Survey of Organic Growers Toolbox:Survey of Organic Growers Toolbox:Information Gaps andInformation Gaps and

Research NeedsResearch Needs

Tom Pitts, Cascade Ag Services;Tom Pitts, Cascade Ag Services;Dain Craver, DAC ConsultingDain Craver, DAC Consulting

David Granatstein, WSUDavid Granatstein, WSU--TFRECTFRECNick Stephens, Columbia IPMNick Stephens, Columbia IPM

IntroductionIntroductionOrganic Research & The Funding TrailOrganic Research & The Funding Trail

Total fresh packed boxes plus processors Total fresh packed boxes plus processors multiplied by the assessment rate multiplied by the assessment rate equals total dollars generated by organic equals total dollars generated by organic fruit for research.fruit for research.

?? QUESTION ???? QUESTION ??How many research dollars are generated How many research dollars are generated by the assessments on organic fruit?by the assessments on organic fruit?

Organic Apples:Organic Apples:2010 estimate = 7.61 million 40 lb. boxes2010 estimate = 7.61 million 40 lb. boxesAssessment of $1 per tonAssessment of $1 per ton$152,200 generated by organic apples$152,200 generated by organic applesthis is 7.4% of total fresh crop this is 7.4% of total fresh crop

Yield: 20.6 bins/acYield: 20.6 bins/ac

Organic Pears:Organic Pears:2010 estimate = 778,920 44 lb. boxes 2010 estimate = 778,920 44 lb. boxes Assessment of $.031 per boxAssessment of $.031 per box$24,147 generated by organic pears$24,147 generated by organic pears

(roughly 4(roughly 4--4.5% of the total pear tonnage)4.5% of the total pear tonnage)

Yield: 16.8 tons/acYield: 16.8 tons/ac

Organic Cherries:Organic Cherries:2010 crop = 2234 tons2010 crop = 2234 tonsassessment $4 per tonassessment $4 per ton$8,936$8,936 generated by organic cherriesgenerated by organic cherries

Yield: 1.04 tons/acYield: 1.04 tons/ac

Total Dollar$Total Dollar$

$152,200 organic apples$152,200 organic apples++ $ 24,147 organic pears$ 24,147 organic pears++ $ 8,936 organic cherries$ 8,936 organic cherries== $185,283 funds from organic fruit for $185,283 funds from organic fruit for

researchresearch

Total tree fruit research assessments ~$3 million

Why does this matter?Why does this matter?Are you satisfied with how this money is Are you satisfied with how this money is being spent?being spent?Does WTFRC research benefit organic Does WTFRC research benefit organic growers?growers?Should there be organicShould there be organic--specific research?specific research?Do we need an organic research Do we need an organic research committee?committee?Is sufficient money generated by Is sufficient money generated by assessments on organic fruit to fund assessments on organic fruit to fund strictly organic research?strictly organic research?

Organic growers depend on Organic growers depend on ““crossovercrossover”” projectsprojects

Funded research is composed of very few Funded research is composed of very few purely organic projectspurely organic projectsMany conventional projects crossover and Many conventional projects crossover and benefit organic growersbenefit organic growers□□ insecticide evaluation trials: cherry fruit fly,insecticide evaluation trials: cherry fruit fly,

codling moth mating disruption codling moth mating disruption □□ biological control of pestsbiological control of pests□□ crop load managementcrop load management□□ rootstock and variety developmentrootstock and variety development

Strictly SpeakingStrictly Speaking……

OrganicOrganic--only projects must have specific only projects must have specific targets targets Must be highest priority for organic growersMust be highest priority for organic growersNot addressed by conventional/crossover Not addressed by conventional/crossover projects projects Develop priority listDevelop priority listCertain problems in the organic industry Certain problems in the organic industry warrant organic specific projects.warrant organic specific projects.

What are YOUR What are YOUR Priorities?Priorities?

Are you a:Are you a:

Gro

wer M

anag

er

Ag C

hem Fiel

dman

Ware

house

Fieldm

an

Extensio

n/Res

earch

er O

ther

39%

15%

22%

11%8%

5%

1.1. GrowerGrower2.2. ManagerManager3.3. Ag Ag ChemChem FieldmanFieldman4.4. Warehouse Warehouse FieldmanFieldman5.5. Extension/ResearcherExtension/Researcher6.6. OtherOther

What do you feel is the most limiting What do you feel is the most limiting factor in organic production?factor in organic production?

