Well it looks like it’s going to be a bumper crop this year for the Blueberry and Aronia triallers. The plants have developed well and are looking really healthy with excellent fruit laden branches.

Birds and the damage they do are one of the major problems faced by growers of any soft fruit, and following our experiences last year, we have to tackle the threat this year so that the berries can be harvested for product development trials. There are many different types of ready made cages, netting, hoops, pegs, lines, drapes etc. on the market at different prices and we have decided on 3 different types for the trial. This will enable us to ascertain which system will be the most suitable and economical way of protecting the fruit if it were done on a commercial scale.

So during the next couple of weeks we’ll be fighting with bird netting, sticking in hoops and jumping on pegs trying to get the systems up before the fruit ripens and the birds attack. Then hopefully, lots of fruit picking for the growers!

Hazel Jones
Cymad Agri-Innovation Officer

Soft Fruits

Ever since the idea of growing berries in Gwynedd was mentioned in the early days of Menterra, Cymad has been busy dealing with a number of enquiries from farmers anxious to learn more about this exciting new opportunity. It is likely that they had not considered the possibility befor, but by browsing through books and the web, one soon realises the commercial opportunities.

Blueberries, Chokeberries and Sea Buckthorn are the three crop berries that Menterra will be introducing in 2005 on some farms in the county. The project will provide technical and financial assistance to a limited number of farmers to grow the crops under the supervision of Cymad and the University of Wales Bangor.

Sea Buckthorn
The most observant amongst you may have observed the Sea Buckthorn growing along the A55 in Eastern Gwynedd. It's name is derived from it's tendency to thrive in coastal areas. It can grow up to 2-4 metres in height. The buckthorn is a delicious plant and grows in bush form and produces egg-shaped berries that are yellow or orange in colourand are up 1cm in length. The berries are still used to this day in some parts of Eastern Europe as food, juice and for their healing qualities.

During the next few months, the University and Cymad will be moving forward to identify suitable sites for growing the plant. Sand dune ecosystems will not be considered, because of the danger the Buckthorn could overrun all other vegetation in such sites.

BIC Innovation is at this time investigating marketing opportunities for the fruit. It is acknowledged that the berries are some of the most nutritious available, with levels of up to 600g of Vitamin C for every 100g of fruit. therefore some of the possible products include a range of functional foods, healing products and pharmaceutical material. It will be vital to process and add value to what is harvested locally, to ensure full economic benefits for the area.