prunings M
ost of us have become very aware of the “Superfuit” health benefits of
blueberries — antioxidants that researchers say can help slow the aging process and reduce the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease and loss of brain function — as well as condensed tannins that help prevent urinary tract infections, and anthyocyanin, a natural compound linked to reducing eyestrain. But wait, there’s more!
Supplemental blueberries for only 12 weeks may help older people who have early memory problems, says a new study from the U.S.
A daily drink of about 500 mL of blueberry juice was associated with improved learning and word list recall, as well as a suggestion of reduced depressive symptoms, according to findings published recently in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
The study is said to be the first human trial to assess the potential benefits of blueberries on brain function in older adults with increased risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s. The beneficial effects are thought to be linked to their flavonoid content. The exact way in which flavonoids affect the brain are unknown, but they have previously been shown to cross the blood brain barrier after dietary intake. It is believed they may exert their effects on learning and memory by enhancing existing neuronal connections, improving cellular communications and stimulating neuronal regeneration...
As our inaugural issue was going to
press, this winter’s weird weather was both welcomed and worrisome. Warmer and wetter may be nice for those who hate snow and ice with a passion, but it’s not always so nice for farmers.
By mid-January there didn’t appear to be any significant winter damage, but there was concern that higher than normal temperatures could cause problems, with buds starting to move on both raspberries and blues. In California, persistent rain heading into the third week of January was expected to hurt strawberry supplies as well as many of the row crop commodities. There was particular concern the situation could have a major effect on the Valentine’s
Day market “pull” during the first part of February.
On the upside of Valentine’s Day, a
farm in Tasmania is producing heart-shaped strawberries , and they’ve been in demand. Josh Engwerda, a 22-year-old graduate from Melbourne, thought up the idea of growing strawberries in moulds of the shape of heart. He first tested his plan by growing one strawberry inside a container that produced a perfect rectangle.“By now I’ve done about 32 versions on the computer. Seven of those got made into actual moulds,” he says. “The thing about it is it’s much more difficult than you think because strawberries obviously don’t grow naturally in heart shapes, so you learn through trial and error.” Engwerda could not convince any farmers to execute his idea despite testing out the plan until he found a partner in Tasmanian strawberry grower, David Warren. The finished product comes at a price, which is about $2-$2.50 per strawberry... The federal government is contributing $49,000 to the British Columbia Blueberry Council to help growers promote their products in key international markets. The money will support the council’s long-term business strategy, including market research and sending producers, processors and exporters to targeted international markets and trade shows to promote Canadian
blueberries to key buyers.
In 2008, exports of fresh cultivated blueberries from Canada amounted to 9,840 metric tons and were valued at $48 million. Canada also exported 21,621 metric tons of frozen cultivated blueberries worth around $81.5 million, bringing the total value of close to $130 million.
Some dates to remember: Feb. 17—Oregon Strawberry Commission Annual meeting, North Willamette Research and Extension Center, Aurora, OR. Contact Philip Gutt or call the commission office at 541-758-404. Feb. 24-26—North American Blueberry Commission and U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council meeting, Phoenix, AZ. Embassy Suites Hotel. Phoenix Airport at 44th St. Click on
www.blueberry.org/calendar.htm for the schedule, registration and other information. Feb. 24-26—North American Raspberry and Blackberry Conference, Monterey, CA. For further information, go to
www.raspberryblackberry.com. March 2-5 — Canadian
Horticultural Council annual general meeting in Quebec City. For details, go to
www.hortcouncil.ca/en/events/ annual-general-meeting.aspx March 3 — Oregon Raspberry and Blackberry Commission Grower Workshop, Wellspring Center in Woodburn. While there is no charge, food and space are limited, so call (503) 289-7287.
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