Inse

ct pes

t mg...

Dise

ase c

ontro...

Wee

d contro

l C

rop Loa

d mgt.

Soil Fert

ility

Varietal

mix

Post Harv

est D...

Roden

ts

25%

5%

22%

8%

5%

0%

24%

11%

1.1. Insect pest mgt.Insect pest mgt.2.2. Disease controlDisease control3.3. Weed controlWeed control4.4. Crop Load mgt.Crop Load mgt.5.5. Soil FertilitySoil Fertility6.6. Varietal mixVarietal mix7.7. Post Harvest Post Harvest

Disease ControlDisease Control8.8. RodentsRodents

FertilityFertilityHow frequently do you take soil How frequently do you take soil

samples?samples?

Once

a ye

ar

Once

every

2 ye

ars

Once

every

3 ye

ars

Once

every

4 -5

years

Nev

er

57%

14% 12%7%

11%

1.1. Once a yearOnce a year2.2. Once every 2 yearsOnce every 2 years3.3. Once every 3 yearsOnce every 3 years4.4. Once every 4 Once every 4 --5 5

yearsyears5.5. Never Never

How frequently do you take leaf How frequently do you take leaf samples?samples?

Once

a ye

ar Twice

a ye

ar O

nce ev

ery 2

y...

Once

every

3 y..

.

Nev

er

35%

6%

41%

8%10%

1.1. Once a yearOnce a year2.2. Twice a yearTwice a year3.3. Once every 2 Once every 2

yearsyears4.4. Once every 3 Once every 3

yearsyears5.5. Never Never

Who determines your annual N rate Who determines your annual N rate and form?and form?

Self C

onsulta

nt Priv

ate Lab

Extensio

n/Res

e...

50%

4%6%

40%1.1. SelfSelf2.2. ConsultantConsultant3.3. Private LabPrivate Lab4.4. Extension/ResearcherExtension/Researcher

What are your main forms of N for soil What are your main forms of N for soil application? (Choose up to 3, in order)application? (Choose up to 3, in order)

Feather

Meal

Fish

Composte

d chic

...

Composte

d stee

... B

lood Mea

l O

ther

22%

15%

6%

18%

9%

29%1.1. Feather MealFeather Meal2.2. FishFish3.3. Composted Composted

chicken / DPWchicken / DPW4.4. Composted steerComposted steer5.5. Blood Meal Blood Meal 6.6. OtherOther

How much total Nitrogen in your How much total Nitrogen in your amendments do you apply annually to amendments do you apply annually to

the soil?the soil?

None

0 - 5

0 lbs

51 - 1

00 lb

s 10

0 -12

5 lbs

More

than 12

5 ...

3%

11% 10%

19%

57%1.1. NoneNone2.2. 0 0 -- 50 lbs50 lbs3.3. 51 51 -- 100 lbs100 lbs4.4. 100 100 --125 lbs125 lbs5.5. More than 125 lbs More than 125 lbs

1000 lbs of 1000 lbs of feathermealfeathermeal (12% N) (12% N) contains 120 lb N. How much of this contains 120 lb N. How much of this

do you count towards the current year do you count towards the current year crop?crop?

All o

f it 75

% of it 50

% of it 25

% of it

None

Don’t k

now

14%12%

19%

0%

14%

41%

1.1. All of itAll of it2.2. 75% of it75% of it3.3. 50% of it50% of it4.4. 25% of it25% of it5.5. NoneNone6.6. DonDon’’t knowt know

Do you use the Organic Fertilizer Do you use the Organic Fertilizer Calculator (OFC) to help you determine Calculator (OFC) to help you determine

your Soil N needs?your Soil N needs?

Yes No

I don’t k

now a.

..

20%

54%

26%

1.1. YesYes2.2. NoNo3.3. I donI don’’t know about t know about

the OFCthe OFC

http://smallfarms.oregonstate.edu/calculator

What are your top 3 (in order) sources What are your top 3 (in order) sources of information for developing fertility of information for developing fertility

program?program?

