Associated Press writer Patrick Whittle reported yesterday that, “Maine’s wild blueberry crop is likely to be much smaller this year than in recent summers because the industry is contending with troubles such as disease and a lack of pollination.

“The New England state is the wild blueberry capital of the U.S., and in recent years crop sizes have soared and prices have plummeted, bringing uncertainty to a key state industry. The crop grew a little less than one percent last year to almost 102 million pounds (46 million kilograms), while prices hit a 10-year low of 27 cents per pound to farmers.

“But it’s apparent as the summer harvest nears its end that that’s all changing this year, University of Maine horticulture professor David Yarborough said. He said ‘mummy berry’ disease, a crop-killing ailment caused by a fungal pathogen, and other factors could cut the crop as much as 36 percent this summer.”

The AP article stated that, “Yarborough said a shortage of pollinators like bees, a lack of rain and some localized frost issues have also held back the blueberry crop. Another factor influencing the crop size is that farming effort appears to be down this year, possibly influenced by the low prices to farmers, he said.

“The high crops of recent years have taken a toll on the industry due to oversupply. The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved up to $10 million to purchase surplus Maine blueberries last month in an effort to prop up prices. The USDA also made a similar move in 2016.

“One year of lower blueberry yield might not be enough to raise prices, Yarborough said, because so many surplus blueberries from past years remain in freezer storage. A rise in prices to farmers could eventually impact consumers in the form of higher prices, but it’s unclear yet if that will happen any time soon, he said.”

Jennifer Maloney reported last week at The Wall Street Journal Online that, “Some of the country’s biggest craft brewers are struggling with falling sales, hurt by a glut of competitors crowding retail shelves and moves by megabrewers to scoop up some of their rivals.

“‘It is more competitive than it has ever been,’ said Ken Grossman, founder and chief executive of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., the No. 2 U.S. craft brewer by volume.

“His company’s retail-store sales were off 7.5% this year as of July 16, according to Beer Marketer’s Insights. The brewer’s shipment volumes fell 6.9% in 2016—its first decline since Sierra Nevada was founded in 1980. Just two years ago, the Chico, Calif., company logged record sales after opening a second brewery in North Carolina.”

The Journal article noted that, “After years of strong gains, American craft brewers are now bracing for a shakeout. Shipments are falling for many independent brewers stuck in the middle between local niche brands and competitors that were bought by heavyweights such as Anheuser-Busch InBev and Molson Coors.

“Besides Sierra Nevada, those losing ground include Sam Adams maker Boston Beer Co., the biggest independent brewer, as well as smaller producers such as F.X. Matt Brewing Co., which brews Saranac in upstate New York, and Abita Brewing Co. in Louisiana, according to Beer Marketer’s Insights.”

Last week’s Journal article added that, “There were 5,562 total breweries in the U.S. as of June 30, up roughly 900 from the previous June, according to the Brewers Association.”

An update yesterday from South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension stated that, “During 2017 Dakotafest, the most frequently asked question Paul O. Johnson, SDSU Extension Weed Science Coordinator received from growers was: ‘How will soybean fields affected by dicamba drift or sprayer contamination yield?’

“‘It would be nice if there was a formula that could be used to determine that answer but unfortunately, that is wishful thinking,’ Johnson said. ‘Trying to predict soybean yield response to observed short-term plant injury symptoms caused by dicamba injury is nearly impossible.’

“However, Johnson added there are some things growers should consider which may be useful in answering the question.”

The SDSU update noted that, “First, examine the growing point of the soybean plant.

“‘Continued development of new leaves is a positive sign,’ he said. ‘Historically, when dicamba injury was noted on soybean before June 15, and if the growing point remained healthy, it was very likely no yield reduction would be noted.’

“If the growing point was damaged, Johnson said, based on historical data, a yield reduction was likely.

“‘Throughout most of the fields I have scouted this year, the growing point is still intact,’ he said. ‘However, many dicamba applications occurred this year after June 15. And, no credible information exists on the potential yield reduction to soybean when dicamba injury happens after June 15.'”

Sarah Jarvis reported last week at the Minneapolis Star Tribune Online that, “Bob and Bonnie Dehn didn’t plan on being farmers. He was a mailman, she worked in finance, and they just wanted to own some land to build a house and grow flowers to sell at the local farmers market.

