	4	3	7	4
Total (State)	202	281	99	101

Raspberries
Census of Agriculture

	Acres		# Farms
Top 5 Counties	1997	1992	1997	1927
Lake	25	26	7	7
Champaign	20	35	3	5
Columbiana	17	18	7	12
Portage	16	20	6	5
Lorain	14	11	11	10
Total (State)	245	370	181	224

Strawberries
Census of Agriculture

	Acres		# Farms
Top 5 Counties	1997	1992	1997	1927
Portage	79	49	10	7
Lorain	61	74	13	24
Columbiana	48	98	15	22
Mahoning	37	73	10	15
Franklin	30	39	5	7
Total (State)	801	1274	375	499

*Lake and Wayne had 27 acres each, and Fulton had 26 acres in 1997.

All Berries
Census of Agriculture

	Acres		# Farms
Top 10 Counties	1997	1992	1997	1927
Lorain	127	145	27	40
Portage	112	--	15	13
Richland	60	66	11	12
Lake	58	51	11	19
Wayne	39	98	29	34
Franklin	36	53	6	10
Holmes	36	30	--	--
Sandusky	31	32	7	12
Huron	25	--	9	11
Erie	19	24	9	12
Total (State)	1308	--	537	713

* Portage, Lake, and Columbiana had 84, 42, and 27 acres of berries under irrigation in 1997. Lorain had 87 acres under irrigation in 1992.

* Images from Midwest Small Fruit Pest Management Handbook, Ohio State University Extension Bulletin 861.

Ted W. Gastier
Extension Agent, Agriculture
Tree Fruit Team Coordinator
Ohio State University Extension Huron County
180 Milan Avenue
Norwalk, OH 44857
Phone: (419)668-8210
FAX: (419)663-4233
E-mail: gastier.1@osu.edu

Information presented above and where trade names are used, they are supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Ohio State University Extension is implied. Although every attempt is made to produce information that is complete, timely, and accurate, the pesticide user bears responsibility of consulting the pesticide label and adhering to those directions.

All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status.

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Keith L. Smith, Director, Ohio State University Extension.

TDD # 1 (800) 589-8292 (Ohio only) or (614) 292-1868