Books

, Mag

azi...

Winter

mee

ting...

Other

grow

ers C

onsulta

nts

Extensio

n pubs

Compan

y info /..

. In

ternet

13% 11%

16%

7%

11%11%

31%1.1. Books, MagazinesBooks, Magazines2.2. Winter meetingsWinter meetings3.3. Other growersOther growers4.4. ConsultantsConsultants5.5. Extension pubsExtension pubs6.6. Company info / repsCompany info / reps7.7. InternetInternet

Do you seed legume cover crops to Do you seed legume cover crops to supply N?supply N?

Yes No

49%

51%1.1. YesYes2.2. NoNo

Pest ManagementPest ManagementWould you use an organic version of the Would you use an organic version of the spray guide for Crop Pest Management?spray guide for Crop Pest Management?

Yes No

I don’t k

now

80%

8%13%

1.1. YesYes2.2. NoNo3.3. I donI don’’t knowt know

How would you rate the severity of your How would you rate the severity of your vole and gopher problem in your vole and gopher problem in your

orchard?orchard?

No Pro

blem A

nnoying

Mode

rate p

robl.

..

Severe

Extrem

e

7%

28%

3%

22%

40%

1.1. No ProblemNo Problem2.2. AnnoyingAnnoying3.3. Moderate problemModerate problem4.4. SevereSevere5.5. Extreme Extreme

What is your primary weed control in the What is your primary weed control in the tree row? (choose top 2, in order)tree row? (choose top 2, in order)

Nothing

Wonder

Weeder

Wee

d Badge

r H

and R

emova

l Flam

ing W

eed fa

bric

Other

mulch

Mowing

4%

34%

13% 12%

5%5%

8%

18%

1.1. NothingNothing2.2. Wonder Wonder WeederWeeder3.3. Weed BadgerWeed Badger4.4. Hand RemovalHand Removal5.5. FlamingFlaming6.6. Weed fabricWeed fabric7.7. Other mulchOther mulch8.8. MowingMowing

““Enhancing WesternEnhancing Western Biological ControlBiological Control””(Vince Jones) is a large project that will (Vince Jones) is a large project that will

likely benefit your organic orchard. likely benefit your organic orchard. Have you heard of it?Have you heard of it?

Yes No

68%

32%

1.1. YesYes2.2. No No

Are you able to successfully manage Are you able to successfully manage Pear Rust mites?Pear Rust mites?

Yes No

44%

56%1.1. YesYes2.2. No No

Are you able to successfully manage Are you able to successfully manage Pear Pear PsyllaPsylla??

Yes No

34%

66%1.1. YesYes2.2. NoNo

Do you think you can control Spotted Do you think you can control Spotted Wing Drosophila in cherries using Wing Drosophila in cherries using

organic methods?organic methods?

Yes No

Don’t k

now

19%

45%

36%

1.1. YesYes2.2. NoNo3.3. DonDon’’t know t know

How would you rate your control of How would you rate your control of Cherry Powdery MildewCherry Powdery Mildew ??

Excell

ent

Very G

ood

Good Fair

Poor

14%18%

10%10%

48%1.1. ExcellentExcellent2.2. Very GoodVery Good3.3. GoodGood4.4. FairFair5.5. Poor Poor

How would you rate your control of How would you rate your control of Black Cherry Aphid?Black Cherry Aphid?

Excell

ent

Very G

ood

Good Fair

Poor

7%

22% 22%

33%

16%

1.1. ExcellentExcellent2.2. Very GoodVery Good3.3. GoodGood4.4. FairFair5.5. PoorPoor

Rank these organicRank these organic--specific research specific research needs for priority of funding (top 3, in needs for priority of funding (top 3, in

order):order):

Nitr

ogen fe

rti...

Voles / g

opher...

Spotted w

ing d...

Post ha

rvest

d... W

eeds

Fire blig

ht

22%

15% 16%14%

11%

22%1.1. Nitrogen fertilityNitrogen fertility2.2. Voles / gopher Voles / gopher

controlcontrol3.3. Spotted wing Spotted wing

drosophiladrosophila4.4. Post harvest Post harvest

diseasesdiseases5.5. WeedsWeeds66. Fire blightFire blight

Thank You !!