Due to predictions of extreme weather tomorrow evening, Wednesday, September 15^th, the Exclusion Netting Workshop at the Berry Patch, Stephentown, NY has been postponed until Tuesday, October 5^th, 4-6pm.  If you already registered for the Berry Patch session, there is no need to re-register.

The western NY site at Albers Acres in Kennedy, NY will still hold the workshop tomorrow night, Sept 15.

If you have any questions about eastern NY meeting - please call Laura McDermott, 518-791-5038, or email lgm4@cornell.edu.

2021 season review of SWD management techniques

Join us at either The Berry Patch in Stephentown or Abers Acres in Kennedy for a two-hour review of Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) management techniques.  We'll cover the basics of SWD monitoring of adult and larvae populations and also discuss implementing a pesticide program.

The program will focus on what has been learned about designing an exclusion netting support system that provides long term control of SWD and maximum utility for berry farmers.

Exclusion netting is being used on field blueberries where it controls SWD while also excluding birds and moderating impacts of hail and heavy rain.  Raspberries and strawberries also benefit from exclusion netting on  the sides of high tunnels.  There will be a representative from NRCS that will share information about cost sharing for the netting.

1.5 DEC credits available in categories 1A, 10, and 22

AGENDA (The Berry Patch, 15589 State Route 22, Stephentown, NY 12168) - October 5, 2021

4:00 pm               Welcome and Introductions & NYS DEC credit sign-up - Laura McDermott, CCE ENYCHP

4:05 pm               Brief Overview of SWD - Laura McDermott, CCE ENYCHP

Insect monitoring, fruit infestation monitoring, insecticide management and cultural management techniques will be discussed

4:20 pm                Overview of Exclusion Netting - Dale Ila Riggs, The Berry Patch and Ted Storozum, TekKnit, Quebec CA

Brief review of work undertaken and effectiveness of netting in open field and high tunnel systems.  Discussion of adaptations made to netting material and the need for structural design.

4:50 pm                Structural Considerations when Installing Exclusion Netting - Chris Callahan, University of Vermont and Paul Lucas from Gintec, Ontario, CA. 

The past two seasons have provided lots of new information about designing the support structure for Exclusion Netting. We have been able to revise the design leading to a more lean and lower cost structure as we adapt it from ginseng production systems.  Gintec owner Paul Lucas has played a critical advisory role in this portion of the project and has decades of experience with protected agriculture systems.  Cost information for the SWD exclusion netting and structure will be included.

5:20 pm                Exclusion Netting on Fall Raspberries - Dale Ila Riggs, The Berry Patch

Research on using field netting for fall raspberries and incorporating it into a high tunnel system.

 5:30 pm              Views from Other Growers - TBD

Growers that have adopted exclusion netting will share their successes and struggles with the netting. 

5:45 pm                Hands-On Removal of Netting - Attendees will watch and assist with removal of netting panels to better understand the requirements and ease of using netting. Netting storage and winter care will be discussed.

6:00 pm                Adjourn

AGENDA (Abers Acres, Route 394, Kennedy, NY 14747) - September 15, 2021

4:00 pm               Welcome and Introductions & NYS DEC credit sign-up - Anya Osatuke, CCE Harvest NY

4:05 pm               Brief Overview of SWD - Greg Loeb, Cornell University

Insect monitoring, fruit infestation monitoring, insecticide management and cultural management techniques will be discussed

4:20 pm                Overview of Exclusion Netting - Greg Loeb and Stephen Hesler, Cornell University

Brief review of work undertaken and effectiveness of netting in open field and high tunnel systems.  Discussion of adaptations made to netting material and the need for structural design.

4:50 pm                Structural Considerations when Installing Exclusion Netting - Stephen Hesler, Cornell University and John Abers, Abers Acres

The past two seasons have provided lots of new information about designing the support structure for Exclusion Netting, but every farm is unique and Abers Acres owner will discuss how they installed the netting.  This installation benefited from the lessons learned during the prior year's installation at The Berry Patch and uses fewer posts in the support structure leading to reduced cost and labor. Cost information about the SWD exclusion netting and structure will be included. 

5:20 pm                Exclusion Netting on Fall Raspberries - Greg Loeb, Cornell University

Research on using field netting for fall raspberries and incorporating it into a high tunnel system.

 5:30 pm              Views from Other Growers - TBD

Growers that have adopted exclusion netting will share their successes and struggles with the netting. 

5:45 pm                Hands-On Removal of Netting - Attendees will watch and assist with removal of netting panels to better understand the requirements and ease of using netting. Netting storage and winter care will be discussed.

6:00 pm                Adjourn

Thank you to the NYSBGA for sponsoring these meetings.  This research is partially funded with support from Northeast SARE.