In the warm, fertile farming region of Brits, a quiet revolution is taking place at Alphaberry - a blueberry farm proving that the future of berry production lies in smart, science-driven biological farming.

What started as a strawberry farm has transformed into a thriving blueberry operation, and at the heart of that transformation is a partnership built on trust, consistency, and real results: Alphaberry and RealIPM.

From Strawberries to Blueberries — and From Unregistered to Proven Biologicals

When Alphaberry farmed strawberries, they relied on Digitata, an unregistered biological. But when they shifted into blueberries, they needed to change.

They needed registered, tested, reliable biological products that could deliver results in a high-value export crop.
According to Farm Manager Inus Pretorius, none of the biological ranges they tried came close to what RealIPM offered.
So he ran his own trial, an 18-month test using a full RealIPM programme, with no chemicals.
The outcome?

The RealIPM block delivered equal fruit size and yield compared to the standard programme.
And it did so using only biologicals.

For Inus, that was proof enough:
RealIPM wasn’t just another biological company, they had products that worked.

A Precision IPM Programme That Keeps Pests Under Control

Today, Alphaberry relies on a targeted RealIPM pest management programme that protects both fruit quality and beneficial insects:

  • Real Metarhizium 69: Used to effectively manage thrips and mealybug, two of the most persistent blueberry pests.
  • Real Metarhizium 78: Provides strong suppression of bollworm, which can devastate young berries and reduce pack-out percentages.
  • Real Bacillus BS01: A biological powerhouse for controlling Botrytis, a major post-harvest and wet-season threat.

This, integrated programme means Alphaberry can maintain fruit quality even during peak pest pressure, without relying on heavy chemistry.

Plant Health: The Foundation of Big, Market-Ready Berries

For Inus, healthier plants produce better fruit, and plant strength is non-negotiable.

He’s seen excellent results from combining:

AminoK (supports plant resilience, stress tolerance and early growth) with Seabrix (a natural bio-stimulant boosting fruit set, vigour, and berry size).

Together, they keep Alphaberry’s plants strong, balanced and productive — especially important when chemical use is limited.

Working With Nature: Bees, Beneficials and the RealIPM Advantage

During April and May, when bees flood the orchards to pollinate the crop, chemical sprays cannot be used.

Fortunately, RealIPM’s biological range is bee-safe and beneficial-insect-friendly, allowing Alphaberry to keep protecting their crop even during peak pollination.

In previous seasons, Inus also released RealIPM’s beneficial insects, but over time he has fine-tuned his programme, now preferring more frequent applications of Real Metarhizium 69 for dependable control.

It’s a sign of an IPM programme maturing, knowing exactly what works, where it works, and when it works best.

Bigger Berries for Global Markets — and Why Size Matters

Every year, blueberry markets are becoming more demanding, especially in relation to berry size.

“In blueberries, size definitely matters,” explains Inus. “International markets are looking for bigger, year after year, and those expectations need to be met.”

Thanks to the farm’s integrated biological programme and strong plant health focus, Alphaberry is consistently producing the size and quality the market demands, without abandoning sustainability or crop safety.

Innovation With Purpose: Potted Plants and Water Efficiency Wins

Looking ahead, Inus plans to shift even more production into potted plants rather than in-ground growing. The result?

  • Faster production: fruit within one year
  • More uniform growth
  • Better root health management

He’s also excited about RealIPM’s Integrate, a breakthrough water-management product.

Used in the drippers, Integrate:

  • prevents waterlogging
  • improves infiltration in clay soils
  • stabilises EC levels
  • increases water-use efficiency

In fact, Alphaberry has improved its water performance from 10% to 30% water drainage, a major gain in both crop quality and resource savings.

A Partnership Rooted in Service, Science and Trust

Throughout their journey, one element has remained constant:
RealIPM’s commitment to service.

Whether it’s fine-tuning programmes, supporting trials, or helping navigate integrated programmes, RealIPM has worked side-by-side with Inus to build a reliable, export-ready biological system.

“RealIPM is consistent, reliable, and their biologicals simply work,” he says.