International Blueberry Conference 2023 – Program

This is an event for all blueberry growers. A large amount of knowledge about blueberries, 15 lectures, presentations by growers and scientists. Be with us on March 9th and 10th.

 

Plenary program – 9th March, 2023 (9:00-17:50)

Hotel Mazurkas****, Ożarów Mazowiecki

Part I

9.00-9.15 Official opening of the Conference

9.15-9.35 Do we already know everything about blueberry pests? Observations and conclusions from recent years – Dr. Wojciech Piotrowski, National Institute of Horticultural Research in Skierniewice, Poland

9.35-9.55 Plant response to stress factors. Possibilities of effective prevention in the fight for the highest quality – Bartłomiej Drzazga, Timac Agro Poland

9.55-10.15 How to effectively control the most important/severe blueberry diseases? – Prof. dr. Joanna Puławska, National Institute of Horticultural Research in Skierniewice, Poland

10.15-10.35 Blueberry sustainable protection program – Krzysztof Krupa, Syngenta Poland

10.35-10.55 Trends in cultivation, or how to get more from a hectare – Mariusz Padewski Fall Creek, Poland

10.55-11.00 Summary

11.00-12.00 Coffee break

Part II

12.00 -12.20 The first evaluation/assessment of blueberry cultivars in the Blueberry Factory project – Dr. Paweł Krawiec, Horti Team/Mariusz Podymniak, jagodnik.pl, Poland

12.20-12.40 Proper selection of nutrients guarantees a good crop/fruit yield – Michał Wojcieszek, Yara Poland

12.40 -13.00 Quality evaluations and requirements at harvest and postharvest for new cultivars of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) – Prof. Lara Giongo, Italy

13.00-13.20 Fall Creek Collection – data about new varieties – Marcin Wereszczuk, Fall Creek, Poland

13.20-13.40 What do we know about off-type blueberries and the behavior of plants on plantations – Felix Koschnick, LWK Niedersachsen, Germany

13.40 – 13.50 Summary

13.50-15.00 Lunch break

Part III

15.00-15.30 Debate – Who will pick blueberries in Europe?

Analysis of the labor market, employment opportunities for foreigners, including employees from distant countries. Participants include representatives of growers, a representative of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, a representative of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, examples from European countries ….

Conducting a debate –  Dominika Kozarzewska, Polish Berry Cooperative/Berry Core Team, Poland

15.30-15.40 International Blueberry Organization Conference – we invite you to Poland – Dominika Kozarzewska, Polish Berry Cooperative/Berry Core Team, Poland

15.40 – 16.00 Why is the blueberry world visiting Poland? It’s time for 7 answers – Maciej Dolata, INSPIRE smarter branding, Time for Polish Superfruits! Poland

16.00-16.20 Cost control as a way to higher profits – Krzysztof Żabówka, Daifressh Berry, Poland

16.20-16.40 Sorting systems for blueberries – Unitec, Italy

16.40-17.00 Blueberry market in Europe. Current customer requirements and directions of evolution – Thomas Drahorad, NCX Drahorad, Italy

17.00 -17.30 Fertigation and soil management of blueberries: tips for successful production –Dr. David Bryla, Research Horticulturist at the USDA-ARS Horticultural Crops Production and Genetic Improvement Research Unit in Corvallis, Oregon, USA

17.30-17.40 Discussion and summary

17.40 -17.50 Closing remarks

19.30 Gala dinner – Mazurkas Hotel

 

10th March, 2023 (10:00-15:00)

Outdoor meeting at a blueberry plantation BOKO – Brzeska Wola (near Białobrzegi nad Pilica). Travel time by car from the hotel – 1 hour, distance 80 km

  • Workshop on the practical blueberry pruning – Mariusz Padewski, Marcin Wereszczuk, Fall Creek, Poland
  • Workshop on the practical blueberry pruning – Leon Schrijnwerkers, Schrijnwerkers Plants, Netherlands
  • Demonstration of machines for maintaing of blueberry plantations
  • Visiting the packaging and cold store with an overview of the blueberry sorting line

Refreshments – a hot meal

Lectures will be simultaneously translated in Polish / English / Polish.

Buy a ticket and register your participation

Reservation of rooms at the Mazurkas Hotel is done individually. You can get a discount on accommodation during the Conference (March 8-10, 2023) with the password Konferencja Blueberry. More information

International Blueberry Conference 2023 – Program