SPRING 2007 BERRY COMMISSIONS NEWS A grower newsletter for the Oregon Raspberry & Blackberry Commission and the Oregon Strawberry Commission 1 Help - We Need Another Name for a New Cultivar - by USDA-ARS/OSU Cooperative Breeding Program for Caneberries - Chad Finn, USDA-ARS, HCRL, Bernadine Strik, OSU, Dept. of Horticulture Mary Peterson, USDA-ARS Connie Pace and Gil Buller, OSU-NWREC Objectives and Introduction While the generic overall goal of the USDA-ARS / OSU breeding program is to develop cultivars for the commercial berry industry, we have slightly more specialized goals for each crop. In the case of blackberry, we want to develop cultivars that are cold hardy and machine harvestable with berries that are firmer than Marion but that have similar fruit quality characteristics. We have had a focus to develop commercially viable selections that mix characteristics of the western blackberries (excellent fruit quality, adaptation) with those of the eastern types (semi-erect/erect plant, firm fruit, potentially very high yields), which started in the early 1990 s but is now starting to yield close to commercial quality selections. We have greatly expanded our black raspberry effort over the past 8 years as we try to find genotypes that have greater plant durability, particularly virus tolerance, while maintaining the intense color and flavor of Munger. The Corvallis program has had a long history of working on red raspberry cultivars and while this effort is much smaller than it used to be, we still have a small breeding effort and our major effort is to work with WSU and AgCanada to get their selections and test them for adaptation to Oregon. Our Basic Program We do most of our crosses and grow most of our seedlings in Corvallis. In 2006, we evaluated about 7,000 blackberry, raspberry and black raspberry seedlings. We made 165 successful crosses and planted out about 7,000 seedlings! We made about 60 selections from these based on traits we could easily evaluate in the field. These selections are then typically planted in one of three locations. If they are only of breeding interest we plant a few plants in Corvallis to evaluate and use in crosses. If they have cultivar potential, they are planted at OSU-North Willamette Research and Extension Center in either a single plot or in replicated plots. These plots are harvested if they still look good when they are carrying a crop, the fruit is evaluated, and fruit is sent to the OSU Department of Food Science for freezing and processing evaluation in the off season. We also work to get selections from other breeding programs for these trials and collaborate most heavily with Washington State University, AgCanada, and the University of Arkansas. - Continued on Page 3 - - I N S I D E - Update of Berry Crop Research & Extension Programs... 2 ORBC PAGES ORBC Public Hearing Notice... 4 NWREC Caneberry Open House... 4 Pre-season Workshop Focuses on Mechanization Fruit Quality Issues.. 4 ORBC Promotion Update... 5 Compound in Blackberries Shows Anti-Tumor Promise... 6 Uniting Importers and Domestic Growers: Cooperative Market Development in the Red Raspberry Industry... 6 Dean & King Bredenkamp both Honored with Bob Conroy Award... 7 2007 Int l Berry Health Symposium... 7 Blackberries, Strawberries, & Raspberries Shown to Be Disease Fighting Super Fruit... 8 ORBC Natural Letter to FDA... 8 2007-2008 Proposed Research... 8 2007-08 Proposed Budget... 9 Commissioner & Committee List... 10 WSU Raspberry Breeding Program...11 OSC PAGES OSC Public Hearing Notice...12 NWREC Strawberry Open House... 12 WSU Strawberry Breeding Program... 12 Spartan/Strawberry Section 18 Granted for 2007-2008...12 Large Numbers of Selections for Grower Trials in 2008...13 Committee List...14 2007-2008 Research Budget...14 2007-2008 Proposed Budget...15 Commissioner List...16
Update of Berry Crop Research & Extension Programs - by Bernadine Strik, Professor of Horticulture Berry Research Leader, North Willamette Research & Extension Center Oregon State University - Berry News In my 20 years at OSU I have been very fortunate to have had great support from the Commissions (Oregon Raspberry & Blackberry Commission, Oregon Strawberry Commission, Oregon Blueberry Commission, Oregon Cranberry Growers Association) and berry crop growers in Oregon. I strive, along with those who work with me (Research Assistants, Technicians, and graduate students), to have the production and physiology research and extension programs and the cooperative breeding program at the NWREC make a significant positive impact on the berry crop industries. I recently sat down and made a summary, by crop, of research findings I wanted to make it easy to read and only hit the highlights. I hope you will check it out at the following web site/link. http://oregonstate.edu/dept/nwrec/staff/strik/strik.html My intent is to review what we ve discovered so far. If there is something you would like more information on, please do not hesitate to contact me: strikb@hort.oregonstate.edu I really appreciate all of your support and look forward to continuing to work hard to make a difference to Oregon berry crop industries. 2 ~ Newsletter Ads ~ The Berry Commissions News accepts advertisements and inserts on a first come, first served basis. Space is limited. Ad size is a maximum of 1/4 page and inserts are generally limited to one 8 x 11 inch sheet. Ad space in the newsletter is currently free of charge. Printing costs do apply for inserts and must be paid by the advertiser in advance. All ads and inserts must be relevant to the berry industry and are subject to approval. Inserts must be prepared and ready for printing by the advertiser. Berry Commissions News is published by Pacific Northwest Administration, Inc. 4845 B SW Dresden Ave., Corvallis, OR 97333 Phone: 541-758-4043 Fax: 541-758-4553 ORBC E-mail: berries@oregon-berries.com OSC E-Mail: reachus@oregon-strawberries.org
