April 10, 2007

 

Haskap -- An exciting New Fruit Crop

What is Haskap?

            Haskap is the Japanese name for Lonicera caerulea.  The original varieties of Blue Honeysuckle distributed in Canada often produced a small and sometimes bitter fruit.  Some of the names used for these older varieties are Blue Honeysuckle, Honeyberry, Edible Honeysuckle, and Sweet Berry.  These, and other older varieties, probably should not be referred to as Haskap because they have no lineage in common with the Japanese varieties, and their characteristics are not as desirable.  The Japanese varieties are rounder and larger with a more pleasant taste.  The new varieties developed by the University of Saskatchewan under the direction of Dr. Bob Bors are being branded as Haskap because the Japanese cooperators consider them to be of high enough quality to be used in the Japanese market, and because these new releases are descendant partly from Lonicera from the Kuril Islands which once were part of Japan.  The fruit from the new releases is far superior to varieties currently available in Canada, being larger and tastier while possessing uniform ripening which makes harvesting much easier.

 

When Will the New Releases be Ready for Field Planting?

            The new releases are being reproduced now in micro propagation.  The summer of 2007, the first batches will be rooted and grown in greenhouses, and some will be ready for planting into gardens, plots, and orchards by fall.  More will be ready for planting in the spring of 2008.  It will not be until the fall of 2008 or later that there will likely be enough plants to meet the market demand.  Some will prefer to contract with the nursery to have the plants grown for another year before field planting.

 

Some Notes on Husbandry.

            Haskap has very few insect pests, and none identified as commercially significant.  It is therefore a worthwhile crop to consider for organic production.  Haskap ripens about three weeks before Strawberry season, and harvesting does not interfere with the harvest of other crops.  The new variety ‘Tundra’ (9-84) lends itself to mechanical harvesting, and being firmer than most other honeysuckles, it is an easier berry to handle.  The new variety ‘Borealis’ (9-94) is more delicate but has the largest fruit.  Borealis will probably be the favorite choice for u-pick operations.  All the recent University of Saskatchewan releases have a longer harvest window and the crop is not destroyed by a few days of increment weather.  The plants themselves are extremely hardy showing no winter damage at -47C.  Lab tests showed that flowers can withstand -7C and new foliage can withstand -18C, thus late frosts are highly unlikely to affect yield.

            One enemy of the crop is song birds.  At this point we do not know what the losses might be in large fields, but in gardens and small plots, it may be necessary to protect the fruit from bird damage.  Fortunately, bird netting is cheap.  And there is a side benefit -- the trees around your place will be just a singing!

            One problem facing producers at this time is that there is not a lot of information on the best methods to plant and manage the plantation.  Rose Hill Agroforestry is working with the University of Saskatchewan to test various theories as to best soil types, slopes, cultivation methods, drainage, and other practices.  This is a four year program that should benefit the whole industry.  There should be some results before the new Haskap varieties are ready to plant in the fall of 2008. 

           

 

A few things we do know.

            1.  Plant deep.  Haskap usually does not sucker.  It develops shoots off the main stem similar to some Saskatoons and sour cherries, and these shoots should develop from below ground level for best production.  A seedling should be 25 cm (10") tall to plant into a plantation for maximum fruit production and planted at least 11 cm (4 1/2") deeper than it was in the nursery.  As the plant matures, it may be beneficial to prune some of the older shoots to let more air and light into the bush.  If the plant was planted too shallow, it may grow more like a "tree".  Then proper pruning may not be an option.  A properly planted and cared for Haskap bush should produce quality fruit in abundance for 50 years or more

            2.  Watch the wind.  Plants grow better if they are not stressed by high winds.  Haskap is pollinated by bees, so shelter is good.  There are at least four kinds of wild bees that inhabit shelter belts which will pollinate Haskap, even in cold weather.  Also, when the fruit is ripe, high winds may cause some "pre-mature fall off", although in trials the fruit does hold on quite well, and stays fresh on the bush longer than other fruits.

            3.  Moisture levels and irrigation.  The growing habit of Haskap is unique.  Often plants will start to green up and grow before the snow is gone in the spring.  They set fruit very early for a harvest mid June.  Haskap likes to grow rapidly in June and stops growing taller by mid July.  Plants often go dormant by mid August. More testing needs to be done, but we suggest the best "watering" practice would be lots of water real early,  nice "fruit picking weather", then more water until August to get as long a season as possible for plant and root growth, then drier weather for hardening off in dormancy.  Then they do best with lots of snow for winter.

            4.  Spacing and Variety Mix.  Haskap needs to cross pollinate with a compatible variety.  Tests are being done in the lab right now to get the right mix, and more results will be available by 2008.  We suggest keeping the same variety in each row if you plan to mechanical harvest at some time.  (Even for u-pick, your operation may be easier to control if all the berries in each row are the same.)  You may want to use more than two varieties in your plantation to increase the odds of maximum production.  Future market demands most likely will want a consistent product, so it is best not to mix varieties in a row, but to have several varieties available for different markets.  In some situations, it may be best to leave row space for future releases to be planted in the same orchard rather than start a new orchard when new releases become available.  Rows used as pollinator rows can be planted a year later than the main crop without any loss of production.

 

The Market.

            The new U of S Haskap is an extremely versatile berry, and can possibly be used in more products than any other fruit.  It is also one of the healthiest fruits, very rich in anti-oxidants, vitamin C, phenolic compounds, and anthocyanins,  making it a desirable berry for health products.

