Berry Crops

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The overall goal of the berry crops research and extension program is to help growers of blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, strawberry, cranberry, and kiwi fruit make educated decisions with regard to planting establishment and management to improve economic viability and sustainability.

About the Berry Crops Production, Physiology, and Breeding Program

Oregon has a diverse, economically important berry crop industry with about 23,000 acres harvested for a farm gate value of over $123 million. Berry crops are grown on over 1000 family farms in Oregon. The overall goal of the berry crops research and extension program is to help growers of blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, strawberry, cranberry, and kiwi fruit make educated decisions with regard to planting establishment and management to improve economic viability and sustainability.

The berry research program at the NWREC led by Dr. Strik includes: 1) production and physiology research; and 2) serving as the OSU lead on the berry crops breeding program, led by Dr. Chad Finn (USDA-ARS geneticist at the Horticultural Crops Research Unit, Corvallis) – the breeding program, a cooperative effort between the USDA-ARS and OSU that started in 1917, has the objective of developing better berry crop varieties for the Pacific Northwest.

Our program has many trials underway in any given year, with updates on completed and ongoing research projects.

Berry Crops Production Systems Website

Amanda Vance

'Elliott' blueberries are machine harvested for a research trial in August 2018

Amanda Vance

Enroll in the next offering of the Online Blueberry Physiology, Production Systems, & Management Course!

Learn the fundamentals of blueberry plant physiology and growth, species and types grown and cultivar adaptation, planting establishment, production systems, and important pests to develop successful new plantings or improve the yield and production efficiency of existing planting in this online, instructor-led certificate program offered by Professional and Continuing Education at Oregon State University.

Within a collaborative, research- and experience-based curriculum and interaction with the instructor and peers through a discussion board, you will finish the course with a comprehensive knowledge of growing thriving bushes.

Enroll Here!

Featured Publications from the OSU Extension Catalog

Strawberry Nutrient Management Guide for Oregon and Washington

Strawberry growers in Oregon and Washington raise fruit for both the processed and fresh markets, using both conventional and certified organic systems. This guide explains nutrient management for June-bearing and day-neutral cultivars — the two types of strawberries typically grown in the Pacific...

By Bernadine Strik | OSU Extension Catalog

Growing Berries on the Oregon Coast: An Overview

Includes general information on site selection, soils, irrigation, mulching, nutrient management, and other considerations specific to growing berries on the Oregon Coast.

By Bernadine Strik, Cassie Bouska | OSU Extension Catalog

Raspberry Cultivars for the Pacific Northwest

This publication describes raspberry cultivars, including red, yellow, black, and purple types. It explains the difference between floricane-fruiting and primocane-fruiting cultivars, includes information on commercial value, and identifies which cultivars work well for home gardens.

By Bernadine Strik | OSU Extension Catalog