Berry News Help - We Need Another Name for a New Cultivar - Continued From Page 1 - The highlights of the blackberry and raspberry trials will be presented; as well as, a focus on small fruited thornless blackberries, new fresh market selections in grower trials and a new fresh market raspberry being considered for release. Recently Released Cultivars Black Diamond, Black Pearl and Nightfall were recently released as thornless cultivars for processing along with Obsidian and Metolius, which, while thorny, are the earliest ripening fresh market cultivars. Coho red raspberry is still being planted in substantial numbers. Cultivars Being Released Thornless Half-wild for processing: ORUS 1843-3 tentatively named Wild Treasure was slated for release in 2006. A problem with plants in grower fields made us hold off until we could re-establish plants from our original plants for the nurseries. We hope to have new plants available in late 2007 or 2008. ORUS 1843-3 and ORUS 1843-1 are selections from crosses between Waldo and wild blackberry collected on Mt. Hebo (Ore.). These two have the thornlessness and foliar disease tolerance of Waldo and the growth habit, small fruit size and fruit flavor of the wild blackberry (which is where much of Marion s flavor comes from). ORUS 1843-1 and ORUS 1843-3 trained up the first year will have excellent yields one year after planting; they are extremely vigorous. However, they suffer in our training system. Since they are so vigorous, early growing, and have thinner canes, if training is left until late summer, many canes will be broken and yield reduced due to the combination of thin canes and the weight of so much growth. In order to be successful, I think these selections need to be in an AY system. The fruit of all of these are small, about ½ the size of Marion. ORUS 1523-4; Thorny for fresh market. We are planning on releasing ORUS 1523-4 as a thorny mid late season firm, excellent flavored blackberry for the fresh market. ORUS 1523-4 is from a cross of the intensely flavored but small fruited OSC 1466 with ORUS 1117-11. Ripens a week later than Marion during a time frame where there are currently no trailing fresh market cultivars. Firm, glossy beautiful fruit, Medium-large fruit (6.4 g) vs. Marion (5.4g), Excellent flavor, sweet; Yield comparable to Marion. Grower Trial, Available At Nursery, Fresh Market, Thorny ORUS 1350-2; Black Butte x ORUS 828-42; Fresh Market; Thorny. Vigorous, V. large attractive fruit; High yields Concerns: Flavor, Color in heat; ORUS 1351-1; Black Butte x ORUS 828-42; Fresh Market; Thorny. Vigorous; Large attractive fruit, V. uniform shape, Excellent yield; Did well in BC Concerns: Flavor, firmness. ORUS 1351-4; Black Butte x ORUS 828-42; Fresh Market; Thorny. Vigorous, Large attractive fruit, V. uniform shape, Excellent yield; Concerns: Flavor, firmness ORUS 1370-2; ORUS 834-5 X ORUS 828-42; Fresh Market; Thorny, Vigorous, Mid-season, Bright, glossy, attractive black fruit with tough skin, Very good flavor, Larger fruit size and yield than Marion ; Concerns: None other than confirming commercial value ORUS 1793-1; Very Promising! ORUS 817R-6 x ORUS 1378-1; Fresh Market, Ripens between Obsidian/Metolius and Marion; Thorny, but not very thorny, Firm, glossy, attractive, Very good eating. Medium-large fruit (7.0g) vs. Marion (5.4g); Concerns: Confirmation of commercial value and winter hardiness as it was hammered slightly worse than Marion in late winter 2006 freeze and the crop was not worth harvesting. * ORUS 1939-4; NW 8832-1 x Siskiyou; Fresh Market, Marion season; Thorny, Very firm, glossy, very attractive, Excellent flavor, Can be picked firm black with good flavor, Medium-large fruit (7.0g) vs. Marion (5.4g), Very high yields; Concerns: None except confirmation of commercial value. Others For Processing In grower trial: ORUS 1431-1; (BD x Lumpy) x Walt); Thornless, Will likely be named in 2007. Processing; Marion or greater yields; Excellent fruit quality. Concerns: Too similar to Waldo. NZ 9351-4; NZ 8754RH-1 x NZ 8928RCE; Thornless, processing, Marion yields, Exc. Quality; Scored well in blind panel. Concerns: Too raspberry like in growth habit and fruit color? ORUS 1117-11; ORUS 1122 x ORUS 2009; Thornless processing, late Waldo Marion or greater yield. Slightly smaller than Marion. Excellent but other than Season not any better than Waldo in yield, quality etc. Red and Black Raspberry Highlights Red raspberry: ORUS 1142-1 will likely be named in 2007. It has fresh market potential. Fresh market companies looking at the fruit were impressed with its ease of release, uniformity of medium sized fruit, and its bright color. Trials: None of our 2002 or 2003 showed anything remarkable. The 2004 Trial (Table RY1) had the - Continued on Page 7-3
R aspberry & Blackberry News 4 Notice of Public Hearing Oregon Raspberry & Blackberry Commission Proposed Budget The Proposed Budget is Published on Page 9 As required by ORS 576.416, the Oregon Raspberry & Blackberry Commission (ORBC) will hold a public meeting for the purpose of receiving comments on the Commission s proposed budget for the next fiscal year. DATE: Tuesday, May 8, 2007 TIME: 5:30 p.m. PLACE: Langdon Farms Golf Course 24377 NE Airport Road Aurora, Oregon Copies of the proposed budget are available at the commission office, 4845 B SW Dresden Ave., Corvallis, OR 97333, and on-line at www.oregonberries.com. The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or for other accommodations for person with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours before the meeting to 541-758-4043, TTY 503-986- 4762. NWREC, Caneberry Open House - by Bernadine Strik, Oregon State University - The Caneberry Open House at the NWREC, Aurora, Oregon, will be on Wednesday, June 27, 2007. The open house will start at 1:00 p.m. with some brief presentations of research projects. This will be followed by a tour through the breeding plots and refreshments. For more information contact 503-678-1264. ORBC Pre-season Workshop Focuses on Mechanization and Fruit Quality Issues - by Tom Peerbolt, Peerbolt Crop Management - The Commission held a well attended preseason workshop for Oregon s caneberry growers at the North Willamette Research and Extension Station on February 28 th. Wayne Bochsler, the ORBC Research committee chair welcomed over 70 attendees to the all day session, including over 45 growers. Workshop Topics The Economics of Mechanization: Future trends (Clark Seavert, OSU) Innovations in Caneberry Mechanization (Frank Brown, Littau Harvester) Breeding Caneberries for Mechanized Production Systems (Chad Finn, USDA) Caneberry Management to facilitate Mechanization (Bernadine Strik, OSU) The next ten years. Who s in the driver s seat? (Round Table Discussion) Ways to Improve Fruit Handling Practices for Better Quality (Industry Fieldman Panel) Improving Fruit Quality by Improving Fungicide Choices, Timing and Application Methods (Ken Johnson & Diane Kaufman, OSU) Transitioning from Chemical to Biological Control of Leafrollers (Paul Jepson, Integrated Plant Protection Center, OSU) Understanding Pesticide fate and effects for the protection of water resources (Jeff Jenkins, Integrated Plant Protection Center, OSU) Help Needed from Growers and other Industry Professionals. A couple of the central themes voiced at by growers at the workshop are that the future success of the caneberry growers in Oregon strongly depends on: Our ability to develop mechanized ways to take the place of our shrinking work force. Our capacity to efficiently produce high quality, value added processed caneberries. If you re interested in staying informed and/or getting more involved in the ORBC s Research Committee s efforts to follow up on these issues, you can get a hold of Tom Peerbolt, ORBC Research Coordinator at 503-289-7287 or tom@peerbolt.com.
