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Limiting Bird Damage to Fruit Crops. A Specialty Crop Research Initiative Project Funded by the USDA. September 2011 – November 2014 . http://birddamagetofruitcrops.info/. Objectives. Quantify cost of damage to: p roducers c onsumers r egional economies
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Limiting Bird Damage to Fruit Crops A Specialty Crop Research Initiative Project Funded by the USDA September 2011 – November 2014
Objectives • Quantify cost of damage to: • producers • consumers • regional economies • Determine how damage varies spatially • Identify damage level by species • Investigate consumer responses and effects on marketing • Test management strategies
Our Partners Pacific Northwest Trinity Western University, Oregon State University, Washington State University New York Cornell University Michigan Michigan State University Center for Global Change and Earth Observations Colorado USDA-APHIS: National Wildlife Research Center Clipart: Worldatlas.com
Early Bloom Normal Max Normal Mean Normal Min 26°F 2012 Temperature Observed Max Observed Min • Freezing Events • 15 – 20 nights below freezing • Over 90% of tart cherry crop lost • Source: MSU Extension http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/with_a_backwards_spring_mother_nature_pitches_a_change-up_after_a_fastball • Warmest March in Michigan History • March 2012 Mean: 44.4°F • March Average: 30.7°F
Low Fruit Count • Crop failure combined with random sampling led to low fruit abundance in many blocks
Data Collection Intact • 1 randomly selected branch per tree (1 meter long) Missing Damaged 12 randomly selected trees per stratum
Data Analysis • Ultimately we will compare damage levels across regions and years • Percent damage on edges and interior • Weighted overall average percent damage • Accounts for proportion of the block each stratum covers
Tart Cherries Based on 10 Sites
Sweet Cherries Based on 24 Sites
What’s Next • Continued data analysis • Field data from our partners is in • Share findings with growers • Consumer response research • Bird damage management research
Take-home messages Birds are causing significant losses of both sweet and tart cherries We need to determine whether data are representative of more typical years Levels and patterns of damage will aid in development of effective management techniques