ROSE HILL AGROFORESTRY

Haskap is the most exciting alternative new agricultural crop to hit the prairies.  The potential Japanese market for fruit from the new U of S varieties is pulling the introduction of Haskap to farm orchards, and could double the economic benefits of fruit production in Saskatchewan.  Rose Hill Agroforestry is involved in the research, development, propagation and marketing of Haskap.

What IS HASKAP?

Haskap is the Japanese name for Lonicera caerulea.  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 these new plants is far superior to other varieties of blue honeysuckle available in Canada.

Growing Haskap

Haskap is a crop that starts growing  often when the snow is still on the ground.   The plants are extremely hardy, showing no damage at -47C.  Lab tests showed that flowers can stand -7C, thus late frosts are highly unlikely to effect yield.  Crops are ready to harvest mid June.  Mechanical harvesting is possible with the same equipment that can be used on sour cherries and saskatoons. 

    Rose Hill Agroforestry markets the new U of S varieties Propagated by Parkland Agroforestry Products Inc.