Additional canes act as competition for the limited amount of light available. The use of primocane suppression eliminates much of the competition by reducing the number and height of the primocanes. With more light available you can now double the amount of fruiting canes which ultimately increases the yield dramatically. The system will vary depending on whether you are starting with a new planting or adapting an old. If an existing planting is being converted, you must decide which rows or blocks of raspberries you would like to primocane suppress and fruit this growing season.
Some growers mow every other row, while some alternate blocks.
Mowing alternate rows can discourage pickers from wandering and picking off adjacent rows. This separates your planting into two blocks that can be managed accordingly. If you are moving into a biennial management system from an existing planting do not mow half of your planting in the first year. There is an option to fruit all of your canes while still moving toward the biennial system. The yield potential during this transition year is large and should be taken advantage of.