In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (https://ushbc.blueberry.org (USHBC)) and the North American Blueberry Council (https://nabc.blueberry.org (NABC)), is joined by https://integrativebiology.natsci.msu.edu/about/directory/lindell-catherine/ (Catherine Lindell, Ph.D)., Associate Professor at the Center for Integrative Biology where she also serves as Graduate Program Director. Alongside her research team, she combines theoretical and applied approaches to the study of the behavior and ecology of birds and the roles of birds in ecological functions and ecosystem services. They are both joined by Larry Bodtke, blueberry grower and partner at https://www.cornerstoneag-llc.com/home-english/ (Cornerstone Ag) to discuss the producer's perspective on bird abatement. Bird management is an important and sometimes overlooked part of growing blueberries. The impact of bird populations on blueberry crops has been especially severe in the southeast this year. Our guests in this episode discuss strategies for managing birds in blueberry fields. “We could easily lose 10 or 15% of a crop in a field if we didn't do anything with birds….it not only affects your yields but the quality of your pack too….you just have to be out in your fields, be aware of what kind of bird pressure you've got, the timing it hits. And then you just have to search out these different methods of chasing birds away that work best for you, that's affordable for you and that makes economic sense to you.” - Larry Bodtke “We're really interested in figuring out which types of techniques are effective in deterring bird damage. And it's a tricky problem because birds are very mobile. So if you scare them away from your field and all the growers know this, they'll probably go to your neighbor's field so it would be helpful to install some kind of landscape level approaches if you can get some kind of cooperation like that. So mainly, it's [figuring out] which techniques are effective and are there any downsides to particular techniques too?” - Dr. Catherine Lindell Topics covered include: A discussion with https://integrativebiology.natsci.msu.edu/about/directory/lindell-catherine/ (Dr. Catherine Lindell, Ph.D)., Associate Professor at the Center for Integrative Biology, and Larry Bodtke, blueberry grower and partner at https://www.cornerstoneag-llc.com/home-english/ (Cornerstone Ag) to discuss the bird pressure on blueberry producers Ongoing research and best management practices that mitigate bird pressure New approaches and technologies that can deter bird encroachment on blueberry fields Crop Report The Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout important blueberry growing areas. In this episode, you’ll hear from Matt Macrie in New Jersey, Rex Schultz in Michigan, Doug Krahmer in Oregon, Bryan Sakuma in Washington and Nestor Vega in Mexico. This was recorded on July 20, 2022. Blueberry Boost Acknowledge your blueberry industry heroes at the Blueberry Summit this fall in Nashville! USHBC/NABC vice president of engagement and education Amanda Griffin announces that nominations are open for the Duke Galletta Award and Alex Weatherbee Award. Click https://nabc.blueberry.org/ (HERE) to nominate your industry hero today.