ORBC Promotion Update - by Berry Works, Inc. - The buzz about Oregon raspberries and blackberries continues to grow as more exciting news about health benefit research on berries comes to light and we continue to develop delicious new recipes using our Oregon berries. The ORBC marketing team has been involved in a number of interesting new projects to promote our berries and bring increasing sales to growers since the summer. In October, Cat McKenzie attended the 2006 Natural Products Expo in Baltimore, Maryland to report on trends and directions in the natural products field for the ORBC. The 1,500 booths offered an extensive overview of the latest trends and new products available in the natural products sector. Attended by buyers, R&D professionals, and others interested in this fast growing market, it is the largest event in its field. McKenzie reported that one of the big areas of interest at the Expo was the fruit-blended drink category, which included high antioxidant fruits such as mangosteen and acai, blended with more traditional fruits such as raspberry, blueberry and blackberry. Flavored waters and sport drinks were also heavily represented. All of these drinks make this category one of the fastest growing in the natural products sector. Other areas of interest that might include berries are the burgeoning gluten free food sector and products aimed at children which include cereal bars and kid friendly yogurt drinks. New York magazine editors were the focus of the marketing outreach trip made to that city by Cat McKenzie in November. Visiting with the editors of Hallmark Magazine, Woman s Day, Good Housekeeping, Family Circle, Saveur, Ladies Home Journal, American Baby and Parents Magazine, she was able to bring the newest research into the health benefits of berries to the editors, as well as important background information on our berries. We can look forward to articles in Hallmark Magazine and Woman s Day with additional articles still to be decided. Other articles by the 2006 Berry Camp attendees will be published this spring and summer in Better Nutrition, Horizon Air Magazine, EAT, Arizona Foothills Magazine and Delicious Living Magazine. Jan Schroeder has been working with all ORBC processors to acquaint them with the matching grant program offered by the ORBC to help with processor marketing efforts for individual Oregon berries. Schroeder was busy in January contacting processors and letting them know the details of the program as well as encouraging them to submit a proposal. She was available to meet with processors and guide them in writing the proposals and offer other help as necessary. The annual Valentine s Day promotion in February saw offers for media kits go out to over 800 newspaper food editors across the country. This year editors had two romantic recipes to choose from using Oregon raspberries. Individual Goat Cheese Cheesecakes with Red Raspberry Glaze and Jewel Toned Valentine Cookies with Red Raspberry Jam Filling were both well received. The press kit included the recipes, valentine themed photographs, a press release and background material on red raspberries. ORBC Administrator Philip Gütt, Jan Schroeder and Cat McKenzie worked in the fall and early winter this year, looking at the existing ORBC website and discussing how it could be updated to become more user friendly and best become the new internet face of Oregon berries. The website, which has not been revamped since the mid 1990 s is due for a change since it no longer meets the needs of current web designs and could become a much more viable tool for the industry. A proposal for the web update based on these discussions was presented to the ORBC commissioners in February and the website update will begin next fiscal year. The USDA Foodservice is an area that is important to most processors and growers, and Jan Schroeder is researching and updating information for this area. Schroeder is looking at past sales, changes in grading standards, new trends and opportunities through interviews with the USDA, the AMS, FNS and Oregon Schools. She will offer a report on her findings at an upcoming ORBC Commission meeting. Partnership monies from the ORBC have helped to fund a promotion with Sysco, one of the larger distributors of Oregon berries to foodservice. The promotion began in the month of January with Sysco promoting Oregon IQF berry case sales by offering price reductions on selected items, and publicizing these offers in its newsletter and through brokers. Sysco Scoop, the newsletter for Sysco customers ran an article on the importance of the health benefits of berries which received wide distribution. The ORBC produced a new brochure Extended Summer, highlighting the fact that Oregon IQF berries are available year round and are a great way for foodservice professionals to attract and keep customers through good taste. The health benefits of our berries were outlined in the brochure and gave buyers another good reason to look to Oregon berries for increased customer satisfaction. Four new foodservice recipes were developed specifically for the brochure featuring new ways to use frozen berries in high volume recipes. These brochures were handed out to Sysco buyers and distributors to help increase sales. This program will be repeated in June, with discounts on case sales and further promotions through Sysco. Further information on new health benefits of blackberries has been released and will provide consumers yet another great reason to buy berries. For more on this topic and how the ORBC can best promote it, see the related article in this newsletter. If you have any suggestions or need more information on ORBC marketing efforts, please contact us at 1-800-859-0355. Raspberry & Blackberry News 5