“When Bob was diagnosed with cancer in 1979 they started Dehn’s Garden, a family farm in Andover where they could grow and harvest vegetables and herbs to support themselves in case he took a turn for the worse. Now they want to retire, but they’re struggling to find buyers who will continue the 105-acre operation. Their two daughters don’t want to do it, and the offers they’ve entertained have fizzled out.

“The Dehns’ situation illustrates the strains faced by family farms in the metro area, from the difficulty of finding farmers who can afford to buy and maintain large operations to preserving a rural lifestyle in a sprawling suburban area.”

The article indicated that, “Sellers hoping to secure a future for their farms have some options. They can connect with buyers through websites that list properties including Minnesota Farm Link, created by the state Agriculture Department to bring retiring and new farmers together. Landowners, including the Dehns, aren’t always aware of such matchmaking programs.

“One problem is that land prices often are prohibitive for young farmers. Bonnie Dehn said land in the area has been selling for $20,000 to $30,000 per acre.”

Ms. Jarvis added that, “Jan Joannides, executive director of Renewing the Countryside, a nonprofit that works to support rural communities and farmers, said her organization is working with others this fall to create a ‘farmers access hub‘ ­— a support network for farmers looking to buy and sell that may include a type of land trust. She said suburban farmers face special challenges, such as insufficient zoning and neighbors who complain about the sounds and smells of a farm.

Mikkel Pates reported yesterday at AgWeek Online that, “Farmers, agronomists and insurers in the region continue to wade through the troubled waters of soybean damage attributed to off-target drift damage from the herbicide dicamba.

Reuters writers Tom Polensek and Karl Plume reported today that, “With Monsanto Co’s latest flagship weed killer, dicamba, banned in Arkansas and under review by U.S. regulators over concerns it can drift in the wind, farmers and weed scientists are also complaining that confusing directions on the label make the product hard to use safely.

“Dicamba, sold under different brand names by BASF and DuPont, can vaporize under certain conditions and the wind can blow it into nearby crops and other plants. The herbicide can damage or even kill crops that have not been genetically engineered to resist it.

“To prevent that from happening, Monsanto created a 4,550-word label with detailed instructions. Its complexity is now being cited by farmers and critics of the product. It was even singled out in a lawsuit as evidence that Monsanto’s product may be virtually impossible to use properly.”

The article noted that, “‘The restriction on these labels is unlike anything that’s ever been seen before,’ said Bob Hartzler, an agronomy professor and weed specialist at Iowa State University.

“The label instructions are also of interest to lawyers for farmers suing Monsanto, BASF and DuPont over damage they attribute to the potent weed killer moving off-target to nearby plants.

“A civil lawsuit filed against the companies in federal court in St. Louis last month alleged it might be impossible to properly follow the label. Restrictions on wind speed, for example, do not allow for timely sprayings over the top of growing soybeans, according to the complaint.”

The Reuters article added that, “Monsanto said that while its label is detailed, it is not difficult to follow.

“‘It uses very simple words and terms,’ Scott Partridge, Monsanto’s vice president of strategy, told Reuters. ‘They are not complex in a fashion that inhibits the ability of making a correct application.’

“BASF and DuPont could not immediately be reached for comment on the lawsuit on Friday.”

Associated Press writer Scott Smith reported last week that, “California is tightening the strictest rules in the nation on a pesticide that is popular with farmers over new health concerns, officials said Friday.

“Farmers use chlorpyrifos (klor-PHIR-e-fos) to kill pests that attack a wide variety of crops like grapes, almonds and cotton grown in California, the nation’s agricultural leader, as well as across the country.

“State officials are taking steps to put it on a list of chemicals known to be harmful to humans and to also increase the distance from schools and homes in which farmers can apply.”

The AP article noted that, “The moves run contrary to a decision by Scott Pruitt, the administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to end his agency’s effort to ban the pesticide sold by Dow Chemical after federal scientists concluded it can interfere with the brain development of fetuses and infants.

“Pruitt told Congress in June his decision was based on ‘meaningful data and meaningful science.’ Pruitt’s staff has thus far declined to provide details of what information Pruitt reviewed before making his decision.