            This may be the first commercially viable agricultural crop to be driven by market demand.  According to some calculations, the Japanese demand from one company alone for one market on one island would require up to 1800 acres in production, adding an estimated $60,000,000 to the economy.  And the "parkland areas" of Canada may have some of the best habitat in the world for the production of this crop.  Wild Lonicera caerulea can be found in the Canadian boreal forests so these plants are adapted to a similar climatic zone.  (Most parkland areas were once part of the boreal forest that was cleared decades ago.) 

            International markets require cooperative effort, and lead time to get production figures up to exportable numbers.  It takes about forty acres of crop land being worked cooperatively in a community to produce viable export numbers.  In the meantime, the berries lend themselves to very economical and rapid incorporation into existing berry processing.  The berry has a seed that is not evident when processed or when eaten fresh.  Haskap is very rich and sweet, making it a practical substitute in almost any recipe.  Its flavor is unique and very pleasant, sometimes described as a pleasant cross between raspberry and blueberry, so it will soon create its own niche in the local market place.  Haskap is relatively easy to harvest, process, ship, and store.

            Rose Hill Agroforestry is actively pursuing the Japanese market and is supporting a delegation, including one researcher from the University of Saskatchewan, to visit Japan this year and to evaluate additional market opportunities.  A delegation met with a government food scientist from Japan last fall who plans to return to Canada to study the health and food qualities of Canadian Haskap for three months in 2007.

 

Some Cautionary Advice.

            "There are a trainload of questions, and a teaspoonful of answers, though the train is getting smaller, and the teaspoon is getting bigger."  Adding Haskap to your orchard is not quite the same as adding a new variety of wheat to a grain farm.  There are a lot of things to learn, and as the industry gains experience it may learn of better ways to do the same thing.  And individual markets take time to develop and mature.  It may be better to start relatively small, and let your business grow as you expand your plantation and market each year.  It is also better to start with a few larger quality plants than a lot of small inferior plants.

 

Availability of New U of S Variety Releases.

            The University of Saskatchewan has licensed a number of propagators to multiply and distribute the new U of S varieties.  Because this is a new crop with a high demand, propagators are trying to get the maximum production as early as possible.

 

Who Is Rose Hill Agroforestry?

            Rose Hill Agroforestry is the business of Elwood and Jean Wenig.  Elwood has a major in Horticulture, is a member of Saskatchewan Fruit Growers Association, Canadian Cherry Producers Inc., Poplar Council of Canada, Weldon Wildlife Federation, a director of Parkland Agroforestry Products Inc., president of Weldon Cooperative Care Home Inc., the chairperson of the Haskap Project Committee, and co-founder of Haskap Canada Association.  Jean has a business diploma, and had spent 23 years as president of Image Extension School Inc. for home-based educators.  She worked for several years with the Saskatchewan Advisory Committee for home-based education.  Both Elwood and Jean have a mixed farming background, and thoroughly understand the challenges of farming and rural living.  Elwood and Jean have worked with the development and promotion of the Haskap industry in Saskatchewan since 2003.

            Rose Hill Agroforestry (the Wenigs) will give you sound, practical advice based upon years of "feet on the ground" agricultural experience.  Elwood and Jean are very active on their own farm testing new crops and techniques.  They are part of the research and crop development programs of Parkland Agroforestry Products Inc., and work with, and volunteer time to the fruit breeding program of the University of Saskatchewan.  The Wenig's primary goal is to see the Haskap industry take root in Canada, and to see it grow and flourish.  Marketing Haskap plants is a means whereby they can assure growers that they are going to have quality plants and tested information for the best chance of success.   They want to help you get started with this exiting new crop.  If pricing and terms do not meet your needs, please talk to them.    They will appreciate your business, and you will appreciate the support. If you have any questions, or would like to share some of your experiences, please contact:

            Rose Hill Agroforestry, Box 95, Weldon, Saskatchewan, S0J 3A0,

            Phone: 306-864-3231, email: haskapsales@hotmail.com

            Web site:  Rosehillagroforestry.com

 

 

Companion Crops.

            Raising companion crops reduces the risk associated with potential crop and market failures.  Three excellent companion crops to Haskap are Raspberries, Saskatoons, and Sour Cherries.  They can all be worked, harvested, stored, and processed with much of the same equipment and the same labour force.  Harvest dates do not overlap, spreading the tasks throughout the season.

 

Some Other Helpfull Web Sites. 

                        http://www.rosehillagroforestry.com

                        http://www.usask.ca/agriculture/plantsci/dom_fruit/index.html

                        http://www.haskap.ca/

                        http://www.parklandagroforestry.com/haskap.htm

            Try looking up Haskap, Haskappu, blue honeysuckle, honeyberry, edible blue honeysuckle, sweet honey suckle, and some of the other older names for blue honeysuckle.  A lot of the sites are from Japan, which shows the extent of their high interest.

 

Tribute.

            Rose Hill Agroforestry extends a special tribute to Dr. Bob Bors for his work in the development of the new varieties of Haskap at the University of Saskatchewan, and the contribution to that work by Maxine Thompson of Oregon.  Dr. Bob's contribution to the Haskap industry could double the fruit industry in Saskatchewan, add $60,000,000 to the economy of the province, provide up to 3,000 full and part time jobs, and provide a means to salvage many struggling rural farms.  Haskap is the most exciting new crop ever to come to the prairies.  Dr. Bors' work has had a major influence on, or he has been a direct contributor to, almost everything that has been done or written about Haskap in Canada, including much of the information in this newsletter

 

Copyright 2007.  This article may be freely circulated in its entirety.  This newsletter may NOT be reproduced IN PART by any means without the express written approval of Elwood or Jean Wenig.