Raspberry & Blackberry News 6 Compound in Blackberries Shows Anti-Tumor Promise In research news, an extract derived from fresh blackberries has been seen to reduce cancerous tumors and prevent the proliferation of cancer cells in animal models, paving the way for further investigation into how it could be used to support human health. High antioxidant levels found in berries have been associated with a lower incidence of cancers. Little has been known however about the active ingredients in these antioxidants and how these components exert their effects on the inhibition of cancer growth. Researchers at the US Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety identified the water-soluble flavonoid cyanidin-3- glucoside (C3G) as the active compound responsible for blackberries antioxidant benefits. C3G was tested on a group of mice with skin tumors and a significant reduction in the growth and spreading of tumors was observed. Studies were also done on the effect of C3G on lung cancer cells of immune suppressed mice; lung cancer is more likely than other cancers to spread to other organs. It was observed that C3G reduced the growth of lung cancer cells in the mice and inhibited their spread. According to the ARS, the compound, which has been isolated and has a patent application pending, may one day become a key natural ingredient in new products formulated for their anti-cancer properties. The citation for this study is Cyanidin-3-glucoside, a natural product derived from blackberry, exhibits chemo preventive and chemotherapeutic activity. Ding M, Feng R, Wang SY, Bowman L, Lu Y, Qian Y, Castranova V, Jiang BH, Shi, X. J Biol Chem, 2006 Jun 23;281(25):17359-88 The ORBC has taken the information from both of these new studies and compiled them, along with further information on the health benefits of blackberries, into individual press kits. Specific press kits have been developed and targeted towards Health and Wellness Editors, Magazine Food Editors, Business Editors, Television and Newspaper Editors. These press kits will include information on the studies, a technical sheet with information on even more studies featuring blackberries, a blackberry health brochure/ card with the message about blackberries as a superfruit and background information on blackberries. We will be sending this extensive kit to hundreds of interested media outlets with the message that blackberries are an important part of a healthy diet and may have far reaching impact on chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and age related mental decline. Since this information is new and exciting, we expect to get good press coverage in a wide variety of media formats. Uniting Importers and Domestic Growers: Cooperative Market Development in the Red Raspberry Industry - by Tom Krugman, WRRC - The Washington Red Raspberry Commission (WRRC) believes that it is time to unite raspberry growers to concentrate on expanding North American markets for its fruit. Raspberry growers have nowhere near the marketing budgets of strawberry and blueberry neighbors. It has been difficult to invest large sums in nutrition research and promotion when grower returns are compromised by escalating labor and input costs, and when an increasingly large percentage of processed berries sold and marketed in the USA are of foreign origin. While total US production of red raspberries for processing has increased from 47.5 million pounds in 1991 to almost 75 million pounds in 2005, imported red raspberries have surged from 7.5 to 53.8 million pounds, with market share of all imports increasing from 14% to 42%. These trends have been a subject of continual discussion within the WRRC. Growers have struggled to provide an adequate answer to two questions. 1) Why should we assess ourselves to fund market development activities when foreign competitors will receive as great or greater benefit from our efforts as we do? 2) If it is unlikely that efforts to keep imports out of the domestic market will be successful, how do we engage all processed red raspberry suppliers to increase demand and grow the category for all raspberries, foreign and domestic? The WRRC looked at actions other industries in similar circumstances have pursued to address similar questions, and is convinced the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996 as administered by the USDA-AMS provides an appropriate answer. A generic Research & Promotion Program (R&P Program) is the most acceptable method to uniformly assess all raspberries regardless of origin, eliminate free-riders from accruing market benefits without contributing financial resources, and bring order and discipline to the marketing of processed raspberries in the USA. The intended purpose of an R&P program is to balance supply with demand, grow the market in the aggregate for all suppliers, and to increase the value of processed raspberries at the grower level. A recent article on the subject of generic research and promotion programs supports this approach. It stated that a national program ensures all players contribute equally to market development activities, and with the addition of assessment revenue generated by imports, the total amount of funds is greater than the domestic industry alone could generate. The article concluded by saying the additional funds help stimulate demand sufficiently to offset the potential decline in prices that you might expect with the rise in imports. This is important to processed red raspberry growers in the US, as increased imports are an expected reality. The WRRC believes that a jointly-funded nutrition messaging program will expand demand in the domestic market for all processed - Continued on Page 11 -
Help - We Need Another Name for a New Cultivar - Continued From Page 3 - first crop of Saanich and Cascade Dawn which both looked promising. We have grown Cascade Dawn before and found it was just as promoted- high yielding, early, and dark. It will have a niche fresh market. The 2004 and 2005 plantings of primocane fruiters have some promising selections (Tables RY2 and RYY3), especially ORUS 2786-2, ORUS 2786-5 and ORUS 2786-6. Too early to tell but if ORUS 2786-5 can get some yield on it, it is a very attractive high quality fruit. Black Raspberry Inheritance and Grower Trials: In the late 1990s, we evaluated 15 black raspberry cultivars and identified the top 8 performers. These 8 were crossed in a ½ diallel mating scheme to examine the inheritance of fruiting and vegetative traits and to generate populations that may be a source of new cultivars. In addition these 8 were planted in a replicated trial at OSU NWREC and in 3 commercial grower fields in the Portland area. Yield Trial: Jewel, Blackhawk and MacBlack were the highest yielding cultivars and all cultivars except Allen were higher yielding than Munger. We are excited about a number of these blackberry and raspberry selections and we will be seeking help in naming some of them. We are also very excited about the prospects of a committee of industry folks who will have a more intensive interaction with the breeding program. Dean & King Bredenkamp both Honored with Bob Conroy Award The Bob Conroy Award is a non-annual industry recognition award for people who have contributed in some significant way to the Oregon berry industry. In 1998 Bob Conroy was the first recipient. Past recipients include John Rowell, Arden Sheets, Francis Whitey Lawrence, Dean Katterheinrich, and Eugene Gene Littau. This year Dean and King Bredenkamp were honored at the annual growers meeting for his outstanding service to the berry industry with Scenic Fruit. 