=========================================================== New England Agricultural Statistics Service - - - a field office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service United States Department of Agriculture Aubrey R. Davis, Director Phone: (603) 224-9639 22 Bridge St, 3rd Floor Fax: (603) 225-1434 PO Box 1444 Internet: http://www.usda.gov/nass/ Concord, NH 03302-1444 E-Mail: nass.nh@nass.usda.gov =========================================================== Massachusetts Cranberry August 2005 August 16, 2005 The following is an abbreviated version of the report. The entire document is available as a PDF file on the Internet through: http://www.nass.usda.gov/nh/ =========================================================== A special THANK YOU goes to Massachusetts cranberry growers and processors who have helped us by completing the cranberry survey during July and August. Massachusetts Cranberry Production Forecast Down Six Percent, U.S. Up Five Percent The United States forecast for the 2005 cranberry crop is 6.49 million barrels, up five percent from both 2004 and 2003. Production is forecast to be up in New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin, and down in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts cranberry crop is forecast at 1.7 million barrels, down six percent from 2004’s production, but 21 percent above 2003. Heavy winter snowfall damaged vines in some areas. A rainy May delayed bloom and slowed development of the crop. The crop was rated in good condition in early July, but below average rainfall that month had growers concerned about berry sizing. Growers were irrigating where available. Production in Wisconsin is forecast at 3.67 million barrels, 11 percent above 2004 and two percent above 2003. Minimal winter damage and good weather during fruit set have created the potential for above average yields. Recent hot, dry weather has many producers irrigating on a regular basis. The season is on a normal pace with no major pest problems reported. The Oregon crop is forecast at 515,000 barrels, four percent above last year and one percent above 2003. A warm winter and cool spring caused early season pest and weed problems for some producers. The cool, wet spring also affected pollination and slowed crop development. However, conditions have generally improved since then and an average to good sized crop is expected. New Jersey expects a crop of 434,000 barrels up eight percent from 2004 but ten percent below 2003. Growers reported an average to heavy bloom, with fruit set and fruit size about normal. No significant weather damage is reported. The Washington crop is forecast at 175,000 barrels, three percent above last year but eight percent below 2003. A warm spring provided an early and extended bloom. Crop development was running about two weeks ahead of average with a good set on the vines. Favorable weather and few pest problems were reported. MASSACHUSETTS Cranberry Production – 2004: Cranberry production in Massachusetts during 2004 was nearly 1.81 million barrels, a 29 percent increase from 2003’s production. Harvested acreage decreased from 14,400 acres in 2003 to 14,100 in 2004. The 2004 Massachusetts’ cranberry yield averaged 128.2 barrels per acre. MASSACHUSETTS CRANBERRY GROWERS COMMENTS AUGUST 2005, AS REPORTED ON THE SURVEY Three to four weeks late because of wet, cold spring, but perfect weather for flower and set; maybe we'll catch up one or two weeks? * The season was slow to start, spotty bloom and set. * Not a good year for weather. * There was a lot of winter kill. * Odd year. Fruit didn't set well, especially Ben Lear and Stevens. * Crop was held back due to cold spring. It is catching up. * Loss of 75% due to spagworm and fireworm. * There were a lot of insects this year. * Lack of rain is always a problem as we have limited water supply and have to rent a generator to obtain water from our deep well. * Rained all of May, No rain during June-July. * Grown organically so they don't get a big crop. * The bloom was very long this year, about 3 weeks instead of a week and a half. * Hot and humid days with long spell without natural rainfall. The plants and berries are not moving in spite of continuous irrigation. * Berry size is small, good weather may improve the size. * Growing season was going along fine, until this dry and very hot weather came along. * Bees didn't work well this year with the bad weather. One section looks very good. * Hot & humid days with long spells without rain. * Pruned my bogs this year...expect less volume. Dry year - berries appear smaller than last year. * Some thin spots in the bog. * Not a great year. Not the kind of bloom he wants. * Rain during pollination -- light year. Disappointing year and now a lack of rain. * Going pretty good * A little dry at this time. * Seems to be a decent growing season thus far. * Have a difficult time getting help to tend to the bogs. * Everything looks good at the moment. We're still recovering from heavy winter kill in 2003-2004. If conditions continue to be good we should have a decent crop. * Set was spotty". * Bad fireworm last year. * Had lots of winter kill. * Looks like this year will be better than last year but the berries are awfully small. * Cold spring so the crop is late this year. * Week of bad weather during set, about a week behind due to it. Poor pollination. * The bloom was "spotty" and long. * Three acres set very well and two acres did not set well. There was a late bloom and then a heat blast - this may have affected the set. Dealing with lots of fungus, but seems to have stayed ahead. * Everything looks good so far. * Lots of problems with weeds. * Heavy snow cover over the winter months deprived vines of needed sunlight, pushing growth back 7-10 days. A late bloom, with wet, cool weather impaired pollination, prolonging the process. Hot, dry weather at fruit set has kept pin heads from swelling to an average size. * 2004 was a horrible year - hopes 2005 is good - looks good so far. * The 2005 crop looks the same as last year. * Had winter kill