Research

In spring and summer, red raspberry growers are concentrated on growing a quality crop, getting it harvested and maximizing their income. Fall and winter are for vacationing, planning, going to meetings and workshops to meet with other growers, and learning about the results of the previous season’s research or new ways to grow a better crop. Perhaps there is new machinery on the market that offers new ways to harvest that could be used on their farm. Maybe there is new information about a pest insect or disease that will reduce a spray treatment or focus it for the most impact. There might be a new cultivar that shows promise.

Every year the Washington Red Raspberry Commission decides on the areas of research that the Board feels are most significant. Then, the Commission requests proposals from those who do research through the publication of an RFP (request for proposal). Though most research has traditionally been done by Land Grant University scientists, anyone can offer a proposal for consideration.

After the annual meeting held in December, the Commission decides on the amount of funds it can spend to support research. The Commission receives the proposals, and the Board chooses those they feel will benefit the industry the most. Board members are volunteers and it’s to their credit that they take the time and energy to sift through the proposals and deicide for the good of all Washington red raspberry growers.

See below for the latest priorities and research projects, as well as lists of proposals and reports.

Washington Red Raspberry Commission Research Priorities 2026

#1 Priorities

Mite Management – New tools for mite management, along with MRLs, with a focus on increased effectiveness and
shorter PHI.
Labor Saving Practices – Included pruning efficiency, public/private technology partnerships and harvester automation.
Cultivar Development – Key characteristics include summer bearing, high yielding, winter hardy, machine-harvestable, disease and virus resistant, and superior processed fruit quality, as well as season extension.
Spotted Wing Drosophila – Management options for control of SWD, including targeting larvae.
Foliar & Cane Diseases – Includes cane botrytis, spur blight, yellow rust, cane blight and powdery mildew.

#2 Priorities

Fruit Rot – Pre-harvest, post-harvest, and/or shelf life issues.
Cane Management – Including suppression and alternatives to Gramoxone.
Leafroller & Cutworm Management – Including tools for management during harvest.
Soil Fumigation Techniques and Alternatives – Methods to control soil pathogens (e.g., Phytophthora), nematodes (e.g., dagger) and weeds.
Weed Management – Including horsetail, poison hemlock, wild buckwheat, nightshade, watergrass, Japanese knotweed, curly dock and morning glory. Special interest in in-season post-emergent control.

#3 Priorities

Irrigation Management – Application techniques to improve plant health, crop yields and water use efficiency.
Snail Control – Understanding lifecycle and management strategies.
Soil Ecology – Biology, nutrient balance, and soil-borne pathogens and their effects on plant health and crop yields.
Thrips – Understand life cycle and control strategies
Root Weevils – Identify populations and control strategies.
Alternative Management Systems – Changes to planting densities, row spacing, trellising, etc. to improve fruit yield per linear foot of bed.
Nutrient Management – Update specs for timing, varieties, application techniques, calcium levels and nutrient balance.
Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) – Including residue decline curves and harmonization.
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) Control
Pest Management Impacts on Pollinators
BRIX Impacts from Fungicide and Fertility Programs
Viruses, Crumbly Fruit & Pollination
Fresh Marketing Viability

Call for 2026 Research Proposals

The WRRC is issuing a request for proposals for research in the upcoming year (January – December 2026). WRRC is interested in supporting projects that align with the current research priorities listed above. WRRC research grants are open to non-profit organizations, including commodity groups/associations and farmers’ groups, private enterprises such as pest consultants and food processors, university and extension programs.

The deadline for submission for proposals is December 12, 2025. WRRC reserves the right to consider proposals at their discretion outside of the RFP response period.

Proposals must be submitted by email to Gavin Willis by the deadline date. Funds for grants are limited, and the selection process is competitive. Final funding decisions for projects will be made in late January, and applicants will be notified shortly thereafter.

Proposals should utilize the fillable PDF form. Proposals should be self-explanatory and easy to understand. Each item in the proposal form must be addressed. Objectives for projects should be specific and measurable. For questions or clarifications, please contact Gavin Willis.

View the RFP

Download the Proposal Form

Ongoing Research Reports

Reports for current WRRC-funded research are due on December 12, 2025. Reports should
include the project number and title, the personnel involved and the reporting period, project
accomplishments, a brief summary of results, and a list of any resulting publications. Progress
reports for ongoing projects should report on the past year of work, and final reports for completed projects should report on the entire project. Progress reports shall be limited to one page, and final reports limited to three pages (not including figures and references).

Submit project reports by email in PDF format to Gavin Willis.

View the 2024 Research Results and 2025 Research Proposals

2025 Funded Research Projects

Plant Breeding / 53.96%

PROJECT TITLE	RESEARCHER(S)	APPROVED
Red Raspberry Breeding, Genetics and Clone Evaluation	Hoashi-Erhardt	$80,801
Cooperative raspberry testing and cultivar development	Hardigan	$7,000
WRRC Land and Management fees for variety plots		$55,000
Coordinated Regional on-farm Trials	NWBF – Walters	$5,296
Virus Testing of PNW raspberry breeding programs	Hardigan	$6,000
Red Raspberry Cultivar Development	Dossett	$10,000

Eptomology / 12.82%

PROJECT TITLE	RESEARCHER(S)	APPROVED
Two-Spotted Spider Mites in Red Raspberries	Schreiber	$15,000
Spotted Wing Drosophila Control with Sterile Insect Releases	Nottingham	$13,988
Monitoring Raspberry SWD Populations for Insecticide Resistance	Schreiber	$10,000

Weeds / 4.11%

PROJECT TITLE	RESEARCHER(S)	APPROVED
New Technology, Products for Raspberry Weed Management	Schreiber	$12,495
Management of weeds in the Polygonaceae family	Benedict	$9,272

Physiology / 6.39%

PROJECT TITLE	RESEARCHER(S)	APPROVED
Determining Leaf Nutrient Sufficiency Standards	DeVetter	$19,428

Pathology/Virology / 11.45%

PROJECT TITLE	RESEARCHER(S)	APPROVED
Extending the lifetime of plantings with novel post-plant nematicides	Walters	$5,445
Managing Cane Botrytis of Raspberry	Schreiber	$12,000
Control of Cane Blight in Red Raspberries	Schreiber	$17,372