2007 International Berry Health Benefits Symposium The 2007 International Berry Health Benefits Symposium continues to be a focus for the ORBC. The symposium to be held June 11-12, 2007 in Corvallis will feature speakers from around the world discussing their research into the health benefits of berries. The event was created by the ORBC to have a forum that would showcase the important research happening in the area of berries and human health and allow scientists the opportunity to network and create new ideas for berry research. The first symposium held in 2005 was so well received that several other berry commissions wanted to join in this effort and make this a bi-annual event. This year s symposium will be co- host sponsored by the Oregon Raspberry & Blackberry Commission, the Oregon Strawberry Commission, the California Strawberry Commission, the US Highbush Blueberry Council, the Wild Blueberry Association of North America, the Washington Red Raspberry Commission and the Cranberry Institute. Each host sponsor has contributed between $10,000 and $15,000 to help raise the funds necessary to put on such an event. This year s speaker line up is an excellent mix of research into different berries. Several of the speakers from the first symposium will be returning to offer an update on their research. Among these are Gary Stoner of Ohio State University who will speak on his work with black raspberries and how they combat gastrointestinal cancers. The keynote speaker will be David Heber of the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition. Heber is the author of the L.A. Shape Diet and What Color is Your Diet? Heber will speak on What Color is Your Berry -The Rainbow of Berry Health which will address how berries make a unique and important contribution to our health. For more information on the symposium you may want to visit the website online at http://oregonstate.edu/conferences/berryhealth2007/ The symposium will be held at LaSells Stewart Center on the campus of Oregon State University. ORBC organizers hope for a large turnout with representatives of the foodservice industry, academia and the health and wellness industry attending. A Public Relations Committee made up of representatives of each of the host sponsors will send press packets prior to the symposium to members of the media and will also offer 4-5 stipends to cover expenses of reporters to the conference. After the conference is completed a second mailing, highlighting the research presented, will undoubtedly bring more interest from the media regarding berries and health. Raspberry & Blackberry News 7
Raspberry & Blackberry News Blackberries, Strawberries, & Raspberries Shown to Be Disease Fighting Super Fruit A recently released study has shown that blackberries contain the highest levels of health related antioxidants. Scientists from Norway and the United States tested 1130 commonly eaten foods for their antioxidant levels using the FRAP assay, a test that measures available antioxidants. They found that blackberries were the number one antioxidant food per serving tested. The FRAP assay, one of the major tests for antioxidant values uses the reducing value of iron oxide to test for the presence of free radicals of the top ten foods tested, based on serving size, five were berries. Blackberries topped the chart with a FRAP score of 5.746 micromoles per serving. Strawberries were the second highest ranking berry and raspberries came in third. Blueberries at 2.741 micromoles per serving, less than half that of blackberries, ranked 10th on the list. The citation for this study is Content of redoxactive compounds (i.e., antioxidants) in foods consumed in the United States - Halvorsen BL, Carlsen MH, Phillips KM, Bohn SK, Holte K, Jacobs DR, Blomhoff R. Am J Clin Nutr, 2006 Jul; 84(1): 95-135. ORBC Natural Letter To FDA It is impossible to flip through a food industry trade or technical journal without seeing articles praising formulated functional foods, isolated micronutrients or nanotechnology. These modern marvels have the potential to revolutionize the way foods are packed, shipped, and consumed in unimaginable ways. It will soon be difficult to detect formulated foods from many tradition favorite snacks or beverages. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has an open petition regarding definition of the term Natural for making claims on food and beverages regulated by the FDA (Docket No. 2006P- 0094). The petition, presented by the Sugar Association, requests more concise limits for processing and handling of ingredients in products bearing Natural label claims. On December 5, 2006 the USDA announced they were initiating rulemaking regarding a similar petition regarding the term Natural as it is used for marking meat and poultry. The USDA said in their summary press release: The Agency has decided to initiate rulemaking because it is the most appropriate, open, and transparent method to deal with issues surrounding the definition and use of the claim natural. 1 As a professional in the food industry and a consumer, I am please to see the ORBC has taken a leadership role in issuing a letter encouraging the FDA to take this petition to rulemaking. This action illustrates their commitment to transparent marketing and nurturing a collaborative relationship between consumers, regulators and industry. With cane berries used in various formats of minimally processed and highly processed foods, an open dialog on this topic is absolutely necessary to ensure any label claim is both accurate and achievable. Ryan Wist is Quality Assurance/Food Safety Manager of Scenic Fruit Company. ryan@scenicfruit.com 1 From 12/05/06 USDA FSIS Press release Federal Register Volume 71, Number 233 Page 70503-70505. 2007-2008 ORBC Proposed Research Budget 1. Genetic Fingerprints for IQF Marion Whole Berries and Puree 2. Irrigation Management Practices for Better Root and Fruit Rot Control in Red Raspberry 3. Caneberry Pesticide Registration and Tracking 4. Evaluation of Wild Black Raspberry (Rubus occidentalis) Populations for Disease Resistance, Fruit Quality and Vigor 5. Evaluation of Rimsulfuron (Matrix) Herbicide as a New Herbicide for Use in Caneberries 6. Development of New Raspberry Cultivars for the Pacific Northwest 7. Evaluating the Distribution and Incidence of Strawberry Crown Moth and Raspberry Cane Borer in Oregon Caneberries 8. Research Coordinator 9. Expansion of a Weekly Email IPM Newsletter for Small Fruit Growers and Related Industry Personnel 10. Potential Use of Furaneol as an Aroma Marker to Develop Thornless Blackberries with Marion-Like Flavor 8 11. Chromosome Doubling of Whitford Thornless Blackberry (Rubus argutus) 12. Cooperative Breeding Program