the last three years. * Good year but still behind. * Heat and drought will affect crop. Early Black bloom average. Howe bloom is heavy. Some vine damage from heavy snow cover. Low insect pressure; good weather to set berries. * Progress is good. The only factor affecting the crop is lack of rainfall. * Progress - slow. Condition - fair, hot dry summer reduces production. * Snow cover till April and now has problems with fireworm. * Need rain. * Good right up to no rain -- bad drought. * Good year, however lack of rain is a concern. * Bloom and Set were/are late. Sizing catching up. Extreme heat, humidity and lack of rain at size up stage. * Scattered bloom this year. Late bloom also. Hope they have time to size up. Hot, hot days in June & July. Already have signs of heat blast on newer bogs. We need rain. * Hot weather keeping size down right now, hopes for rain. * Heat and lack of rain are leading to small berries. * Upset with price of cranberries and just trying to keep income to pay taxes. * Changing bogs over to organic. * It was a rough bloom -- the rain caused poor pollination. * Exceptional bloom on all varieties. Stevens variety has a very poor set. Early Blacks with only a fair set. Howes appear to have set well. All varieties are 10 - 14 days behind which does not bode well for color or size. Bee activity was exceptionally low with both a lack of nectar flow and weather contributing. * Need to water more often. * Bogs are healthy. Some fruit worm damage. * Dry weather. * Late set and bloom. * Bloom very late - could lead to small size. * Oxygen deficiency during winter due to heavy snows. * Got hit with worms very badly to the point that they may not harvest at all this year. * No rain, hot weather. * Wet May, only three days of sun the whole month! * We were struck by "winter moth." The bud for this year is not there in many locations. We have taken steps to bring back the bogs so next year will be better. * Need rain otherwise crop yield will be down. * Berries have not developed. Late bloom, expecting to pick mid-October. * Good crop. * Not good growing crop - still some blooms on bogs. * Need rain. Some vine damage due to heavy snow cover. Low insect pressure. * Need moisture. *Everything is two weeks behind. We will be ok as long as we get some rain! * Insects are not a problem at this point for us - but a lot of growing season ahead. Some growers have had insect problems already. * Had blackhead fireworm damage in the last few years, but they've cleaned the problem up. This year is looking much better. * Too soon to tell, average year he thinks. * Early varieties set well but the late bloomers got hit by the heat and didn't set so well. Lots of sprinkling. * Major problem with Black Headed Fireworm - destroyed at least 50% of crop. * Bog under too much snow, not enough water last winter, no sunlight. * Winter kill. * Need rain - we're in a drought. * Irrigation is the key during this dry weather. * Watering every other day. * Low water at this time, and not using a lot now to plump them up because he is afraid that he will not have enough water for harvest. This year is not that much different in yield from 2004 - has not been intensively managing. Bloom was late this year by a couple of weeks. Kept bees longer. ? Crop looks good at the present time. * Two weeks behind. * Unusual growing season. No rain for a month then poured during the night of August 1st. * Everything is behind. * Top crop - no berries underneath the vine. * Frost damage not much of a crop. * Looks pretty good --easier season than average. Approximately 30" of snow on the edges which caused winter damage due to lack of sun penetration and oxygen deficiency. * Crop is coming slow -- behind because of weather. * Some winter damage from heavy snow, with some recovery by the time bloom started, especially Early Blacks. Rainy weather at July 4-10 week coupled with very hot dry days for the remainder of July have a disappointing set. * Need rain, too dry. * Lack of rain makes berries small. * It's been a hot year for the cranberries (temperature wise). * Rough winter, lots of snow cover. * This year's crop is weedy, but otherwise ok. * Lack of rain may prove to reduce the size some what - reservoir is still holding up but expect it to start dropping in Aug. * Average year. * Early Black variety had a light bloom. Howes (late) variety had a heavy bloom. * It was way too wet in the spring -- about two weeks behind now. * Recovering from prior year winter injury. * Very late bloom - expect small fruit. * Delayed bloom because of wet spring. * Rain not enough - on verge of drought. ? Not enough rain, on verge of drought. ? The crop is a little behind. * The early varieties set well, but the late bloomers got hit by the heat and didn't set so well. * Lots of sprinkling. * We need rain. This report is taken from the national Cranberries report published by USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service at 1:00 p.m. on August 16, 2005. The Cranberries report is issued annually on the third Tuesday in August. Acreage, yield, production, and value of the 2004 crop was published in the Non-Citrus Fruit and Nuts report published on July 6, 2005. Preliminary acreage, yield, production, and value for the 2005 crop will be available in the Non-Citrus Fruit and Nuts report published in mid-January, 2005. National Reports can be ordered by calling 1-800-999-6779. How can you get these reports electronically? * All National reports and State newsletters are available on the Internet at: http://www.usda.gov/nass * For free National e-mail reports, send a message to: usda-reports@usda.mannlib.cornell.edu and in the body type: lists * For freeState newsletters, such as this, send a message to: listserv@newsbox.usda.gov and type:subscribe usda-new-eng-all-reports OR for a list of all available reports type: lists in the body of the message. Aubrey R. Davis, Director Gerald Tillman, Deputy Director Dave Mikelson, Statistician Deirdre Davis, Statistical Assistant *****************end of report*******************************