OREGON RASPBERRY & BLACKBERRY COMMISSION ACTUAL APPROVED ESTIMATED PROPOSED BUDGET BUDGET EXPENSES BUDGET 2005-06 2006-07 2006-07 2007-08 Raspberry & Blackberry News SUMMARY OF REVENUES Assessments $496,297.23 $483,480 $455,000 $454,450 Interest income 6,779.38 3,000 9,847 9,500 Other Income 24,647.95 0 0 0 Grant Income 0.00 0 0 0 TOTAL REVENUE 527,724.56 486,480 464,847 463,950 Carryover/Begin. Cash Balance 262,500.35 380,000 388,282 330,000 Available for Fiscal Year 790,224.91 866,480 853,129 793,950 Expenditures 790,224.91 866,480 853,129 793,950 Ending Cash Balance $0.00 $0 $0 $0 SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES Materials & Services $92,510.00 $95,785 $95,985 $101,550 Special Payments 301,835.11 420,860 398,760 433,500 Capital Outlay 0.00 0 0 0 Emergency Fund 388,281.80 341,835 349,360 250,000 ODA Oversight 7,598.00 8,000 9,024 8,900 Total Budget $790,224.91 $866,480 $853,129 $793,950 MATERIALS & SERVICES Materials & Supplies $9,303.52 $8,000 $8,000 $9,000 Communications 6,181.34 5,500 5,500 6,000 Travel & Admin. Travel 2,600.27 4,000 4,000 4,000 Meals & lodging 6,788.66 6,000 6,000 7,000 Freight & postage 4,177.20 6,500 6,500 6,500 Insurance & Bonds 831.56 500 700 700 Auditing fees 1,815.85 0 0 0 Auditing fund 0.00 0 0 0 Legal fees 1,282.60 3,000 3,000 3,000 Other Purchased Services 29.00 1,000 1,000 1,000 Administrative Services 59,500.00 61,285 61,285 64,350 Total Materials & Services $92,510.00 $95,785 $95,985 $101,550 SPECIAL PAYMENTS Promotion $219,780.70 $291,400 $282,755 $221,500 Promotion Matching Grant 0.00 0 0 100,000 Research 71,998.20 102,460 90,405 86,000 Education 2,200.00 6,500 5,000 6,000 Legislative Education 7,856.21 20,500 20,600 20,000 Assessment Refund 0.00 0 0 0 Total Special Payments $301,835.11 $420,860 $398,760 $433,500 CAPITAL OUTLAY $0.00 $0 $0 $0 ODA MGMT. FEE $7,598.00 $8,000 $9,024 $8,900 EMERGENCY FUND $388,281.80 $341,835 $349,360 $250,000 GRAND TOTAL BUDGETED $790,224.91 $866,480 $853,129 $793,950 9
Raspberry & Blackberry News 2 0 0 6-2 0 0 7 Oregon Raspberry & Blackberry Commission Commissioner List Chairman Dave Dunn Vice -chairman Pieper Sweeney Pieper Sweeney 860 Ferry St. Dayton, OR 97114 503-864-2656 SweeneyPreserves@aol.com Jerry Stratton 37661 SE Bear Creek Road Boring, OR 97009 503-668-9674 strattonfarms@peoplepc.com Leonard Heidt 16563 Otter Lane NE Mt. Angel, OR 97362 503-951-0257 ljjeh@monitorcoop.com Wayne Bochsler 13705 Monitor Mckee Rd NE Mt. Angel, OR 97362 503-634-2126 wmboch@monitorcoop.com Don Sturm PO Box 245 Corbett, OR 97019 503-695-2743 thesturms@earthlink.net Willard Kreder PO Box 732 Jefferson, OR 97352 541-327-0106 wskreder@msn.com Dave Dunn 2994 82 nd A v e N E Salem, OR 97305 503-362-8678 ddwvfc@aol.com Gery Amos RainSweet 740 Bassett St NW Salem, OR 97304 503-363-4293 ext20 gamos@rainsweet.com Phil Lavine Public Member Chemeketa Community College 4000 Lancaster Drive NE Salem, OR 97309-7070 503-399-5089 lavp@chemeketa.edu 2006-2007 Committee List Budget Committee Dave Dunn, Chair Leonard Heidt Wayne Bochsler Willard Kreder Pieper Sweeney Legislative/Labor/Education Committee Willard Kreder, Chair Pieper Sweeney Phil LaVine Don Sturm 10 Marionberry Regional Name Protection Ad Hoc Dave Dunn, Chair Leonard Heidt Wayne Bochsler Phil LaVine Rufus LaLone ex officio Promotion Committee Pieper Sweeney, Chair Phil LaVine Dave Dunn Leonard Heidt Gery Amos Don Sturm Research Committee Wayne Bochsler, Chair Jerry Stratton Willard Kreder Tom Peerbolt Research Coord./ex officio Rufus LaLone ex officio Promotion Matching Grant Committee Leonard Heidt, Chair Phil LaVine Wayne Bochsler Willard Kreder Mark Anderson - ex officio
Washington State University Raspberry Breeding Program - by Patrick Moore - Objective The primary objective of the raspberry breeding program is to develop summer fruiting red raspberry cultivars with improved yields and fruit quality, and resistance to root rot and RBDV. The focus will be on selections adapted to machine harvesting for processing uses especially for IQF. Additionally seedlings and selections that have potential for the fresh market will be identified. Cascade Delight was released in 2003 as a late season fresh market raspberry with significant root rot tolerance. The long, stiff fruiting laterals are broken easily by the machine harvester and it is not suited to machine harvesting. Cascade Dawn was released in 2005 as an early season, local fresh market raspberry with significant root rot tolerance. Although it has not been adequately tested, it may also be resistant to RBDV. The fruit of Cascade Dawn does not release easily until it is relatively ripe. Because of this it is not suited to machine harvesting or fresh market to distant markets. Both Cascade Delight and Cascade Dawn are being planted in modest numbers. Cascade Bounty was released in 2005 as a late season, machine harvestable raspberry with excellent root rot tolerance. On some of the most severe root rot sites at WSU Puyallup, Cascade Bounty has had extremely high yields. Machine harvest evaluations indicate that Cascade Bounty machine harvests well, but the fruit does not have sufficient cohesion for IQF use. The fruit should be acceptable for bulk, puree and juice. Cascade Bounty represents the first machine harvestable summer fruiting raspberry for the Pacific Northwest with significant levels of root rot tolerance. Currently sales of Cascade Bounty are limited by the ability of propagators to produce plants. 2006 Progress The WSU raspberry breeding program shifted the focus of the program five years ago, placing more emphasis on evaluation of selections for machine harvestability. Now selections are made at WSU Puyallup and propagated as rapidly as possible and planted with a cooperating grower and machine harvested. Machine harvesting trials have been planted annually with cooperating growers over the past five years. In that time, 248 different WSU raspberry selections have been planted and in the past three years 142 WSU selections have been evaluated for machine harvestability. Twenty-four selections have been identified in the first three harvest seasons that machine harvest well. Addition evaluations have resulted in many of these selections being discarded with yield, susceptibility to disease, low vigor, flavor, color and appearance being considerations. In 2006, in addition to the machine harvest evaluations, 12 WSU selections that appeared to machine harvest well were run through an IQF tunnel. Most of the selections were not suitable for IQF, but four selections appeared to have promise and may have potential for IQF use. In 2005, 9,700 seedlings were planted at WSU Puyallup and, in 2006, 9,600 seedlings were planted. Selections will be made in these seedlings starting in 2007. As more selections are evaluated by machine harvesters, characteristics associated with adaptation to machine harvesting will be identified, improving the selection process. Similarly, as more selections are screened for adaptation to IQF uses, characteristics associated with this trait will be identified. Grower Trials The four selections that appear to machine harvest and have potential for IQF will be distributed to commercial propagators in 2007 and some plants for trial may be available for grower trials after the 2008 season. Uniting Importers & Domestic Growers: Cooperative Market Development in the Red Raspberry Industry - Continued on Page 6 - raspberries, with improved visibility to consumers who for the most part are unaware of or unconcerned about the origin of the product they consume. In order to bring focus to a proposed R&P Program, the WRRC and the Raspberry Industry Development Council, representing red raspberry growers in British Columbia, completed a strategic review during the summer of 2006. There was consensus that demand and market growth could best be accomplished by first, analyzing existing nutritional research and conducting new research on the positive nutritional qualities of raspberries, second, communicating these advantages to consumers, food processors and the food industry in simple, understandable terms, and third, increasing the number of new raspberry products and the use of raspberries in existing products. Through a generic R&P Program, the red raspberry industry will be able to effectively capitalize on the nutritional and health benefits of raspberries to improve demand and raise field level prices above the cost of production. Establishing an R&P Program is accomplished through a referendum where both domestic growers and importers will have a vote. From the time the WRRC submits its proposal to USDA, expected in late, until the referendum takes place could be anywhere from 12-18 months. During that period, there will be extensive opportunity for all industry participants to comment on the proposal, with grower involvement crucial to the establishment of the program. More information on R&P programs can be found on the USDA website located at http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/rpb.html. We hope raspberry growers around the nation will investigate how this program might be able to help increase per capita consumption of this wonderful product and increase returns to the growers. None of the challenges facing the red raspberry industry are insurmountable. Under the organization provided by a national program assessing all market participants, the future of the domestic raspberry industry is bright. For additional information or comments, please contact Henry Bierlink, 360-354-8767, henry@red-raspberry.org or Tom Krugman, 360-704-9277, tomk@red-raspberry.org. Raspberry & Blackberry News 11
S trawberry News Notice of Public Hearing Oregon Strawberry Commission Proposed Budget The Proposed Budget is Published on Page 15 As required by ORS 576.416, the Oregon Strawberry Commission (OSC) will hold a public meeting for the purpose of receiving comments on the Commission s proposed budget for the next fiscal year. DATE: Tuesday, May 10, 2007 TIME: 6:00 p.m. PLACE: Roth s West 1130 Wallace Road NW Salem, OR 97304 Copies of the proposed budget are available at the commission office, 4845 B SW Dresden Ave., Corvallis, OR 97333, and on-line at www.oregonstrawberries.org. The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or for other accommodations for person with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours before the meeting to 541-758-4043, TTY 503-986-4762. Washington State University Strawberry Breeding Program - by Patrick P. Moore - Objective The primary objective of the strawberry breeding program is to develop new June-bearing strawberry cultivars for the Pacific Northwest processing industry. A secondary effort is being made to identify seedlings and selections that have potential for the fresh market. For both uses, increased emphasis is being placed on fruit visibility and ease of harvest. 2006 Progress For the first time in several years, there were seedlings with very good fruit size in the seedling field. There were 35 selections made out of 5,300 seedlings in that field. These have been propagated and will be evaluated in plots. Also for the first time in several years, there were several selections in the replicated plots that had good yields (over 10 t/a), good size (better than Totem at 12.6 t/a) and good firmness (better than Totem at 206 g). There were several of these selections that combined good yield, size and firmness. After looking at frozen samples of these selections there are four or five that have potential. Although these selections are promising, this is the first time they have been seen in plots. There is the temptation to get excited about these selections, but they have to continue to do well in 2007 before they are propagated for wide testing. 12 NWREC, Strawberry Open House - by Bernadine Strik, OSU - The Strawberry Open House at the NWREC, Aurora, Oregon will be on Wednesday, June 13, 2007. The open house will start at 2:00 p.m. with some brief presentations. This will be followed by a tour through the breeding plots and refreshments. For more information contact 503-678-1264. Spartan/Strawberry Section 18 Granted for 2007-2008 - by Joe DeFrancesco, Oregon State University - EPA granted Oregon s request for a Section 18 for use of Spartan 4F herbicide during 2007 and 2008; the Section 18 is in effect from March 15, 2007 to February 29, 2008. This is the seventh year EPA has approved a Section 18 while the full, permanent registration of Spartan (sulfentrazone) is pending. A Section 18 registration is a time-limited emergency registration. Spartan is effective in controlling many broadleaf and grass weeds, and weeds that are resistance to currently registered strawberry herbicides. Section 18 allows use of Spartan 4F during three distinct use periods: at pre-plant, post-renovation, and during dormancy. A copy of the Section 18 label must be in possession of the user at the time of application.
Strawberry News Large Numbers of Selections for Grower Trials in 2008 - by USDA-ARS/OSU Cooperative Strawberry Breeding Program - Chad Finn, USDA-ARS, HCRL, Bernadine Strik, OSU, Dept. of Horticulture Ted Mackey, USDA-ARS Connie Pace and Gil Buller, OSU-NWREC Objectives and Introduction The breeding program continues with the primary objective of developing processing cultivars that are improvements over Totem. However, a significant change has taken place in the breeding program over the past 5 years as we have made a conscious effort to be more aware of selections with fresh market potential, including day-neutral types. Pinnacle and Tillamook were recently released as processing and fresh market cultivars. Tillamook has done fairly well although it can be too big for some processing applications and it can have low Brix in cloudy weather. Both of these are ideal berries for growers as they are high yielding and large fruited with open plant canopies making them easy to pick. While highly desirable to growers, the processors are getting their first look at large quantities of fruit from these. We plan to release ORUS 1790-1 as a cultivar. Overall we had a successful year. We planted our smallest seedling field ever due to problems with our seed. We will probably have a very large field in 2007 to compensate. We made 55 selections out of 8,000 seedlings, of which 40 had cultivar potential and 15 were selections from a germplasm project we have ongoing with Michigan State University. We also collect, evaluate and incorporate new Fragaria germplasm which will bring new traits into our breeding material over the long run New Cultivars ORUS 1790-1 (Anaheim x Puget Reliance) will be released as a cultivar in 2007 based on performance in grower trials and potential value seen in it by commercial nurseries. While it can be sold processed or fresh it has dark fruit. Totem size, excellent yield, uniform shape, good flavor; excellent open, vigorous plant. Grower Trials We have several selections that need to be tested in grower trials or are being tested in grower trials. It is important to get your participation in this process. We need your help evaluating their commercial viability. All of the following should be available as bare root dormant plants from Sakuma Bros. Nursery in 2008. Several of them will be available from the breeding program as plug plants this spring. If there is something you would particularly like to trial this year, let us know and we will see if it is possible. ORUS 1735-1; WSU 2187 x ORUS 1267-250; Dual use fresh/processed; Early ripening; Large (Puget Reliance size), attractive, excellent flavor, Excellent processing quality but may have best use Fresh ORUS 1754-2; Fresh; WA 88097-47 x ORUS 1376-16; Good yield, large fruit, excellent flavor; glossy, attractive, firm, large; Concerns: Doesn t cap well ORUS 1769-1; Dual use fresh/processed; Annapolis x ORUS 1376-16; Large, firm fruit, excellent flavor, very good color; Productive; Vigorous, ORUS 1827-2; Fresh; Laguna x Totem; Large, firm, bright, good flavor; Excellent yield; V. nice plant. ORUS 1947-2; Processed; ORUS 1376-16 x ORUS 1083-135; Very high yield; Medium fruit size; Flavor tart but good; Processing potential initially looks good; Concerns: size (=Totem), firmness ORUS 2180-1; Dual use- fresh/processed; B 753 x ORUS 1735-1; Med-large size, excellent flavor; excellent plant; Good yields (greater than Totem). Outstanding cultivar potential based on grower trials in BC. Unfortunately, just up and died in our planting so we are hesitant to proceed despite hearing remarkable interest by some growers! ORUS 2240-1; Dual use- fresh/processed; Puget Reliance x B754. Very high yield in multiple plantings V. large, Firm, eats well fresh. V. attractive w/good internal & external color. Main concern is capping has ranged from poor to excel. Scored very well in 2004 cutting ORUS 2273-1; Fresh; NW 91069-83 x ORUS 1769-1; Very high yield; Very large fruit size; Very good flavor; Firm but juicy; very nice fresh eating. Concerns: appearance. The following have been identified in trials as excellent and are being moved to the propagators: ORUS 2427-1 Dual use- fresh/processed; Pinnacle x ORUS 1723-3; Seems to combine Fruit quality of 1723s with fruit size & yield of Pinnacle. Main concern is appearance of fruit ORUS 2427-4 Dual use- fresh/processed; Pinnacle x ORUS 1723-3; Seems to combine Fruit quality of 1723s with fruit size & yield of Pinnacle. Main concern is appearance of fruit ORUS 2490-2 Processing ORUS 1722-2 x Pinnacle. Identified by growers and researchers as outstanding as processed and very high yielding. Excellent bright color, firm, uniform, low drip loss. ORUS 2493-2 Dual use- fresh/processed; ORUS 1790-1 X Pinnacle; Identified at cuttings and field days as outstanding. Large, attractive, glossy caps. Based on feedback from growers and processors this winter on a few of our new selections, we are more excited than we have been since Tillamook and Pinnacle were released about the prospects for some of our selections. We are excited by the commissions renewed interest in making sure grower trials happen. Thanks! 13
2006-2007 OSC Committee List Strawberry News Budget Committee Michael Christensen, Chair Ken Kraemer Arne Goddik Elizabeth Howley Research Committee Arne Goddik, Chair Randy Pavlinac Jerry May Tom Peerbolt, Ex-Officio Legislative Committee Ken Kraemer, Chair Michael Christensen Arne Goddik Jerry May Education/Promotion Committee Michael Christensen, Co-Chair Elizabeth Howley, Co-Chair Ken Kraemer The Oregon Strawberry Commission (OSC) has created a special Oregon Strawberries - Sweeter. Redder. Simply Better. product seal for food manufacturers to use. Oregon Strawberries are ideal for quality ice creams. They re red through and through, and naturally sweet, allowing ice cream makers to save on dyes and processed sugars. When you see this special seal on a food product, it means one thing: it contains the best-tasting strawberry available. Manufacturers who create products made with Oregon strawberries are eligible to use this seal on their packaging and promotional material. The OSC will provide its newest promotional brochure to businesses using the OSC seal. For more information about using the seal and receiving a highresolution image, please contact us at 541-758-4043 or visit www.oregon-strawberries.org and click on Oregon Strawberry Seal. 2007-2008 OSC Proposed Research Budget 1. Strawberry Pesticide Registration and Tracking 2. Evaluation of Selected Post-Emergence Herbicides for Use in Strawberries 3. Evaluation of New Herbicides for Established Strawberries 4. Development of New Strawberry Cultivars for the Pacific Northwest 5. Expansion of a Weekly IPM Newsletter for Small Fruit Growers and Related Industry Personnel 6. Evaluating Practical Monitoring Tools for Root Weevils in Northwest Strawberries 14 7. Cooperative Breeding Program Strawberries